DATE: Friday, October 3, 1997               TAG: 9710030866

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C6   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY ROBIN BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                        LENGTH:   43 lines

RUN DEFENSE KEYS CHURCHLAND IT WILL FACE A STIFF TEST TONIGHT AGAINST LAKE TAYLOR'S RONYELL WHITAKER.

One has to look deep inside the numbers to find the key to Churchland's transformation from just another good team to a potential Eastern District champion this season.

The Truckers have the same overall record at 3-1 as last year while scoring fewer points and allowing more. The difference is their rushing defense, which is holding opponents to 82.3 yards per game, third-best in South Hampton Roads.

That sturdy defensive front keyed last week's 13-6 upset of then No. 2 Booker T. Washington in the district opener for both teams and will be put to the test again tonight when the Truckers play host to Lake Taylor for homecoming.

The Titans (3-1, 1-0) already have won more games than last season.

``We feel like we've won the games we were supposed to win,'' Titans coach Dan Newell said. ``I don't think we're deserving of everybody's attention yet, but if all goes well this week we should raise some eyebrows.''

Lake Taylor boasts one of the best rushing attacks in the area led by senior Ronyell Whitaker. He's enjoyed success against Churchland, carrying 33 times for 248 yards in three meetings.

Whitaker is averaging fewer than 14 carries per game this season.

``That's because we've scored on a lot of big plays and haven't had many sustained drives,'' Newell said. ``Also teams are keying on him, and we expect that. Ronyell wants the ball every time he can get it.''

Churchland has its own answer to Whitaker in sophomore quarterback Chatame Ward. He's rushed for 929 yards in his first 10 varsity games, an outstanding figure for a quarterback.

``He reminds me a lot of Ronyell,'' Newell said.

Pick: Churchland 26, Lake Taylor 14. Truckers' defense dictates tempo and forces key turnovers. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

HUY NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot

Churchland quarterback Chatame Ward looks to lead the Truckers past

Lake Taylor tonight.

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