Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510130034
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-15 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
They can jeer the befuddled and unaffiliated masses who cannot decide where to spend their sporting dollar.
``Where to?'' moan those who flounder and thrash through the choice of Giles at Radford, Salem at Pulaski County, or Auburn at Shawsville.
``Fools,'' say the snobs. ``We have the rape of the Balkans, the national debt, and the rehabilitation of O.J.'s public image to worry about.''
They can hoot at the unabashed fans who bloom with every touchdown scored by their guys and wither with every miscue.
``Why can't they get a life?'' wonder the know-it-alls.
They can aim nostrils aloft at the legions of Giles Spartans boosters in their bright red or the Radfordians in their black and gold. They can dismiss the taste of those who dress in a Pulaski County Cougar costume days before Halloween or paint maroon paws on their faces. They can snicker at the red white and blue of an Auburn cap or the orange and powder blue of a Shawsville pom-pom.
``They really need to find a new tailor,'' sniff the sartorially superior.
They can pooh-pooh the aspirations of legions of Liberty fans and their counterparts at Bedford County rival Jefferson Forest.
``Running headlong into another human being for entertainment strikes us as a trifle barbaric,'' opine the sophisticates.
Barbaric?
Well, to that I say to them, go put on another pot of tea and make an appointment for a manicure.
This heir to Atilla the Hun is going to a ball game.
FORE!Substantial evidence indicates that Drew Robinson of Christiansburg High is quite fond of Blue Ridge Country Club in Galax. His two best rounds of the year were there including this week's 8-over-par 79 that won the New River District tournament.
The district wasn't in the trophy case without some anxiety for him or his coach, Bobby Ashburn, after Robinson played the last six holes at 7-over to beat Wes Martin of Blacksburg by three strokes. The lead had been seven at the 12th hole.
``I attribute it to inexperience in tournament situations,'' Ashburn said of Robinson's sputtering finish. ``Tournament pressure is different and you don't get it by going out and playing with your buddies.''
The good news for Robinson is that he returns to Blue Ridge Monday for the Region IV tournament.
MORE GOLF:Michael Chandler of Pulaski County, a freshman, will be joined by teammates Chuck Shomo and Chris Davis at the Northwestern Region tournament Wednesday at Evergreen Country Club in Haymarket.
Six golfers in addition to those who are members of the two teams (Cave Spring and Franklin County) the Roanoke Valley District will send to regionals also qualify. Chandler is going because he was among the top three among the the extra players in regular season stroke average. Shomo and Davis had two of the three low remaining district tournament rounds.
THINNED OUT:Football practices are a little less well-attended at Narrows High these days.
There is no particular injury epidemic, although they do wish that fullback Justin Rhodes would hurry up and recover from his aches and pains and be available for action again.
No, 23 players show up for the Green Wave's practices because 23 is all they have.
``I tell you, having that number of players affects the way you coach,'' Narrows boss Don Lowe said. ``There's a lot you can't do. It gives me a new respect for the Shawsvilles and Auburns of the world. And Council, I saw 11 players in the team picture. They have my utmost respect.''
GOING UP THE COUNTRY: Hills seem to be a little less steep and dales a touch less deep for Christiansburg High's cross country team.
The defending state Group AA champions are back at full strength. Matt Nolan, who was out for almost a month before returning recently with a sore hip, represents a lot of strength. Nolan was fifth in the state (he led after a mile) last year as a freshman.
``But the big story has been Justin Mosby,'' Demons coach Steve Shelton said. ``I knew he was good, but he has really been kicking it in lately.''
Just recently, Mosby set two course records in a week, one at the Roanoke College Maroon Invitational the other at the Galax Invitational.
Shelton becomes alarmed whenever anybody suggests that Christiansburg is the favorite to win it the state again.
``There are four teams that are going to have a shot at winning it, in my opinion,'' he said. ``Blacksburg, Western Albemarle, Abingdon and us. It's going to be a dogfight. We only beat Blacksburg by six and that was after we had Matt back.''
Shelton has other matters besides his boys to be fired up about. For several, he has the Blue Demons girls, whom he also coaches.
The best of the bunch, sophomore Laura Evans, is back after missing the first two races of the season as a result of an ill-fated step into a hole. Fifth last year at state, she was third in a September race in Marion behind the Tennessee state champion and Colleen Crawford of Abingdon, the defending champion on this side of the state line.
More? Out of 11 girls on the Christiansburg team, eight are freshmen and sophomores.
``I believe we're a year away,'' Shelton said.
DEAD ENDED: A great football rivalry between old New River District foes Giles and Christiansburg will apparently be no more. Scheduling conflicts as a result of the Demons' membership in the Blue Ridge District next year is the reason.
Ray Cox is a Roanoke Times sportswriter.
by CNB