Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, December 11, 1993 TAG: 9312110011
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Medium
Sargent's devotion to continuing education is certainly admirable, but his study time is coming to a close. In view of the fact that he's a senior and Giles' last game of the season is today, Sargent is going to have to wring out every last bit of knowledge about the finer points of defensive line play in these final 48 precious minutes.
"I guess it's a little late to be learning now," he said.
By this point, Sargent is no novice at this. Seeing as how he's starting the 14th and most important game of the season for the Spartans, he hasn't been doing much loafing during on-the-job training.
Giles entertains Central High of Lunenburg at 1:30 p.m. today for the state Group A Division 2 title. Lunenburg will be after its fifth state championship in 10 years; Giles its first since it won in 1980 in Group AA.
Both teams have perfect records. Lunenburg will be after its 28th straight victory and Giles its 14th.
As for Sargent, he's been a key figure on a defense that has probably not earned the acclaim it should have after being overshadowed by the high-octane Giles single-wing offense. Twice, Giles has earned shutouts in three playoff games, the most recent being 8-0 at Haysi in last week's mudfest of a semifinal.
"Sargent's been our most consistent defensive lineman," Giles coach Steve Ragsdale said. "He is relentless. He'll chase that ball all over the field."
In person, Sargent presents a quiet and humble front. But more than one teammate has commented on the fury he summons during games.
At 6 feet and 175 pounds, Sargent has played a tough position despite being undersized by most standards. This week, things ought to even up for him, though. Lunenburg has a 240-pound center in Will Thomas, but only two other players top 200 pounds (not by much, though) and most are in the 165-195 pound range.
"That's one thing I like to see," Sargent said. "Everybody I've played against this year has been 230 or 240 pounds."
Which may be one of the reasons that he developed some bad habits.
"I keep trying to stand up like a linebacker," he said. "Coaches stay on me about that. It isn't natural for humans to stay bent over like that, though."
It is for football-playing humans, or it better be, according to techniques that have been developed over generations. Sargent may learn something by keeping an eye on the Chargers.
"From the tape I've watched, they stay as low as anybody I've ever seen," he said.
Sargent has made a practice of laying his opponents low during the year. He has 16 tackles for a loss, which is second on the team to linebacker Brandon Steele.
Sargent has some other traits that tend to endear a football player to fans and coaches. He's heavily into lifting weights and he relishes violent collision.
"He even loves to cover kickoffs," Ragsdale said.
All part of learning to play the game, Sargent said.
"I just try to get myself as psyched up as I can."
by CNB