THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 13, 1996 TAG: 9609130741
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C6 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 82 lines
For a guy who rushed for 1,012 yards and 13 touchdowns last season, Kempsville's Zeb Clark had a whole chorus of critics.
Recruiters questioned his speed. Coaches questioned his toughness. Even his dad questioned the way he made his cuts.
Questions demand answers and here they are.
Speed: Clark, a senior, ran the 40-yard dash in 4.64 seconds at the Beach Scouting Combine in May. That's mediocre for a tailback and a primary reason one area recruiter describes him as ``on the bubble'' as a Division I prospect.
Clark blames his time on a slow start, a correctable measure, and challenges anyone to catch him once he hits full stride.
``I don't think they can,'' he said. ``I haven't seen anyone on film do it.''
Not Great Bridge. Clark was a Cuisinart on legs in the Chiefs' 31-0 victory last Friday, rushing for 223 yards and four touchdowns.
Toughness: The issue came to a head last year against Tallwood. With Kempsville facing fourth-and-goal at the Lions' 1, Chiefs coach John Bowles replaced Clark with Trey Simkins.
Simkins didn't get in and Tallwood went on to win.
``I guess I wasn't showing coach I could get the tough yards,'' Clark said. ``That could have been the turning point. That got Tallwood on a high and they controlled the rest of the game. That won't happen this year.''
Not against Great Bridge. Three of Clark's TDs came on runs inside the tackles, including a 3-yard blast up the middle late in the first half for the game's first score.
Clark has lowered his center of gravity this season, Bowles said, and is looking to deliver a blow instead of just absorb one.
Cuts: Let dad address the issue.
``Football is all about eluding somebody,'' said Clark's father, Zeb Clark Sr. ``I wanted to see him move his feet faster.''
That works for Barry Sanders, but at 6-foot-2 and 190 pounds, Clark is more like Ricky Watters.
``He's not a great moves guy,'' Ocean Lakes coach Jim Prince said. ``He's a slasher.''
Note to recruiters: ``If Clark gets a step he has the speed to break it outside,'' Prince added.
His coming out party came last year against First Colonial, which also happens to be tonight's opponent. Clark carved up the Patriots for 140 yards on only 12 carries and scored four touchdowns on runs of 66 and 43 yards, an 87-yard kickoff return and a 27-yard interception return.
He had another four-TD night against Bayside and a personal-best 247 yards against Cox.
Bowles, who yanked Clark last year against Tallwood, is now his biggest booster.
``Zeb is a leader, a competitor, who would like to carry the ball on every play,'' Bowles said.
To illustate, Bowles told an anecdote from preseason camp.
``We spent a lot of time working on our passing,'' Bowles said, ``and one day after we broke into groups the first play I called was a pass. I was standing a couple of yards behind Zeb and he turned around and said, `Coach, don't forget we're a running team.' ''
Few others might have risked such a statement, even good-naturedly. But Clark has what Bowles calls a ``Hollywood personality.''
The gold chains, rings and earrings might have something to do with it. But even Clark knows that all that glitters isn't gold.
Clark might have a Hollywood personality, but he doesn't carry a Hollywood wallet.
Yep, that's Zeb, in his '89 Isuzu delivering them hot and fast for Wing King on the weekends. Hot wings are the biggest seller, but Clark prefers the barbeque and hickory smoked wings.
``It's a pretty cool job,'' he said. ``Sitting in the car, listening to music and delivering the chicken.''
But not as cool as delivering the ball to the end zone and listening to the cheers. Now that's music to the ears of a running back.
``I'm a totally different person on the field,'' he said. ``Down and dirty. Do the job. No ifs ands or buts.''
And no criticism, please. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LAWRENCE JACKSON, The Virginian-Pilot
Kempsville tailback Zeb Clark's speed, toughness and agility had
been questioned last year. He responded last week with a huge
performance. by CNB