THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 17, 1995 TAG: 9510170401
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
One of the most remarkable streaks in Hampton Roads football history is in jeopardy.
In 29 seasons at First Colonial and six at Deep Creek, Frank Webster has never had a losing record. But at 1-5, the best the Patriots can do this season is break even, and the odds against that are long.
First Colonial will be an underdog in at least three of its four remaining games, beginning Friday night at Salem. The Patriots also play Cox, Kellam and Tallwood.
``It's been a tough season,'' Webster said. ``The kids are doing the best they can.''
First Colonial was in the region playoffs as recently as 1992 and reached the state semifinals in 1991 and 1989. But the redrawing of attendance zones followed by the opening of Ocean Lakes last season has taken its toll.
``We lost the north Beach to Cox and the Seatack area to Ocean Lakes,'' Webster said. ``We have a really small senior class and are playing a lot of sophomores and freshmen.
``I think the future looks bright as long as everyone keeps hanging in there.''
Does that include Webster?
``All I know is that I'll be there Friday night,'' he said.
SHORT PASSES: His name doesn't appear among any of the area leaders, but few players are having a better season than Green Run's Plaxico Burress. The 6-foot-6, 210-pound senior has caught 12 passes for 265 yards and seven touchdowns, but he might be even better on defense. He had three interceptions last week against Salem and has become one of the most fearsome hitters in the area. Burress, who retook the SAT on Saturday, says he gets about 15 letters and five to six calls a day from college recruiters ... Friday's Green Run-Cox game will mark the first-ever matchup of black head coaches in the Beach District. Green Run's Cadillac Harris had been the the district's only black head coach for seven seasons until Reggie Garrett was hired this year. Garrett roomed with Harris' brother, Tyran, at Norfolk State and served as an assistant at Green Run for seven seasons ... Two sections of bleachers seating about 200 at Western Branch have been roped off until rusty girders can be repaired. School officials have been promised the work will be completed in time for the Bruins' game against Deep Creek on Nov. 10 ... Denbigh had three players rush for more than 100 yards apiece in a 35-7 upset Phoebus last Saturday that left the Peninsula District with a virtual three-way tie for first. Phoebus and Hampton are 6-1 and Kecoughtan is 5-1. Phoebus and Hampton meet Nov. 3. All three teams are in Division 5.
IT MUST BE THE COACHING: There is a lot of football still to be played, but Cox's Reggie Garrett, Salem's Bill McTyre and Oscar Smith's Bill Lyons deserve some coach-of-the-year votes if their teams continue to play well.
Cox is 3-3 despite being outscored 138-82 and being outgained 2,010 yards to 1,170. The Falcons have won two games by one point each.
Oscar Smith and Salem are also 3-3 despite ranking 23rd (last) and 22nd, respectively, in total offense in South Hampton Roads. The Tigers have compensated by playing tenacious defense; they rank third in scoring defense, allowing only 8.8 points per game.
Salem sprung the biggest upset of the year, beating Tallwood 3-0. The resilient Sun Devils also beat Bayside in five overtimes, lost to unbeaten Kempsville in two overtimes and trailed unbeaten Green Run by only a touchdown entering the fourth quarter before falling 42-15.
MILESTONES: Western Branch quarterback Daryl Walton passed for 141 yards against Great Bridge to run his career total to 2,002. Walton, a junior, has thrown only eight interceptions in 217 attempts, and five of those came in his first three starts last year. ... Princess Anne's Mike Majette moved into fourth place on the area's all-time Group AAA rushing list with 3,625 yards. His three touchdowns against First Colonial gave him 204 career points. by CNB