DATE: Thursday, August 28, 1997             TAG: 9708240268

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: V30  EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   61 lines

SMITHFIELD, FRANKLIN MAY GIVE SOUTHAMPTON SOME TROUBLE

Coachspeak and downplaying of talent are common devices of Southampton coach Littleton Parker. And along with the ploys come the victories and respect that are synonymous with the Indians' program.

``This is a power district and the key is to run the ball and be physical,'' Smithfield coach Joe Jones. ``Southampton is a tough, physical team that runs the ball well.''

Which is why Southampton is favored to win its fourth straight Bay Rivers District title.

The Indians (10-1), in their 11th season under Parker, are good enough on both offense and defense that they could long continue the string of 19 consecutive conference victories.

In the offensive backfield, Torrey Goodwyn and Author Porter each have a chance to reach 1,000 yards if they receive enough carries.

The passing game, traditionally a rarely used vehicle, may be an integral part of the '97 team.

Junior quarterback Mitchell Pillsbury has an old and new receiver - both all-district picks last season - as targets. Greg Scott led the Indians in receiving yards while Antonio Graham, a transfer from Franklin, brings his pass-catching abilities to the arch-rival.

Defensively, Southampton returns four starters with Scott, 1996's district defensive player of the year, leading the way at linebacker.

The question mark on both sides of the ball is the line. Southampton lost four lineman to graduation including three all-district selections.

``It's hard to replace those guys,'' Parker said.

Both of Southampton's Western Tidewater foes - Smithfield and Franklin look to be improved from last season.

With multi-talented Chris Parker slated at quarterback, Smithfield will use the option this year.

``With Chris and the running backs, we feel like we're getting the ball in the hands of those who we need to have it,'' Jones said.

Defensively, the Packers (2-8) have 10 starters back.

Franklin, despite the graduation of Xavier Scott and the transfer of Graham, could move up in the win column.

Behind a pair of 900-yard rushers - Diron Newsome and Will Harris - and a veteran defensive line, the Broncos (4-6) may be able to pull out a few victories that got away last season.

In addition to traditionally strong York and Bruton and the strengthened Franklin, Grafton and Smithfield, Southampton will face the challenge of two new foes - Lafayette and Jamestown. Jamestown is a new school and Lafayette, which lost students to the former, drops down from Group AAA's Peninsula District.

In the Tri Rivers District, Windsor hopes that new coach John T. Bangley will make last year's 0-10 season an aberration and not a trend.

The Dukes have only 23 players but return key skilled people on both offense and defense.

In the Virginia Commonwealth Conference, Isle of Wight (6-4) hopes to make its third straight playoff behind the strength of Griffin Williams and the running game.

In the Colonial Carolina Conference, the loss of some key seniors could prevent Southampton Academy (9-2) from making its third straight championship game appearance.

On the Eastern Shore, Northampton (10-1) will attempt to go undefeated and avoid a first-round upset in the playoffs.

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