THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, December 1, 1994 TAG: 9411300192
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 29 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DENISE MICHAUX SUN SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
LAST YEAR AT THIS time Nansemond River head coach Jerry Varacallo was trying to get used to being clean-shaven.
He told his players that if they won the region title he would shave his beard.
They did and he did.
It was the first time he had been without a beard since making a similar bargain as an assistant coach at John Yeates in 1982.
This year he made no such deals, but the Warriors grabbed their second straight Region I football title anyway with a 10-6 win over York on Saturday.
``This year I think we should make the assistant coaches get their ears pierced!'' Varacallo said with a laugh. ``If losing the beard means getting to the state final, I'll do it again.''
With a much bigger task at hand Nansemond River didn't waste very much time celebrating the region triumph.
``We're ecstatic about it,'' Varacallo said. ``We may not have shown it, but how often is it that you bring home two region titles in a row?
``This team seems to be more business-like. That team was more emotional.''
All but two of the starters on the 1994 team were there for last year's loss to Rustburg in the state final.
Before the teams even took to the field for warmups at Arrowhead Stadium, the visitors stands were filled.
Whether or not the Warriors can entice a big crowd to follow them to Spotsylvania remains to be seen.
``It would be great to have the fan support. I know the kids would respond,'' Varacallo said.
Looking at the records, Spotsylvania's is less than intimidating at 9-3. The same can't be said for the Knights' line which weighs in at an average of 250 pounds, including top Division I college prospect Evan Hunt, a 6-7, 300-pounder.
The Knights will come at the Warriors with a wing-T and 5-10, 210-pound senior fullback Rocky Woolfolk, who has topped 1,200 yards rushing this season.
Spotsylvania will use Woolfolk in the same manner that York used Je'cisken Ramsey, who carried the ball 27 times last weekend. He racked up only 92 yards and as Varacallo said, ``He earned every one of them. We couldn't stop him.
``Spotsylvania is going to try to power the ball at you and run at you until you stop them. They like to run the ball and keep the offense on the field which is, of course, what we want to do.''
Charlottesville scored 25 points, 18 in the second half, on Spotsylvania last week in a 39-25 loss. But the Black Knights weren't able to utilize any of their big play offense, something Spotsylvania coach Tim Coleman says is key to defensive scheme.
``We had everybody up rushing the punter and the quarterback harder,'' Coleman said. ``We are just going to work on being in the right places at the right time this weekend.''
NOTE - The accolades just won't stop for Donald Turner. Turner, who was named the Bay Rivers District defensive player of the year, earned that some honor when the all-region team was announced this week.
Turner earned first team selections at tight end, defensive back and kick-returner.
Guard Duane Smith was named to the second team offense.
Defensive end Lashawn Pugh and nose guard Curtis Barnes joined Turner on the defensive first team, while Leon Porter was named to the second team in the secondary.
Varacallo was named coach of the year in Division 4 to cap off the region selections, but he was quick to pass the honor on to his staff.
``My staff has done all of the work,'' Varacallo said. ``I just see it as being a reward for the coaches and good recognition for them.''
That staff includes - Lei Kendale, offensive coordinator; Dan O'Leary, defensive coordinator; J.B. Varney, kicking teams; Doug Dohey, defensive backs and JV coaches Vernon Lee and Michael Ricks and volunteers Michale Slaughter and Horace Riddick. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
The Nansemond River Warriors beat York 10-6 for the regional title
Saturday, and ecstatic members of the team flood the field at
Arrowhead Stadium, below. It was their second straight Region I
football title.
by CNB