Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 2, 1995 TAG: 9511020034
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Prying information out of Christiansburg High School's head-knocking trio of Eddie Miller, Larry Carter, and Scottie Brubeck is only slightly less arduous than an ascent of the Andes in the dead of winter.
``They're three of the quietest ones we have,'' Christiansburg coach Mike Cole said of his tight-lipped three.
Actually, Cole should be thankful these guys are hush-hush by nature. As any veteran classroom teacher can tell you, young people don't learn when they're jabbering with their friends.
If seniors Carter and Miller and junior Brubeck hadn't been quiet enough to be quick studies, then the Blue Demons might really be in a fix. Worst of all, Christiansburg might not have earned the last New River District football championship.
Those three were major contributors as Christiansburg turned back Blacksburg 19-13 to claim the crown. You might even say that the Demons couldn't have done it without them.
For that matter, we're not just talking about one game here, either. This has gone on all year.
Anyway, though, these three have been so important because they have been asked to do so many things.
Take Carter, for example. He has had to play halfback and wingback when Christiansburg was playing the wing-T offense and tailback and slotback once Cole ditched the wing-T in favor of the I. Then, to make sure Carter doesn't get too smug because he can keep all that straightened out, he plays cornerback and occasionally safety on defense.
Brubeck exercises his brain learning the plays at split end, slotback, and tailback. He'd just recently learned all the wing-T plays (for wingback, end, and halfback) before being told Christiansburg was going to a new scheme.
Presuming he doesn't get any of that messed up, he has to worry about at least four positions on defense counting safety, his regular job, and all three linebackers.
``It's not that bad learning all this stuff,'' he said. ``We go over it enough in practice.''
Brubeck may be the best defender the Demons have. He tops the list of tacklers in Timesland with well over 100.
Brubeck's deployment is based on simple principles.
``If we think the other team is going to throw a lot, we'll play him at safety,'' Cole said. ``If we think the other team is going to run a lot, we'll play him at linebacker. That's what we did when we played Giles. He reads things so well.''
Miller is another versatile fellow.
``He may be the unsung hero of the team,'' Cole said. ``He's played tight end, wingback, fullback, and tailback for us. And he's been at linebacker all year long. Generally speaking, he's had to learn the new offensive positions in a week's time. It's kind of like, `Eddie, somebody's hurt. I need for you to play tailback.' All he says is, `OK coach.'''
That was also the summary of his remarks to Cole after being dispatched to the field as a substitute during the Blacksburg game. He filled in for the Demons' leading rusher of the year, tailback Mike Scott, when Scott's thought processes were scrambled after a particularly vigorous collision on the opening kickoff.
Miller chipped in with 51 yards rushing on a mushy field. Miller had to pause for a moment as he struggled to remember all the tailback plays.
``I had to remind myself where I was playing,'' he said.
Miller is strictly a football player. Brubeck and Carter carry their versatility to other sports. Carter's is track, where he is a runner and jumper.
``I like football the best, but I'm better at track,'' he said.
Brubeck is a talented baseball player and his best days in that sport, as in football, are probably in the future. But being asked to name a favorite really puts him in a bind.
``I have fun in both football and baseball,'' he said. ``I couldn't pick a favorite.''
Wise answer, especially with the football coach within earshot. But then, we'd expect that out of Brubeck as well as Miller and Carter.
Said Cole: ``They're three of the smartest players we have.''
CORRECTION
A story in last Thursday's Neighbors High School Sports section incorrectly stated that Robert Pauley won the Blue Ridge District cross country title last year. Stuart Bray of Northside won the Blue Ridge race and Pauley won the Metro.
by CNB