DATE: Friday, October 24, 1997              TAG: 9710240671

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   42 lines

KELLAM SQUARES OFF WITH RED-HOT FOE PRINCESS ANNE HAS WON FOUR STRAIGHT AFTER AN 0-3 START.

A share of the Beach District lead will be at stake tonight when Kellam plays host to Princess Anne.

But whose share?

The standings say Kellam (5-2, 5-1) is tied for first place with First Colonial. But a glance at the stats would lead one to believe Princess Anne (4-3, 4-2) is the superior team.

The Cavaliers, riding a four-game winning streak, have an edge in scoring, total offense and scoring defense.

Kellam's key statistic is a plus-11 turnover differential. The Knights have 15 interceptions, led by Courtney Dailey with six.

The root of Kellam's success, however, comes from within.

``These kids finally know what it takes to win,'' coach Chris Worst says. ``When they give up a touchdown they go to the grindstone a little harder.''

Worst says he sees a little of that in Princess Anne.

``They've found a way to win,'' he says. ``Watching them is like looking at us on film.''

Winning becomes a little easier with a back like Princess Anne's David Johnson. His 627 yards rushing are only 102 less than the entire Kellam team.

Cavaliers coach Jeff Ballance hopes Johnson and freshman quarterback C. J. Fayton will be able to use their speed to exploit some holes in Kellam's defense.

Fayton has passed for 257 yards and rushed for 197 since winning the starting job five weeks ago.

``He's going to be the next big one in Tidewater if he keeps progressing,'' Worst said.

Kellam is coming off consecutive shutouts of Cox and Kempsville and is led defensively by linebacker Chad Merritt.

Pick: Princess Anne, 20-13. Unless they cough it up. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Princess Anne's David Johnson has rushed for 627 yards. That's only

102 fewer yards than the entire Kellam team.

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