THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 10, 1994 TAG: 9411080138
SECTION: NORFOLK COMPASS PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PATTI WALSH, COMPASS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 56 lines
WITH THE REGULAR SEASON coming to a close Friday, only two teams remain in the hunt for the Eastern District's automatic berth to the playoffs.
Either Booker T. Washington or Lake Taylor will claim the district championship and advance to the Division 5 semifinals as the No. 3 seed.
The Bookers (5-4, 3-0), who are coming off a 23-21 loss to Wilson, wrap up the season against Norview on Friday night at Chittum Field, while the Titans (5-4, 2-1), who had last week off, will face Maury on Thursday night at Chittum.
In order for Booker T. to claim its first title since 1984, it must defeat Norview (4-4, 1-2) or have Lake Taylor lose.
Should Booker T. lose to the Pilots and Lake Taylor beat Maury, both teams will finish 6-4 overall and share the top spot in the Eastern District with a 3-1 record.
In that case, Lake Taylor will find itself in a scenario similar to last season: the power ratings will determine the titlist.
``I think Norview can beat Booker T.,'' said Lake Taylor coach Bert Harrell, whose team made its last semifinal appearance two years ago only to lose to state champion Bethel. ``They'll have to play well. Booker T. has lost three out of the last four and now is not the time to be losing. It'll be interesting.''
A key for Norview, Harrell said, is shutting down Booker T. quarterback Michael Beverly. He leads the district in passing with 882 yards and 13 touchdowns.
``If they do that, then they'll be OK,'' Harrell said of the Pilots.
Lake Taylor and Maury tied for the 1993 title, but the Commodores advanced to the playoffs on the basis of a higher power rating.
But if it comes down to the ratings this season, the Titans won't be sidelined.
Lake Taylor, a decided favorite against a young Maury squad, will have victories over Salem, Indian River, Norview, Churchland and Granby for at least a 9.70 rating. The Bookers also could finish with a 9.7.
If the teams tie, Booker T. will gain the bid based on its 8-6 triumph over the Titans. But a tie in power points is highly improbable.
Booker T. needs Oscar Smith (1-8) to beat Indian River (6-3) and Bayside (5-4) to beat Ocean Lakes (2-7) just to pull even with Lake Taylor.
But the Titans also can pick up bonus points if Salem (3-6) beats Cox (1-8), Indian River (6-3) defeats Oscar Smith and Churchland (5-4) tops Wilson (2-7). ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JIM WALKER
Michael Basnight of Booker T. Washington finds a hole in Oscar
Smith's defense. The Bookers could win their first district title
since 1984.
by CNB