THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 4, 1996 TAG: 9608020222
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Sports
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 145 lines
HIGH SCHOOL football practice begins Monday, and the prevailing sentiment in the Beach District seems to be: Thank goodness, Green Run graduated 18 starters.
The Stallions have won 20 games over the past two seasons, featuring some of the best talent ever to come out of the district. New Green Run coach Johnny White warns against underestimating the Stallions, but it's clear they won't be favored to repeat as champions.
Who will be the champ? Of the coaches willing to go on the record, most picked Kempsville. Ocean Lakes and Tallwood also garnered some support.
First Colonial appears poised to be the comeback team of the year. The Patriots plummeted to 2-8 last fall, their first losing season under Frank Webster.
Following is a brief look at each team entering training camp.
BAYSIDE
Coach: Bill King
1995 record: 3-7
1996 overview: The Marlins will be very inexperienced with as few as four seniors.
Summer surprise: Dan Harris, a 6-1, 225-pound senior fullback and linebacker who was ineligible after transferring in last year, has worked hard and will have an impact.
Biggest hole: King must find a quarterback to replace Jimmy Walker, whose passing carried the offense. The frontrunner for the position is Donovan Vines, whom King compares to former Marlins starter Jeff Wallace.
First game: Sept. 6 at Dematha
King's preseason pick: Kempsville
COX
Coach: Reggie Garrett
1995 record: 5-5
1996 overview: The Falcons lost 20 seniors, including much of their size. But the skill players performed well in two summer passing leagues.
Summer surprise: Quarterback Ashkon Razavi is ready to start after throwing only 11 passes last year.
Biggest hole: The offensive line and kicking games.
First game: Aug. 29 at home vs. Granby
Garrett's preseason pick: Kempsville and Tallwood
FIRST COLONIAL
Coach: Frank Webster
1995 record: 2-8
1996 overview: The Patriots are bigger, stronger and more experienced with the entire offensive backfield returning.
Summer surprise: Manzell Hines, a 6-foot, 200-pound linebacker and wideout who transferred in from New York, should contribute on both sides of the ball.
Biggest hole: The lines still lack the size to dominate.
First game: Aug. 29 at home vs. Maury
Webster's preseason pick: Kempsville, Tallwood
GREEN RUN
Coach: Johnny White
1995 record: 11-1
1996 overview: White becomes the youngest head coach in the area at 26 and must replace eight starters on both sides of the ball.
Summer surprise: Junior tackle Terrence Worlds (6-2, 298) is ready to start after spending most of last fall on the JV.
Biggest hole: Even with Worlds, the offensive line is a concern.
First game: Sept. 6 vs. Maury at Harbor Park
White's preseason pick: Kempsville
KELLAM
Coach: Chris Worst
1995 record: 1-9
1996 overview: The Knights have excellent speed led by Kendrick Jacobs, but still lack size.
Summer surprise: Junior quarterback Brandon DeGraff had a good summer in the passing league and his development will allow Jacobs to play running back.
Biggest hole: The offensive line.
First game: Aug. 29 at home against Great Bridge
Worst's preseason pick: Kempsville
KEMPSVILLE
Coach: John Bowles
1995 record: 7-4
1996 overview: Bigger and faster with loads of experience.
Summer surprise: Junior quarterback Matt Lemn actually has Bowles talking about passing the ball in situations other than third-and-long.
Biggest hole: The defense broke down at times last year. Replacing Hans Beene, four-year starter on the line, is a concern.
First game: Sept. 6 at Great Bridge
Bowles' preseason pick: None
OCEAN LAKES
Coach: Jim Prince
1995 record: 5-5
1996 overview: Great size and experience could produce first playoff bid.
Summer surprise: Junior safety Chris Scott blossomed in the passing league.
Biggest hole: The Dolphins lack a game-breaking wide receiver.
First game: Sept. 6 at Hickory
Prince's preseason pick: Ocean Lakes, Tallwood and Kempsville
PRINCESS ANNE
Coach: Jeff Ballance
1995 record: 4-6
1996 overview: Ballance returns to his alma mater to find not much depth or strength.
Summer surprise: Ballance didn't fill out his staff until Wednesday, a situation that leaves the coaches learning with the players when practice starts.
Biggest hole: Tailback Mike Majette graduated as the all-time leading rusher in South Hampton Roads.
First game: Sept. 6 vs. Granby at Chittum Field
Ballance's preseason pick: Kempsville
SALEM
Coach: Bill McTyre
1995 record: 6-4
1996 overview: The Sun Devils have great speed with four players running under 4.5 seconds in the 40-yard dash. Size, as always, is lacking. McTyre is looking to build off last year's successful season and hopes athletic ability will make the difference.
Summer surprise: Chris Satterfield transferred in last week from Nansemond River and shows promise of contributing at strong safety or linebacker.
Biggest hole: Depth on both lines is a huge concern, considering the lack of size.
First game: Aug. 30 at Lake Taylor
McTyre's preseason pick: Wide open.
TALLWOOD
Coach: Ken Barto
1995 record: 8-3
1996 overview: Terrific collection of skill players, including quarterback Gilbert Harris, who passed for 1,048 yards last year, should ease the transition for three new 300-pounders on the lines.
Summer surprise: Junior wideout Andre Walker sprouted 2 1/2 inches to 6-4 1/2 and trimmed his time in the 40 from 5.3 to 4.6.
Biggest hole: Replacing defensive ends Alvin Wilson and John Joseph.
First game: Sept. 6 at Lake Taylor
Barto's preseason pick: None. ILLUSTRATION: Football
File photo
The return of quarterback Gilbert Harris, who passed for more than
1,000 yards last year, is a plus for Tallwood this season. by CNB