THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250752
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 223 lines
It's been almost 30 years since a Norcom-Booker T. Washington football game meant more than bragging rights between the schools. But with redistricting this season, tonight's game at Booker T. could determine the Eastern District champion.
Norcom, ranked No. 3, is 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the district. Booker T., ranked fifth, is 5-2 and 4-0. Booker T. athletic director Charles Harvin is expecting an overflow crowd at the Bookers' new 2,500-seat stadium.
The series, one of the oldest in the area, is tied at 30-30-3.
Elsewhere, sixth-ranked Tallwood puts its share of the Beach District lead on the line at No. 8 Ocean Lakes. Tallwood has won the previous two meetings by a combined 90-6 and is the only Beach District school never to lose to the Dolphins.
In the Southeastern District, top-ranked Deep Creek and No. 2 Indian River face their final tuneups before next week's showdown. The Hornets visit Great Bridge and the Braves are at Lakeland.
No. 1 Deep Creek
at Great Bridge
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Colon Hall Stadium
Records: Deep Creek 7-0, 4-0; Great Bridge 1-6, 1-3
Last year's result: Deep Creek won 34-0
Outlook: Deep Creek shoots for its 30th consecutive regular-season victory and fourth in a row over the Wildcats. The Hornets are unscored upon on the road, but may be without linebacker Henry Martin, who injured a shoulder against Lakeland. Deep Creek has forced 26 turnovers and leads the area in turnover differential at plus-13. Great Bridge is coming off a 43-7 win over Nansemond River and has a hot quarterback in Chris Duda, but the Wildcats have had trouble protecting him.
Pick: Deep Creek 31-6
No. 2 Indian River
at Lakeland
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Lakeland
Records: Indian River 6-0, 4-0; Lakeland 5-2, 2-2
Last year's result: Did not meet
Outlook: Lakeland's best chance is to control the ball, but that doesn't work against Indian River. The Braves scored 59 points in only 29 offensive plays last week against Hickory. Sophomore quarterback Antwan Stukes has rushed for 152 yards in two starts. Lakeland has allowed only 27 points in its five victories but 88 in its two losses.
Pick: Indian River 44-6
No. 3 Norcom
at No. 5 Booker T.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Booker T. Washington
Records: Norcom 6-1, 4-0; BTW 5-2, 4-0
Last year's result: Norcom won by forfeit
Outlook: Booker T. has allowed only six points in district play while Norcom has scored 117. The Greyhounds don't figure to drive the ball, so it could come down to big plays. Norcom's Kevin Jones is having a great year passing and makes use of his wideouts backs as well as the tight end. It's hard to cover all those targets, so the Bookers will need to get pressure on the quarterback. When Booker T. has the ball, look for it to run straight at Norcom while occasionally challenging the Greyhounds' small corners deep.
Pick: Norcom 14-7
Cox
at No. 4 Kempsville
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Kempsville
Records: Cox 4-3, 3-3; Kempsville 6-1, 5-1
Last year's result: Kempsville won 31-20
Outlook: Cox is coming off an overtime loss to archrival First Colonial that probably eliminated the Falcons from title contention. Meanwhile Kempsville has won five in a row behind the area's top rushing attack. Cox has run the ball well, too, but Kempsville has the best run defense in the district.
Pick: Kempsville 27-13
No. 6 Tallwood
at No. 8 Ocean Lakes
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Ocean Lakes
Records: Tallwood 6-1, 5-1; Ocean Lakes 5-2, 4-2
Last year's result: Tallwood won 43-6
Outlook: It's gut-check time for the Dolphins. First there is their futility against Tallwood. Then when they had a chance to tie for the district lead, the defense disintegrated in a 36-33 loss to Bayside. The good news for Ocean Lakes is that it is healthier than it has been in several weeks. This is Tallwood's last game against a team with a winning record. The Lions aren't the dominant defensive team they were last year, but keep finding ways to win. Five different players have led them in rushing.
Pick: Tallwood 24-14
No. 9 Norview
at No. 7 Churchland
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Churchland
Records: Norview 4-3, 3-1; Churchland 5-2, 2-2
Last year's result: Churchland won 14-6
Outlook: The Pilots still entertain playoff and title hopes, but injuries continue to chip away at their chances. This week it's tailback Larry Austin, who has two sprained ankles but is expected to play. Churchland has had injury problems, too, notably quarterback Chatame Ward. Brandon Hall played in Ward's absence last week only to be undone by the special teams. The Truckers had two punts blocked and two tipped against Norcom.
