Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9411100013
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S14 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOHN A. MONTGOMERY SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This high school football season, the William Byrd Terriers personify their nickname in intricate detail.
It's just the preseason publicity that they have decided to defy.
Byrd's team is small, feisty and determined. But after losing virtually the entire starting offensive and defensive units from last year's 5-5 squad, expectations were low.
The naysayers thought, shall we say, they'd be dogs.
``On paper, I don't think anybody gave us much of a chance,'' Byrd coach Jeff Highfill said. ``This team is smaller, younger, and not as strong as last year's team. But it's a fun group, and we've hung in there.''
With 30 percent of the season down, Byrd is 2-1 and ranked among the top 10 teams in Timesland. The Terriers came from behind for both their victories, 16-7 over Glenvar and 34-8 against Lynchburg Christian Academy.
Considering that Byrd's quarterback (senior Matt Bryant), tailback (senior Barry Myvett), and leading receiver (junior Michael Berry) weigh less than 160 pounds each, the team seems to be thriving on its underdog reputation.
``It takes a lot of heart, hustle, and guts to win when you're small,'' Berry said.
Myvett (5-10, 153 pounds) is one of the area's leading rushers, gaining 455 yards on 67 carries (a 6.8 yards per carry average). He also is a defensive starter, playing outside linebacker.
Bryant (5-11, 160 pounds), the only returning starter from 1993 and captain of the 1994 team, plays defense, too. His 25 tackles are second-highest on the team.
Berry (5-10, 158 pounds), a two-time second-team all-state soccer player, never had played organized football before this season. He has caught five passes, for an excellent 23.8 yards-per-catch average, and also has carried out the team's kicking chores.
``We've still got a long way to go,'' said Highfill, who is in his 14th year as Byrd coach. ``But we've made tremendous improvement since Aug.8 [the opening of practice].''
Byrd opened its season against Lynchburg Christian, giving up a touchdown on the opening drive. Similarly, in the third game, Glenvar scored on its first possesion. Both Byrd opponents were shut out after their first score, and Myvett gained more than 180 rushing yards in each game.
The Terriers loss, however, was a 36-7 shellacking by Bassett. ``Bassett just outmanned us,'' Highfill said. ``They were bigger, stronger, and faster than us.''
Byrd's opponent this week is Blue Ridge District rival Northside, another team known for its size.
``We can't worry about that,'' Myvett said. ``No one's picked us to win a game yet,'' Bryant said.
Like Berry, Bryant is a soccer player, and Highfill coaches that sport too. Bryant and Highfill helped convince Berry that he possessed gridiron skills.
``I told him that he was such a good athlete and so fast, he could be a big player on our team,'' Bryant said. ``He has a good vertical leap, and when we need a first down, I like to throw him a jump ball.''
``Michael's been a weapon, a real plus,'' Highfill said. ``He's got 4.5 speed in the 40 [yard dash].''
Berry's kicking has been strong as well. His punting average (37.0 yards) ranked fourth in Timesland last week, and eight of his 10 kickoffs have landed inside the opponents' five-yard-line.
``Place-kicking is a lot like soccer,'' Berry said, ``but punting is much different.'' In practice, Berry has kicked field goals from 55 yards. His only successful field goal in a game, however, was from 30 yards.
``Kicking extra points and field goals is something I haven't gotten used to,'' said Berry, who has missed two of his four point-after-touchdown attempts. ``People are running at you.''
Myvett has been the team's workhorse, averaging more than 20 carries each game. ``Barry's got a good work ethic,'' Bryant said. ``He's a slasher,'' Highfill said. ``He's got real strong legs.''
But the predominant strength of the Terriers is difficult to measure.
``It's attitude and character,'' Highfill said. ``We've stressed that we've got to be better at the end of each week.
``So far, it's worked.''
by CNB