THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608090215
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY PAUL WHITE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 93 lines
There's no debate about the theme of Suffolk football 1996, an obvious and somewhat pessimistic transition that can be summed up thusly: Goodbye, Group AA Region I, where eight of 13 teams made the playoffs, and Hello, Group AAA Southeastern District, arguably the most competitive and unforgiving league in the state.
Nobody needs to explain the new realities to Lakeland head coach Ed Smither and his Nansemond River counterpart, Jerry Varacallo, who led their respective factions of football onto the field for their first practices Monday.
This early into the pre-season routine, only the most naive coach will speak definitively about his team when queried for the record. Still, a lot can be gleaned from the comments of even media-savvy types like Smither and Varacallo when one reads between the lines.
Then again, sometimes, the lines speak for themselves.
Smither: ``If we had to (move up to Group AAA), this is a good year to do it.''
Varacallo: ``This thing is catching us at a bad time.''
In fairness to the coaches, five days is hardly enough time to carefully assess the talent on hand. That's why they make such a big deal out of veterans, guys who have been through the battles before. Experienced players allow coaches to spend less time on teaching, more on execution. Yes, at this time of year, few things excite coaches more than familiar faces, and lots of them.
Smither: ``I'm top-heavy with seniors. Twenty out of my 43 kids are seniors.''
Varacallo: ``I've got two seniors. I may get two more. I've got a couple of guys in summer school and if they make a certain grade . . . Basically, this is the most inexperienced team we've put on the field.''
Experience isn't everything. Sometimes, sheer numbers can offset a lack of veterans.
Smither: ``We've had a good turnout. I'm pleased.''
Varacallo: ``This is the smallest turnout we've had in years. With the kids in Suffolk, I think it's a wait-and-see kind of thing. They know we don't have a lot coming back, and they think `Why should I go out there and get pounded week after week?' ''
Skill position players make plays, linemen make the difference. At least that's what the linemen say.
Smither: ``The thing I like most about my group is I've got four seniors who are solid up front. That's what you need in this league to compete. If you don't have anyone up front, you're going to get murdered.''
Varacallo: ``I figure we're going to be the smallest team in the district. So we've told 'em to get used to it, get it in your heads and don't let it intimidate you.''
Past performance can be a valuable barometer of what lies ahead. Teams that haven't experienced winning in recent years often struggle to break the losing cycle, while perennial winners tend to feed off recent glory.
Smither: ``These things go in cycles, and the last three years we've gone 3-7, 5-5 and 8-4. I'd say we're in the top of a cycle right now.''
Of course, no indicator of future performance is perfect.
Varacallo: ``Sure we've won three straight regional titles, but we knew all along it would take us two or three years to be where we want to be.''
Surely there must be some positive developments coming out of Warrior camp.
Varacallo: ``Actually, our inexperience is the good news. If there's anything new we want to do with them, we can just do it because there's no bad habits to break.''
Varacallo could be intentionally pooh-poohing the Warriors' situation to prepare fans spoiled by perennial playoff appearances for today's considerably grimmer postseason outlook. In making the jump to Group AAA, the Warriors are moving from the relatively weak Division 4, where 4-6 teams were often playoff-bound, to Division 5, where last year's 8-2 Western Branch was a non-playoff qualifier.
Granted, fans streaming into the Suffolk stadiums from the popular Southeastern District teams should be a marked improvement over the relative handful of folks who followed Bruton and Poquoson into town. But can the local fans be counted on for their support?
Smither: ``I've got four of my first five games at home. If we can get a little momentum going . . . We averaged about 1,000-1,200 at the gate last year. If we could double that, get 2,500 a night in this stadium, that would really be something.''
Varacallo: ``I just hope if things don't go our way, (the fans) don't get discouraged and say `Ah, forget it.' Remember, it's a whole new ballgame now.'' MEMO: EDITOR'S NOTE _ It's worth remembering that the eternally
optimistic Smither always feels he's one play away, while the
wonderfully candid Varacallo tends to fret about the play that got away.
One thing seems certain, though. Practice is only a week old, and this
is already shaping up to be a memorable year for football followers in
the Peanut Capital. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photos by MICHAEL KESTNER
Lakeland's Darius Bryant warms up with a football Wednesday
afternoon as the Cavaliers begin practice.
Nansemond River's Anthony Jones does jumping jacks with the rest of
the students hoping to make the team. by CNB