DATE: Monday, November 3, 1997              TAG: 9711030198

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA 

SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: BUXTON                            LENGTH:   71 lines

HATTERAS SOCCER TEAM WINS PLAYOFF SPOT UNTIL LAST SEASON, THE HURRICANES, NOW 7-2-2, HAD NEVER WON A MATCH PLAYOFF:

If high school classes at Cape Hatteras look more than a little bare Tuesday, it's not because of the sniffles, or howling winds, or even raging waves for killer late-fall surfing.

It's because one-fourth of the 80-student high school population plays on the Cape Hatteras soccer team. The Hurricanes make their first-ever appearance in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Class A playoffs Tuesday in Pittsboro against Northwood High School.

What makes the Hurricanes' five-hour journey Tuesday all the more amazing is that until last year, Cape Hatteras teams had never won a soccer game.

But opponents' days of seeing a match with the 'Canes as a trip to the beach are no more. Dare County's only K-12 school, tied to the rest of the world by bridges and ferry boats, is 7-2-2. Cape Hatteras is kicking up a storm in soccer, thanks to its Colombian-born coach, Luis Martinez.

``Getting along with the kids is important,'' said Martinez, for five years the associate head coach with Frank Vrablic at powerful Manteo High School. ``You have to motivate them. But we have some good players.''

Martinez's brand of motivation transcends the playing field.

``Cape Hatteras is different because we only have 80 kids in the high school,'' Martinez said. ``It gives you an opportunity to reallyget to know the kids. I've really tried to encourage the kids, helping them with their classes, things like that. But the fact that 20 kids are on the team is amazing.''

Martinez has brought a feeling for the game rooted in the roaring stadiums of South America, where one-named soccer gods won the undying adoration of millions.

``In my hometown, we had two professional teams,'' Martinez said. ``My father used to take me to the games. I loved Pele, Maradonna, Rolando. I played soccer all through school. My father wouldn't let me try professional soccer. He said soccer players don't make any money.''

Now Martinez works for a teacher's salary, tutoring kids in Spanish and in the game he loves. His work has caught the attention of Principal Carol Weaver and Superintendent Leon Holleman.

``He has a passion for the game,'' Weaver said.

Holleman said the Hurricanes' 3-0 win over Manteo earlier this month was ``the equivalent of North Carolina beating Duke in basketball 100-0. I'm happy for the kids and for Luis. He's an outstanding coach.''

Martinez agrees that the win over Manteo was a turning point.

``Manteo was undefeated,'' Martinez said. ``It was a good game, very physical. We played a great game against a very good team. When you beat somebody that good, it helps the team have confidence.''

Leading the team into Tuesday's playoff match are senior midfielder Sam Ferguson, right wing K.D. Jackson and stopper Stephen Hickman.

Ferguson has 14 goals and 10 assists and is good enough to play at the next level, his coach said.

``He's like the quarterback in football,'' Martinez said of Ferguson. ``He played in Richmond on some of the select teams in soccer up there. He can play at any college.''

Jackson, who starred as a guard on the Cape Hatteras basketball team that went to the region semifinals last year, has a dozen goals for the 'Canes.

``K.D. has speed,'' Martinez said. ``I haven't found a defender that can keep up with him. He's a nightmare for the defense.''

Hickman, a 6-2 stopper, gives Hatteras a presence on defense.

``He's a good player,'' Martinez said. ``He's in charge of the defense on the field.''

Like most coaches approaching the playoffs, Martinez said his team will prepare for this game like any other. But an off-field intangible may help Hatteras make a good impression in its playoff debut.

``The kids here are wonderful,'' Martinez said. ``They make good grades, they work hard. It's always been my desire to coach kids like these.''

Game time is 6 p.m.

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