THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610230195
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 25 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MICHELLE SCHLOFF, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: 70 lines
For two weeks, there were some things missing from the Greenbrier Christian football team.
And they all answer to the name of Wayne Griffin.
The do-it-all junior, who had been sidelined with a shoulder injury, plays running back, flanker, linebacker, kick returner and serves as the long snapper and backup placekicker and punter for the Gators. He leads the team in receptions (20 catches for 348 yards and two touchdowns), kickoff returns and morale.
``There was a question as whether Wayne was going to be able to play Friday night,'' Greenbrier coach Tommy Lewis said after Griffin returned to the lineup in the Gators' 24-19 victory over Broadwater Academy. ``He came and showed a lot of guts and determination.''
He has also battled the shoulder ailment and been forced to deal with the possibility of being hypoglycemic, which leaves him tired.
``Wayne hasn't been feeling right,'' Lewis said. ``He and his parents are trying to figure out what he has and the doctors aren't quite sure yet, but his attitude is great.''
Griffin credits the team and Lewis with giving him a reason to recover and the ability to share in a Gators' win streak that has now reached three games.
``It was all a popularity contest last year,'' said Griffin. ``This year it's totally teamwork.''
Last year's team finished 3-7 overall and 2-2 in the Tidewater Conference of Independent Schools.
``They are trying so hard and I'm so proud of everyone,'' he said.``I have a lot of favorite people on this team. My favorite is probably Matt Ritchie.''
Ritchie, the 5-foot-9, 128-pound senior wide receiver and defensive back, has been nicknamed by his team ``Rudy'' for giving it his all on every play.
``We know that we are all out here to have fun,'' Griffin said. ``There is so much respect for each other.''
The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Griffin thinks he is too small to play on the college level. If for some reason he got the opportunity, his dream would be to play at the University of Virginia or Virginia Tech.
``I would love to have the opportunity to play at one of those schools,'' said Griffin. ``If I don't get a chance I want to own my own landscaping business one day.''
Griffin knows that his parents made the right decision about sending him to Greenbrier Christian.
``I have so many friends here,'' he said. ``I've got things here that I wouldn't have gotten in public school.''
Griffin says that there are many people at the school that he admires, but Greenbrier athletic director Ed Bailey tops the list.
Bailey underwent shoulder surgery this summer, yet still manages to keep up with Greenbrier athletics.
``Just look at this place,'' Griffin said of the football stadium and complex. ``He does it all. He's an old man, but he lines and cuts the field, he makes calls, and he sells stuff in the concession stand. He really does so much for us.''
If Greenbrier can win the next two games at Kenston Forest and at Nansemond-Suffolk, the Gators' record will be 5-5 - their best in the last five years.
The Nansemond-Suffolk game will be a particularly big one for Griffin.
Half of the Saints' team used to attend church with Griffin.
``I know most of those guys pretty well and we're friends, but it's going to be a war on the field and they know that,'' Griffin said. ``There are some big guys out there, but I'm not scared.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Wayne Griffin
Greenbrier Christian junior
KEYWORDS: HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL by CNB