
DATE: Saturday, November 15, 1997           TAG: 9711150419

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: JAMES C. BLACK

LENGTH: 37 lines

SOUTHAMPTON LOOKS TO SEND SMITHFIELD PACKING TODAY

Southampton coach Littleton Parker didn't wait until this week to remind his team of last year's playoff upset to York.

``We've talked about that all year,'' said Parker, whose then-unbeaten Indians were stunned by York 35-21 in the first round of the region playoffs. ``Not just this week.''

Southampton, which has won 28 straight regular-season district games, heads into today's contest against Smithfield with two 1,000-yard rushers (Torrey Goodwyn and Pervis Binns) and has outscored its last two opponents 117-0. The Indians also have the distinction of beating Smithfield 55-7 in September. However, both coaches agree the Packers are a vastly improved squad.

``That was a turning point in our season,'' said Smithfield coach Joe Jones, whose Packers are making their first playoff appearance in four years, ``because the kids wanted a shot to play them again.''

Offensively, the Packers have moved Chris Parker from quarterback to tailback, thrown the ball more consistently and strayed away from the option.

Defensively, Smithfield is playing the best it has all season - allowing just 21 points during its season-ending three-game winning streak. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

SMITHFIELD vs. SOUTHAMPTON

Where: Southampton, 1:30 p.m.

Records: Smithfield 6-4; Southampton 10-0

Key players: Smith - RB Chris Parker (83-790, 8 TDs rushing), LB

Curtis Hopson (94 tackles), LB Chris Scott (99 tackles). So - RB

Pervis Binns (108-1,416, 22 TDS rushing), Torrey Goodwyn (152-1,002,

16 TDs rushing)

The pick: Southampton, 28-12