THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 31, 1996 TAG: 9610300202
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 107 lines
SOUTHAMPTON ACADEMY took care of business on the road and hopes to do the same at home after earning the top seed in the Colonial Carolina Conference tournament.
The Raiders, who beat Halifax Academy 44-6 Friday, have a bye this week and host a semifinal game at home next week. Southampton Academy (8-1) won its last four games - three on the road - to defend its 1995 regular season championship.
A few miles away at Southampton High, the Indians stayed undefeated with a 49-24 victory over York. A victory Friday at Grafton clinches a tie for Southampton's second straight Bay Rivers title.
Franklin, Southampton's regular-season finale opponent, avenged an earlier loss in the season with a 22-0 victory over Smithfield. Friday's shutout was the second of the season for the Broncos - who went winless a year ago.
In the Southeastern District, Lakeland and Nansemond River's struggles continued with a pair of shutouts.
Here's a recap of last week's action and a look ahead.
GREENBRIER at NANSEMOND-SUFFOLK
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Records: Greenbrier (4-5, 1-2 TCIS); Nansemond-Suffolk (5-3, 2-1)
Outlook: The Gators exploded for 24 fourth-quarter points in Friday's 43-12 victory over Kenston Forest. Wayne Griffin ran for 112 yards and scored three touchdowns in Greenbrier's win. A victory here clinches a Saints' tie for second place. Sidney Hazelwood is ending his senior season in a fury, rushing for 199 yards and four touchdowns in N-SA's 63-14 victory over Isle of Wight last week. Greenbrier will have to deal with the Saints explosive running game and the versatility of Warren Carroll. The sophomore sensation caught a pair of touchdowns an threw a 10-yard scoring pass on a halfback option last week.
HICKORY at NANSEMOND RIVER
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Records: Hickory (0-8, 0-5 Southeastern); Nansemond River (1-7, 0-5)
Outlook: Barring a tie, one team will earn its seemingly elusive first-ever Southeastern victory. The weekly underdogs fell by a combined score of 91-13 last week. The Hawks trailed 35-0 at halftime in last week's 42-7 loss against No. 8 Oscar Smith. Nansemond River's 49-6 defeat to Western Branch was the fifth time this season the Warriors' offense failed to score. Nansemond River's only score came on Tawan Brown's 81-yard kickoff return in the second quarter.
LAKELAND at OSCAR SMITH
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Records: Lakeland (5-3, 2-3 Southeastern); Oscar Smith (5-3, 4-1)
Outlook: This could definitely be another difficult one for the Cavaliers as No. 8 Oscar Smith looks to stay in sole possession of third place. Lakeland, trying to avoid a third straight defeat, has been outscored 96-7 the last two weeks. In order to break the drought, Lakeland must capitalize on its opportunities. The Cavaliers had first down from Indian River's 13 and got no further than the 7 in last week's 48-0 loss. Later on, Lakeland receivers dropped a couple of wide-open passes that would have led to better field position. Oscar Smith may look to test Lakeland's secondary following Indian River's 171-yard passing performance on Friday. Lavar Griffin threw for 175 yards and four touchdowns in Oscar Smith's 42-7 victory over Hickory.
FRANKLIN at POQUOSON
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Records: Franklin (4-4, 3-2 Bay Rivers); Poquoson (4-4, 2-3)
Outlook: Coach Darian Bell will have to keep his Broncos focused as a battle against rival Southampton follows next week. Franklin scored touchdowns by way of the run, pass and interception return in the victory over Smithfield and former coach Joe Jones Friday. Poquoson struggled against winless Grafton 17-14.
TABB at SMITHFIELD
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Records: Tabb (4-4, 2-3 Bay Rivers); Smithfield (2-6, 1-4)
Outlook: Tabb, suffering from the loss of players to Grafton, fell 21-14 to Bruton last week. The Packers' offensive woes continued with their shutout to Franklin last week. Smithfield has scored just 12 points in the last two games.
SOUTHAMPTON at GRAFTON
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Records: Southampton (8-0, 5-0 Bay Rivers); Grafton (0-8, 0-5)
Outlook: The Indians' defense experienced a lapse in the second half, getting outscored 24-21. Fortunately for coach Littleton Parker and Southampton, the Indians had a comfortable 28-0 lead at intermission. York had more rushing yardage (430-412) and total yardage (446-423) than Southampton. However, the same is not expected to happen this week as the Indians seek to clinch a tie for the district title. Grafton hung tight but stayed winless with a loss to Poquoson last week.
MASSANUTTEN at ISLE of WIGHT
When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Records: Massanutten (not available); Isle of Wight (5-4)
Outlook: Isle of Wight's fast start suddenly seems like another season as the Chargers look to break a three-game losing streak. Isle of Wight trailed 36-0 before William Doggett put the Chargers on the scoreboard with a 19-yard touchdown reception from Paul Creason in the third quarter against N-SA. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Indian River quarterback Antwan Stukes is pursued by Lakeland's
Matthew Schenk during last week's game. The Cavaliers spent the
night pursuing the Braves to no avail in a 48-0 loss. Oscar Smith is
this week's foe.
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL by CNB