Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, August 22, 1993 TAG: 9308220023
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: D9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB TEITLEBAUM
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Long
While you're trying to write a quick game story and beat a deadline, a furry creature might walk across the personal computer you're using to tap out some words that you hope will make sense the next morning.
Don't be alarmed. It's only Bootleg, a dirty-gray member of the cat family. This seeming terror, who really is very loveable, used up at least a couple of his nine lives when he arrived unannounced on a cold, winter day nearly four years ago.
"It was just before Christmas vacation [1989]. I came to the fieldhouse to clean out the trash can when I saw this kitten that was half dead," said Pulaski County football coach Joel Hicks. "I put him in the fieldhouse and figured when I came back the next morning I'd bury him."
When Hicks returned, Bootleg was on his feet to greet him. The veteran coach took him to the veterinarian, who informed Hicks that this invader of the football world known as the Cougar Den was working on at least a second life. Since then, Bootleg has never left the fieldhouse.
In other words, Bootleg has heard all of Hicks' half-time orations to his team. Or at least he's had the opportunity to hear them. Bootleg won't say if he's slept through any.
"Bootleg's a survivor," said Hicks. "When a lot of other people are around, he'll usually find a corner. I'm soft hearted and he's a good cat. Besides, there are no mice around."
Said Cougar lineman Randy Dunnigan, "He's just lazy. We look at him, but we don't pay that much attention to him. We like him, but he's just in the fieldhouse."
Hicks says the players will find Bootleg perched on a locker or in the middle of the floor.
"He thinks he owns the place," the coach said. "The kids like him and no one mistreats him. A lot of kids will pet him."
Bootleg is no good luck charm, and he can claim no part in helping Pulaski County win the Group AAA Division 6 state title last fall. Bootleg doesn't make road trips. He doesn't even come out of the fieldhouse when the Cougars play home games.
Hicks or one of his assistant coaches usually makes a trip to the fieldhouse every day during vacation to make sure Bootleg has food.
The Cougars' coach never discovered where Bootleg came from, and the cat likely will go on living at the fieldhouse, watching for mice and bothering visitors with his pesky tail.
\ NORTHSIDE TRANSFERS: When Connex Pipe Systems announced it was bringing its corporate headquarters to Botetourt County, talk started about possible football transfers because of the 200 jobs the move would create.
Most of the attention was centered on moves by any of Connex's employees from its plant in Marietta, Ohio. The plant is located in one of the nation's top high school football areas.
First, Salem - always a haven for football players making a move - was rumored to be getting help. Then it was Lord Botetourt that might get some additions.
Now, it's neither school. The two transfers from Connex's shift of jobs wound up at Northside.
Archie Roberts, a 5-foot-10, 220-pound fullback-linebacker, figures to start for the Vikings at least one way and possibly both ways by the end of the year. He's a senior.
Donnie Lenninger, a 185-pound sophomore fullback-linebacker who also is 5-10, probably will find a starting position. With the move of lineman Jim Huffman from Chancellor to Liberty to Northside last fall as a junior, it seems as if the Vikings now are the school getting all the new players.
\ NO FOOTBALL: Jefferson Forest's Ryan Gilleland, who was Timesland's baseball player of the year as a junior, is giving up football after being injured while playing baseball. Gilleland, who is expected to be an outstanding baseball prospect, will concentrate on that sport and basketball.
Gilleland, a tight end and linebacker last year as the Cavaliers won the Group AA Division 3 state football title, will not have a chance to become the Timesland baseball player of the year for the second straight season. Because of changing circulation patterns, eight schools are being dropped from Timesland.
Jefferson Forest; Piedmont District members Chatham, Dan River, Tunstall, Gretna and Patrick County; Marion (Highlands District) and Chilhowie (Hogoheegee District) no longer will be considered Timesland schools.
This also means that Tunstall's three-sport star, Khris Law, one of the top returning athletes and an All-Timesland football player, will not be eligible to be Timesland athlete of the year.
\ PARKER UPDATE: Salem running back Marcus Parker, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last spring, is running with and without a brace, Spartan coach Willis White reports. There still is no word on when or if Parker, one of the outstanding football prospects in the state, will return. Dr. Frank McCue, who performed the surgery, will give him a checkup on Wednesday.
The Spartans are looking at Jomo Nelson, who was a fullback last year; Michael Murphy, a junior who played cornerback in 1992; and Charlie Hammersley Jr. to take over at running back for Parker. Hammersley, a junior, is son of former Andrew Lewis standout Charlie Hammersley Sr.
\ LONGEST STREAK: With 30 consecutive defeats, Group A Charles City has the longest losing streak for any football school in Virginia. That's three years without a victory.
Bruton is second with 23, the longest Group AA losing streak.
Manassas Park, another Group A school, is third with 20.
Franklin County owns the longest number of straight losses in Group AAA with 18.
by CNB