DATE: Friday, September 12, 1997            TAG: 9709120820

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE:    - ROBIN BRINKLEY

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   29 lines

NOTHING BIZARRE ABOUT IT THIS TIME; INDIAN RIVER SHOULD ROLL PAST NORVIEW

No series has taken more bizarre twists the past two seasons than Indian River and Norview.

Two years ago the Pilots led at halftime when lightning knocked out the power at Indian River Stadium. Given time to adjust, the Braves bounced back the next day and won.

Last year Norview actually celebrated victory for a few moments until the referee put two seconds back on the clock and Indian River's Ronnie Ingram kicked a game-winning field goal.

``We always seem to play them well,'' Norview coach David Heath says, ``but this year we'll have to be near perfect just to stay with them.''

The Pilots were anything but perfect last week, committing five turnovers in a 28-7 loss to Bethel. Moreover, Eric Hines, the Pilots' best player, is nursing a sore ankle and may not play.

Indian River has had two weeks to prepare since thumping Bayside 33-7. The Braves held the Marlins to 107 total yards, but coach Bob Parker has made several changes on defense. Lonnie Parker moves to defensive guard, and Damian Hartwell replaces Parker at middle linebacker. Also, second-team All-Tidewater pick Chester Newton is fully recovered from minor surgery and will start at defensive end.

Pick: Indian River 35, Norview 7: Lightning doesn't strike twice.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu