DATE: Friday, September 19, 1997            TAG: 9709190883

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C4   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: - ROBIN BRINKLEY

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:   28 lines

W. BRANCH HAS EXTRA MOTIVATION FOR TRUCKERS

Top-ranked Western Branch received a jolt in its preparations for No. 7 Churchland when popular assistant coach Sam Warren was forced to step down Tuesday for health reasons.

Warren, in his second season, received much of the credit for a retooled defense that has held opponents to two touchdowns and 35 yards total rushing. Jeff Beard, a respected, veteran assistant coach at Deep Creek and Indian River, was hired to replace Warren and the coaching staff worked late through the week familiarizing him with the Bruins' and Truckers' schemes.

Beard's first task is slowing down the Truckers' option attack that rolled up 429 yards in last year's game. Quarterback Chatame Ward accounted for 258 of those yards, 204 on the ground.

Churchland coach Ken Taylor anticipates more resistance this time.

``We've spent a lot more time on our passing game and that's going to be important,'' Taylor said.

If the game becomes a battle of ball control, Western Branch should hold its own. The Bruins have three backs capable of rushing for 100 yards and coach Lew Johnston has added extra motion and shifts hoping to break the Truckers' defensive keys.

Pick: Western Branch 27, Churchland 14. Bruins win one for Sam Warren.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu