DATE: Friday, October 31, 1997              TAG: 9710310870

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JAMES C. BLACK, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   30 lines

DEEP CREEK HOPES TO KEEP TITLE HOPES ALIVE VS. I. RIVER

Although there won't be as many fans in the stands as there has been for the past two games games between the two Southeastern District rivals, not much will take away from tonight's battle between No. 4 Deep Creek (6-2, 5-0) and Indian River (5-3, 3-2).

``They got us real good last year, and we reminded the kids of that,'' Deep Creek coach David Cox. ``These two teams get up for this one. You don't have to say much.''

Indian River, the winner of last year's game, knows it has to keep its offense on the field to have a chance. And with Deep Creek losing Richard Rodgers to a knee injury, the Braves might be able to exploit the Hornets' interior defense.

Rodgers, a highly recruited two-way tackle, tore his ACL in last week's win against Great Bridge and may be lost for the season. His absence on the other side of the ball may be just as significant.

Deep Creek's James Green is second in the area with 931 yards and is tied for second with 21 touchdowns. Cox expects Indian River to put pressure on his offensive line by putting 10 and 11 defenders on the defensive line.

Barring a Great Bridge upset of Western Branch, Deep Creek needs a win to stay atop the district with the Bruins. The two teams end the regular season against each other at Western Branch next Friday.

Pick: Deep Creek, 20-14

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