THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 7, 1994 TAG: 9410060217
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, BEACON SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
When informed by the Tallwood athletic trainer that his day's practice would include no contact, Alvin Wilson's heart sank.
Wilson had sprained his left ankle last week against Cox and was being forced to take it easy for a few days.
He didn't like it one bit.
The mainstay in a Lions defense that is ranked No. 3 in the area, Wilson is quickly earning a reputation that has gotten the attention of opposing players.
Wilson is the embodiment of intense.
``He just wants to go, go, go,'' Tallwood coach Ken Barto said. ``His level of intensity is just great. He doesn't go 100 percent. He's 110 percent all the time.''
Doubling as a fullback against the Falcons, Wilson was ankle-tackled early in the second quarter and had to sit out the remainder of the game.
``Watching was killing me,'' the junior defensive end/fullback said. ``I didn't like it. I wanted to go back in so bad, but they wouldn't let me.''
Wilson's defensive statistics are far from overwhelming - 14 tackles in four games, five for losses and two quarterback sacks. But it is more the way he wreaks havoc with the opposing offensive backfield that is turning heads.
``He really gets after people,'' defensive coordinator Robert Jackson said. ``He gives play-action teams a lot of problems. He's so quick and he's always getting after the ball.''
That nose-for-the-ball attitude caused Wilson problems last year as a sophomore cornerback.
``He was always biting the fakes,'' Jackson said. ``But we've found a home for him. He's a pressure-type person.''
And he's one of the biggest reasons the Tallwood defense is allowing an area second-best five points per game.
Wilson vows to be ready for Kellam Friday night, as the Lions try to go to 5-0.
``I'm not really surprised at how we've done this season,'' said Wilson, who played basketball last year and will try his hand at wrestling this winter.
``When I tried out for the team last year I thought we had the team that could do something, but it just didn't happen. ``This year, the defense is doing such a great job that it is letting the offense do its thing without feeling much pressure.''
With a young Lions offense led by sophomore quarterback Gilbert Harris and freshman running back Taron Anderson, it's a good thing. The defense has afforded the offense time to mature and come into its own.
``And they have been,'' Wilson said. ``When I'm in at fullback, I try to pump the guys up and tell them we can't sit around and wait for the defense to do it all.
``It's been working. Taron is going to be a great one and Gilbert is getting his confidence going. He used to say `let's try this.' Now he says `let's score on this.' ''
So far, Wilson feels he is being largely overlooked by opposing coaches because he is new to the position.
But opposing quarterbacks are finding out who he is in a hurry.
``I like to see the look on their faces when I hit them - let them know I'm coming for them again,'' Wilson said, smiling. ``That's my favorite thing.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Alvin Wilson is wreaking havoc with opposing offensive backfields
from his new-found home at defensive end.
by CNB