THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 10, 1994 TAG: 9411090171
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX, SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
HE WALKED SLOWLY off the field. Taking every step with care.
Lakeland head coach Ed Smither called out ``Hey, Reg, you OK?''
Reginald Wiggins' response was a simple ``Yeah.''
That has become part of the post-game routine as Wiggins' 5-foot-7, 155-pound frame gets pounded harder and harder each week.
And that is probably more talking than Wiggins would prefer. Pardon the cliche, but Wiggins truly prefers to let his feet do the talking on the field.
He carried the ball 32 times in Lakeland's 15-3 win over York last week. That translated into 203 yards, which brought his season total to 1,192. But 32 carries is roughly 10 more than Smither would like him to have.
``I looked at the total last week,'' Smither said. ``I really only like him to carry 20 or 25 times. He takes a tremendous pounding out there, but it never fazes him.
``He has a big knot on his leg, all kinds of bruises and a hurt toe and he just keeps on running. That is just the kind of kid he is.''
The junior topped the 1,000-yard mark last season as well, and doesn't plan on altering the trend.
``If I could improve anything, I'd like to run the ball even harder,'' Wiggins said.
``You just go out there and work hard, and if its going to come, it will come naturally.
``When I first started playing I just wanted to run. That's all I do and the yards just come.''
With that attitude and ability it isn't hard to see why Smither designs the Cavaliers' entire offense around Wiggins.
``He isn't the fastest kid on the team,'' Smither said. ``We want to give the ball to someone who can make something happen.
``He has great vision and he follows the kids up front so well.
``The kids up front give him the opportunity to be a good player. If Wiggins gets two or three yards, the front guys are going to see to it that he gets five or six.''
Whitley Cisco, James Temple, Nathan Carr, Jamie Groves and Darius Bryant are the starting five who give Wiggins his running room.
They weigh in at a 227-pound average. Not necessarily overpowering, but Smither thinks their ability to play well together is the key.
``They have been together all year,'' Smither said. ``We have been very fortunate without having any injuries. The kids are like clones and they work so well together.
``You know the line is just as happy to see Wiggins do well as Wiggins is.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
Lakeland's Reginald Wiggins could exceed 1,200 yards this season
when the school faces Nansemond River.
by CNB