ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 21, 1996 TAG: 9611210014
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: DUBLIN
TYPE: HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
SOURCE: ANGIE WATTS STAFF WRITER
MEMO: ***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on November 22, 1996.
James Madison University's football team is classified Division 1-AA
in the NCAA. The classification was incorrect in a story in Thursday's
New River Current about the Pulaski County High School quarterback.
It's a matter of consistency. Pulaski County quarterback Ron Branch is not flashy, but he doesn't need to be.
What coach Joel Hicks asks Branch to do is run the Cougars' wing-T offense. It's an alignment that is team-oriented, and shifts the focus to several different players. But Branch's congruity behind center is a must, and it has led Pulaski County to its seemingly annual appearance in the Group AAA Northwest Regional playoffs.
But truth be known, he'd rather be playing defense.
Branch pulls double duty for Pulaski County at both quarterback and defensive back. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound senior didn't even take his first snap from behind center until he was a freshman.
Defense is his first love. Branch has seven interceptions this season, second in the Timesland, and is a ferocious tackler. His efforts may earn him a scholarship to continue his career on the collegiate level.
"With the wing-T he doesn't get to show his abilities at quarterback as much," Hicks said. "He would be good as a drop-back passer in college, but in my opinion he'd be a better defensive back. There are colleges looking all over the county for guys his size. It's hard to find a defensive back who is that tall and can run."
Branch has been offered a scholarship to play at James Madison University, a Division II program. He said he is also receiving letters and inquiries from Auburn, Clemson, South Carolina and Tennessee and hopes one of those Division I universities will offer him the opportunity to play.
His chances for recognition certainly increase as the Cougars progress through the Group AAA Northwest Regional playoffs. Pulaski County (10-1) plays host to Brooke Point (9-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday with the regional championship on the line. The Cougars pulled out a 20-17 overtime win over Stonewall Jackson to advance to the finals.
"We watched film on the Stonewall game and although there were a few mistakes it's nothing we can't correct," Branch said. "I think all we need to do is be alert and play the best we can instead of having like 'mood swings' or 'play swings.' We have to go all out on every play. If we do that, I think we can go as far as we want."
What they want is the state title. And Hicks is just the coach to lead them there.
"He's a real good coach because he knows both sides of the ball and what it takes to win," Branch said. "He doesn't let us have a bad practice he's the one who keeps us motivated."
Hicks is teaching the lessons, and the players are learning them. But they are just teen-agers, after all.
"At one practice earlier this year me and Craig Hodge were fooling around and got Coach Hicks mad," Branch said. "Real mad. He got all over us - grabbed us by our face masks and started hitting them together. Everyone laughed at us, all three of us.
"Coach was just afraid that we were taking our opponent lightly and he got upset. But we do listen and we do know. He has taught us that any team can beat another at any given time."
When Pulaski County lines up and marches toward the field Friday, you can bet no one will be laughing. No one will be taking Brooke Point lightly. After all, a win over the Black Hawks is the short-term goal. The Cougars want more.
"We want to go to state and win the ring - it's that simple," Branch said. "But we won't look past anyone to get there. It's the playoffs. Every team is good we just have to be better."
LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ALAN KIM\Staff. Despite the desire to play defense, Ronby CNBBranch's quarterbacking has led Pulaski County to its seemingly
annual appearance in the Group AAA Northwest Regional playoffs.