Pick: Churchland 20-13
No. 10 Oscar Smith
at Hickory
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Hickory
Records: Oscar Smith 4-3, 3-1; Hickory 0-7, 0-4
Last year's result: Did not meet
Outlook: The Hawks finally get to host a game in their new stadium, although don't expect a lot of creature comforts. Portable toilets and concessions are the order of the night. The Tigers have won three in a row and are stalking their first winning season since 1983. LeVar Griffin has thrown six TD passes during the winning streak and Mario Davis has added punch to the rushing game. Hickory ranks last in the area in total offense, total defense and scoring defense.
Pick: Oscar Smith 39-0
Green Run at Salem
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Salem
Records: Green Run 3-4, 3-3; Salem 3-4, 3-3
Last year's result: Green Run won 42-15
Outlook: Salem's offense has shuddered to a stop with only three points in the past two games. The Sun Devils' lack of a passing attack - their 37.4 yards per game ranks 24th among 26 Group AAA teams in the area - continues to doom them to mediocrity. Green Run has made steady improvement, especially quarterback Charles Wilson. But the Stallions' inability to get the ball to Ben Root is puzzling.
Pick: Salem 16-14
Kellam
at Princess Anne
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Princess Anne
Records: Kellam 1-6, 0-6; Princess Anne 2-5, 2-4
Last year's result: Princess Anne won 51-14
Outlook: This could be an aerial circus, which means long plays and turnovers. Princess Anne hasn't committed fewer than two turnovers in any game. But Kellam continues to operate under a dark cloud. The Knights have been in every game but one, but their district losing streak stands at 37.
Pick: Princess Anne 27-25
First Colonial
at Bayside
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Bayside
Records: First Colonial 4-3, 3-3; Bayside 2-4, 2-4
Last year's result: First Colonial won 16-10
Outlook: The Marlins have won two straight, rushing for 256 yards against Ocean Lakes and passing for 170 yards against Princess Anne. That should open up the field this week against a Patriots' defense that ranks near the bottom in yards and points allowed. First Colonial snapped a three-game losing last week against Cox and has played two straight overtime games.
Pick: First Colonial 24-20
Nansemond River
at Western Branch
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Western Branch
Records: Nansemond River 1-6, 0-4; Western Branch 3-4, 2-2
Last year's result: Did not meet
Outlook: This was expected to be the next great rivalry after redistricting, and maybe it will be in time. But there is no reason to think Western Branch won't run wild tonight.
Pick: Western Branch 48-14
Wilson vs. Granby
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Chittum Field
Records: Wilson 1-6, 1-3; Granby 2-5, 1-3
Last year's result: Granby won 6-0
Outlook: Granby has lost three in a row to ranked teams, but its defense has kept the Comets competitive. Wilson erupted in the second half last week to beat Lake Taylor and end a 17-game losing streak. Was it a fluke?
Pick: Granby 21-7
Maury at Lake Taylor
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Lake Taylor
Records: Maury 3-4, 1-3; Lake Taylor 2-5, 0-4
Last year's result: Maury won 21-18
Outlook: Maury, like Granby, has struggled recently losing three out of four. But don't blame the defense. The Commodores bend but they don't break. Lake Taylor can bend a defense, but its spirit might be broken after blowing an 18-point lead against Wilson.
Pick: Maury 21-15
Greenbrier Christian
at Kenston Forest
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Kenston Forest
Records: Greenbrier Christian 3-5; Kenston Forest 5-4
Last year's result: Did not meet
Outlook: The Gators have won three straight. Quarterback Tom Keiper is a threat to run or pass, and the kicking game with Jason Babb is another weapon.
Pick: Greenbrier 42-28
Isle of Wight Academy
at Nansemond-Suffolk
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Nansemond-Suffolk Academy
Records: Isle of Wight 5-2; Nansemond-Suffolk 4-3
Last year's result: Did not meet
Outlook: The Saints played their most complete game of the season last week in routing Hampton Roads. Isle of Wight can move the ball, but the Chargers will have to get it first.
Pick: N-SA 35-21
Other area games
Smithfield at Franklin
York at Southampton
Southampton Academy at Halifax Academy
Windsor at Surry
Heritage at Lafayette
Phoebus vs. Hampton, at Darling Stadium
Woodside vs. Denbigh, at Todd Stadium by CNB