DATE: Tuesday, October 14, 1997             TAG: 9710140448

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: ROBIN BRINKLEY and JAY LIDINGTON

                                            LENGTH:   76 lines

FOOTBALL REPORT [BRIEFS]

Deep Creek claws back into playoff picture

Cue the scary music. Pan to a creature straggling out of Dismal Swamp. Now switch to Deep Creek Stadium where the frightening memories of Deon Dyer running over defenders like a rodeo bull are being revisited on the Southeastern District.

The Swampers are back and talking championships and playoffs.

After a 1-2 start under new coach David Cox, fifth-ranked Deep Creek has ripped off three victories in a row by a combined score of 133-20. The Hornets are second in South Hampton Roads in rushing and second in scoring behind Western Branch.

More importantly, they are tied with the top-ranked Bruins for first place and headed toward a Nov. 7 showdown at Western Branch.

``We're trying to sneak back in,'' Cox said of the playoff picture. ``I told the kids after the Norcom game (a 21-7 loss) that we pretty much were going to have to win the district to make the playoffs or get lucky at 7-3.''

Cox blamed the slow start on a brutal schedule - the losses were to No. 2 Norcom and No. 3 Booker T. Washington - and the normal adjustment period that accompanies a new coaching staff.

Cox and defensive coordinator Jim Garrett have several personnel changes, but two stand out. Chris Crocker moved from safety to cornerback, where his speed has provided a major upgrade in the Hornets' man-to-man coverage. Also defensive tackle Richard Rodgers is now starting both ways.

Norview's Halsey eligible, effective

Mydrione Halsey finally made his debut for Norview in last week's 24-20 upset victory over Lake Taylor.

Halsey, a 6-3 senior, transferred from Oscar Smith in August but missed the first five games while officials haggled over his eligibility. Halsey, also one of the area's top basketball players, moved in with relatives after his mother became ill.

The Eastern District ruled Halsey ineligible, but he appealed his case to the Virginia High School League and won.

``There's rules and you've got to go by the rules,'' Norview athletic director Debbie Rocke said. ``We just followed the guidelines and due process paid off.''

Halsey was used on offense, defense and special teams.

``We hope he can come in and fill some roles for us,'' Norview coach David Heath said. ``This team is full of role players.''

Quick hits

The diagnosis on Indian River's Antwan Stukes is a separated shoulder and he should miss at least two games. Stukes, a starting quarterback and safety, was hurt late in the first half of last week's 24-6 loss to Western Branch . out portions of the second half in all five games. Bulldogs' coach Tom York sent letters to 14 colleges last week trumpeting Diggs, who at 6-1, 235 can play linebacker, defensive end and tight end as well as fullback . . . One prominent former coach was heard recently lamenting the lack of wide-open offenses in the area. Sure enough, scoring and total offense are down significantly from last season. Of the area's 26 Group AAA teams, six have thrown only one TD pass and three have thrown none.

Milestones

Ronyell Whitaker became the 15th-area player to rush for more than 3,000 yards and the fourth from Lake Taylor with his 167-yard performance against Norview. Whitaker's career total of 3,117 yards ranks 13th all-time.

The other Titans to rush for at least 3,000 yards are Tony Collins (3,608), Amos Lawrence (3,428) and Dink Hodges (3,106). No other school has had more than two players reach 3,000 yards.

Keith Burnell became Western Branch's all-time rushing leader with 164 yards against Indian River. Burnell has 2,140 yards, breaking the mark of 2,128 set by Rick Corey from 1978-80.

The Bruins could have three backs with more than 1,000 career rushing yards by season's end. Right halfback Rashad Cook went over the 1,000-yard mark against Indian River and is averaging a nifty 7.8 yards per carry in his career. Fullback Marvin Urquhart needs 290 yards in his last four games to reach 1,000.

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