ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 22, 1996 TAG: 9611220064
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
Now that Staunton River High School is a hardened veteran of postseason football, it will be ready to play tonight at powerful Salem.
Or so the Golden Eagles' faithful hope. At least now they know their team won't be overwhelmed by its first trip to the playoffs. Staunton River made its postseason debut Nov.15 when it clobbered Lord Botetourt 44-7 in the Group AA Division 4 Region III opener.
``I was pleased and excited that we came ready to play,'' said Staunton River coach Bob Gray, who has presided over the best zero-to-hero story in Timesland. ``That's the fear of every coach, that a team goes into the playoffs and isn't ready.
``When we play at home, we always seem to come out ready to play. On the road, we don't seem to get off to as good a start. I don't know what the problem is. Maybe I'm not feeding them right.''
The recipe for the Golden Eagles (10-1) is simple enough: Feed the ball to running backs Jarrett Ferguson and Kevin Martin and watch them scoot. Between the two of them, they've accounted for close to a mile in gains this year. That total was augmented in the playoff opener by a combined 288 yards from the pair, 177 by Martin. Ferguson had two touchdowns and Martin another.
A stampede of a running game has been the Golden Eagles' trademark. The surprise against Botetourt was the 112 yards and a touchdown by quarterback Danny Thomas.
``Maybe it's poor coaching, but we really should throw more,'' Gray said. ``But we've gotten out in front first so often this year. I'll tell you right now, if we have a lead, we aren't going to throw it.''
The Golden Eagles may have to do without a pair of starting offensive linemen, 5-foot-10, 240-pound guard Jamie Radford and 5-10, 210-pound Brian Ferguson. Both have twisted ankles and a decision on their status will not be made until game time.
Unlike Staunton River, Salem has been a fixture in the playoffs. This year's Spartans can play with anybody, as they proved when they drilled Group AAA Division 5 Northwest Region finalist Pulaski County on Sept.14. Salem also can be beaten, as was shown in losses to Brookville and William Byrd.
The Spartans were dominant defensively in a 17-0 victory over Northside on Nov.15. Salem held the Vikings to 21 yards rushing and six first downs.
In other playoff games involving Timesland teams, Pulaski County, Giles, Magna Vista, Bland County and Rural Retreat remain alive.
When Brooke Point invades Pulaski County tonight in the Northwest Region final, two teams that favor versions of the wing T offense will be matched. So, too, will this be a contest of coaching brainpower. Between the Cougars (10-1) and the Black Hawks (9-2), coaches who have collected a total of seven state championships will be represented.
Included in the distinguished sideline assembly is Brooke Point boss Ken Brown, who won four titles at Courtland, three in AA and one in AAA, in the 1980s; Pulaski County assistant Paul Wheeler, who won one Division 3 and one Division 4 crown at Rustburg; and Pulaski County head coach Joel Hicks, the owner of a Division 6 championship.
There's more: Brown's Courtland team beat Wheeler's George Wythe team for the 1983 AA championship. Courtland also moved up to AAA for a couple of years and won another championship in 1987. The previous year, Courtland beat Pulaski County in the Northwest Region playoffs in one of the most infamous defeats in the Cougars history. Pulaski County apparently had the game won before a botched snap on a punt in the last minute resulted in a safety that gave Courtland an 8-7 victory.
Patrons at tonight's game can focus on two fine defenses and a pair of terrific young running backs. Pulaski County's Craig Hodge, a junior, owns school records for regular-season rushing yardage and touchdowns. He carried for 79 yards and two touchdowns in the Cougars' 20-17 overtime victory over Stonewall Jackson of Manassas.
For Brooke Point, which is located in Stafford, sophomore halfback Daniel Davis has rushed for more than 1,800 yards this year to go with 1,000-plus as a freshman. Brown said Davis compares favorably to the best backs he's coached.
Giles (11-0) has it humming again as it seeks another Division 2 Region C crown when it plays host to Chilhowie (10-1).
The Spartans were brilliant a week ago in a 35-13 victory over Patrick Henry of Glade Spring. Giles outgained the Rebels 359-127 and held them to five first downs, four of those coming in the second half when the outcome no longer was in doubt.
Chilhowie, which is directed by former Shawsville coach Mike Sturgill, throttled Grayson County 34-7 a week ago. The Warriors were paced by running back Charlie Goble, who ran for 103 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Giles won state championships in 1980 and (when it was in AA) and in 1993. Chilhowie won the first A championship ever contested in 1970.
Elsewhere, Magna Vista (10-1) visits Gate City (11-0) tonight for the Division 3 Region IV championship. The Blue Devils blasted Bassett 44-0 a week ago, rushing for 334 yards and holding the Bengals to three first downs. Bassett was the only team to beat Magna Vista this season. The Warriors shut out Martinsville 22-0 in the first round of the playoffs.
In Division 1 Region C, Bland County upset traditional power Parry McCluer 14-7 a week ago and tonight will play another regular postseason participant in Rural Retreat. The host Indians crushed Pocahontas 33-8 as Gene Fields carried for gains of 181 yards and scored three touchdowns.
LENGTH: Medium: 97 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Grayby CNB