THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 13, 1995 TAG: 9510120115
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 21 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY GARY EDWARDS, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
RAY RUFFIN has coached the 140-pound Bayside Rams community recreation football team for six years.
Never has he expressed the kind of uncoachlike optimism as he has about the current season.
``The team is coming together,'' he said, even though his team is a game out of first place in its division. ``If we play up to our level, I think we can take it all.''
Although they have a potent offense, Ruffin, like most coaches, said it's his defense that'll take them all the way.
Ruffin listed three reasons why he thinks his team has a chance - John McCoy, E.J. Brown and Terry Goings.
McCoy is a good option quarterback. Brown is a wide receiver with good hands, and when McCoy isn't driving defenses crazy, Goings is.
``John plays cornerback for us,'' said Ruffin. ``E.J. is a defensive end and Terry plays safety.''
The Rams won their season opener, 14-0, against the Kempsville Chiefs and had a 4-1 record going into the sixth week.
If Ray Ruffin is confident, Wayne Renfro is amazed that his Kings Grant Vikings remain undefeated through six games. The Vikings play in the 120-pound league.
``Only two of our guys are 115 pounds,'' said Renfro. ``We have no speed, to go with no size . . . and very little experience. Four of our kids played tackle football coming in to the season and the rest either played flag or didn't play at all.''
And this is only Renfro's second season as coach of a tackle team - his first at Kings Grant. He coached a West Kempsville team last year.
``The biggest thing our guys have going are heart and guts,'' Renfro said.
And defense. The Vikings had allowed one touchdown in their first four games.
``We have four real fine linebackers,'' said Renfro.
Renfro's son, Wayne Jr. had thrown for five touchdowns in the first four weeks. Chris Balmer and R.C. Horan play in the backfield behind Renfro. ILLUSTRATION: RECREATION FOOTBALL
Photos by GARY EDWARDS
Running back Chris Balmer, aided by a gaping hole in the line, picks
up yardage for the Kings Grant Vikings against the Great Neck
Bulldogs in the 120-pound division.
In only his second year coaching tackle football, Wayne Renfro,
left, has his Kings Grant Vikings undefeated through six games in
the 120-pound league.
Coach Ray Ruffin, seated on cooler, led his Bayside Rams to a 14-0
season-opening victory over the Kempsville Chiefs. They are 4-1
heading into the sixth week of the 140-pound league.
YOUTH STANDINGS
[For a copy of the chart, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB