THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 29, 1996 TAG: 9609270248
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORT EDITOR
LENGTH: 66 lines
THROUGH THE 82 years Wilson High School has fielded a football team, more than 3,000 athletes have played for the Presidents.
It's likely that not one of them was the size of current running back LaShawn Henderson.
Henderson isn't a 6-foot-6, 290-pounder.
Quite the contrary.
He's believed to be the smallest player Wilson has ever had. It's doubtful that any varsity starter on Group AAA teams in South Hampton Roads has ever stood shorter than Henderson.
Wilson's Mighty Mite is 4 feet 11 and weighs 125 pounds.
Henderson disputes the game program figures.
``I'm nearer 5-foot than I am 4-11,'' he said with a grin. ``And my weight is up to 130 now.''
Make no mistake, however. He's a leader on the Wilson team and his teammates look up to him.
``If everybody on our team had the desire and the heart of LaShawn Henderson, we would have a state championship team,'' said Wilson assistant coach Dwayne Beale. The undermanned Presidents, with a squad numbering just 30, including five freshmen, are 0-4.
A senior, Henderson is playing his second season on the varsity after a two-year stint on the junior varsity.
``I almost underestimated this guy when he came out because of his size,'' said Wilson head coach Jenson Baker. ``When he first came out the doctors had marked junior varsity beside his name because of his size. But he plays 10 feet tall.''
In Wilson's first three games he netted 26 yards in 16 carries. He had two pass catches for six yards. Not earth-shaking achievements by any means but when it is considered that the Presidents rushed for only 201 yards in those games and the team leader was Michael Hargrave with 72, it clearly shows he's carrying his weight.
Henderson plays no other sports and has been competing in football since he was 11 years old, when he began playing in the recreation league at Deep Creek.
``I started out as a defensive end,'' he said. ``Then I moved to running back and defensive back and I have been a back ever since.
``You can't be scared just because everybody else is bigger than you.
``I want to get my hands on the ball. I don't care whether it's running with it or catching passes.
``I use my quickness and there aren't many who can outrun me.''
Henderson was clocked at 4.7 seconds over 40 yards at practice. ``And I'm taking three steps when everybody else is taking two,'' he pointed out.
Henderson figures he has an advantage if Wilson has a goal-line scoring opportunity. ``They can give me the ball and put me behind some of the bigger guys. The other team can't see me.''
He has never had a major injury.
In the Deep Creek game when about 1,000 pounds of flesh piled on him in a run up the middle, he had the wind knocked out of him.
``Just because everybody else is bigger doesn't bother me a bit,'' he said. ``I just love football.''
And since he doesn't play other sports, his athletic career probably will end when this senior season winds up.
``Oh, no,'' said Henderson. ``I'm going to play in college.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Wilson's LaShawn Henderson is just 4 feet 11 and weighs 130 pounds,
but Coach Jenson Baker says he plays ``10 feet tall.''
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL by CNB