DATE: Friday, September 26, 1997            TAG: 9709240172

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: James Black 

                                            LENGTH:   65 lines

LOCAL STARS GETTING PLAYING TIME IN ACC

Periodically, The Virginian-Pilot will give an overview of local players making an impact in college football.

Here's an update on some former All-Tidewater and all-district football players who are making their presence felt in the ACC:

In Charlottesville, senior Joe Williams (Indian River) has become a mainstay in the defensive backfield for the University of Virginia.

Williams has been on the field for 118 plays - the second most behind defensive back Anthony Poindexter. In that time, Williams has been in on 10 tackles for the Cavaliers (1-1).

Four games into the season, North Carolina State (3-1, 1-1 ACC) has already won as many games as in 1996. Defensively, Bobbie Cotten (Windsor) has been an integral part of N.C. State's success.

Cotten, a defensive end and Group A's player of the year in 1993, has recorded a team-high three sacks. He made only three sacks all of last season.

``I worked hard this summer getting stronger,'' said Cotten, who hopes to record 15-20 sacks on the season. ``I've learned what to do in rushing the passer and in playing the run.''

Already, the Wolfpack has registered a stunning road victory over Syracuse and blown out Duke and Northern Illinois.

``The biggest difference is we're playing together,'' Cotten said. ``We have a lot of seniors this year who are bringing us together and showing their senior leadership.''

Next year, Cotten should expect a trio of former Southeastern District players to help the team.

Darius Bryant, an All-Tidewater lineman last year, and Nathan Carr both of Lakeland, are red-shirting for N.C. State this season. Another newcomer is Anthony Cason (Indian River), who spent last year at Milford (Conn.) Academy.

About 30 minutes away in Chapel Hill, a pair of former Southeastern District stars are starting for No. 5 North Carolina (3-0, 1-0).

Freshman Deon Dyer (Deep Creek), the Virginian-Pilot's player of the year in 1995, is starting at fullback for the Tar Heels.

Dyer, used almost exclusively as a blocker, has gained two yards on two carries. In addition, he has 27 yards on three receptions.

Sophomore Dre' Bly (Western Branch), an All-America cornerback, began this season the way he ended last year - with an interception.

Bly, one of the most touted defensive backs in the nation, had an interception in UNC's season-opening victory against Indiana. Since then, Bly's season has been relatively quiet.

The All-Tidewater football and baseball player has had no other interceptions and has been in on five tackles.

Another All-Tidewater performer from Western Branch is Wake Forest's sophomore Todd Hollowell.

Hollowell is being used sparingly on the offensive line for the Deacons (1-2 0-1 ACC), who opened the season with an upset of Northwestern for the second straight year.

And further down in the ACC, an All-TCIS performer is making an impact for Clemson.

Glenn Rountree (Nansemond-Suffolk) has been instrumental in the Tigers (2-1, 11 ACC) reaching the top 25.

Rountree was named the ACC's lineman of the week for Sept. 13 after No 17 Clemson's 19-17 victory at N.C. State.

Last weekend, the Tigers battled back on numerous occasions before falling to No. 4 Florida State, 35-28. MEMO: Rankings are according to the Associated Press writers' poll. KEYWORDS: COLLEGE REPORT

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