DATE: Thursday, September 25, 1997          TAG: 9709240140

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

                                            LENGTH:   66 lines

COTTEN PICKING UP NUMEROUS SACKS FOR N.C. STATE

Periodically, the Virginian-Pilot will give an overview of local players making an impact in college football.

Here's an update on some former All-Tidewater and all-district players who are making their presence felt in the ACC:

Four games into the season, North Carolina State (3-1, 1-1 ACC) has already won as many games as in 1996. Defensively, Bobbie Cotten (Windsor) has been an integral part of N.C. State's success.

Cotten, a defensive end and Group A's player of the year in 1993, has recorded a team-high three sacks. He made only three sacks all of last season.

``I worked hard this summer getting stronger,'' said Cotten, who hopes to record 15-20 sacks on the season. ``I've learned what to do in rushing the passer and in playing the run.''

Already, the Wolfpack has registered a stunning road victory over Syracuse and blown out Duke and Northern Illinois.

``The biggest difference is we're playing together,'' Cotten said. ``We have a lot of seniors this year who are bringing us together and showing their senior leadership.''

Next year, Cotten should expect a trio of former Southeastern District players to help the team.

Darius Bryant, an All-Tidewater lineman last year, and Nathan Carr both of Lakeland, are red-shirting for N.C. State this season. Another newcomer is Anthony Cason (Indian River), who spent last year at Milford (Conn.) Academy.

About 30 minutes away in Chapel Hill, a pair of former Southeastern District stars are starting for No. 5 North Carolina (3-0, 1-0).

Freshman Deon Dyer (Deep Creek), the Virginian-Pilot's player of the year in 1995, is starting at fullback for the Tar Heels.

Dyer, used almost exclusively as a blocker, has gained two yards on two carries. In addition, he has 27 yards on three receptions.

Sophomore Dre' Bly (Western Branch), an All-America cornerback, began this season the way he ended last year - with an interception.

Bly, one of the most touted defensive backs in the nation, had an interception in UNC's season-opening victory against Indiana. Since then, Bly's season has been relatively quiet.

The All-Tidewater football and baseball player has had no other interceptions and has been in on five tackles.

Another All-Tidewater performer from Western Branch is Wake Forest's sophomore Todd Hollowell.

Hollowell is playing sparingly on the offensive line for the Deacons (1-2 0-1 ACC), who opened the season with an upset of Northwestern for the second straight year.

And further down in the ACC, an All-TCIS performer is making an impact for Clemson.

Glenn Rountree (Nansemond-Suffolk) has been instrumental in the Tigers (2-1, 11 ACC) reaching the Top 25.

Rountree was named the ACC's lineman of the week for Sept. 13 after No 17 Clemson's 19-17 victory at N.C. State. The Tigers accumulated more than 400 yards of total offense and held the ball for over 35 minutes.

Last weekend, the Tigers battled back on numerous occasions before falling to No. 4 Florida State 35-28.

Up in Charlottesville, senior Joe Williams (Indian River) has become a mainstay in the defensive backfield for the University of Virginia.

Williams has been on the field for 118 plays - the second most behind defensive back Anthony Poindexter. In that time, Williams has been in on 10 tackles for the Cavaliers (1-1). MEMO: Rankings are according to the AP Poll.

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