DATE: Thursday, October 16, 1997            TAG: 9710150200

SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN             PAGE: 16   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:  106 lines

BROCK HAS BEEN ON TARGET AS WINDSOR QUARTERBACK

Here's an update on the non-Suffolk schools from Western Tidewater

Perhaps more than anyone, coach John T. Bangley has been pleasantly surprised by the numbers of Windsor quarterback Matt Brock. Not that Brock didn't have the ability to throw the ball well but. . .

``I didn't know if I wanted it to be that way,'' Bangley, a former Nansemond-Suffolk quarterback, said of the pass-oriented offense.

But seven games into Brock's senior season and Bangley's first, throw and throw again has been the scheme for Windsor (2-5, 0-1 Tri Rivers).

Brock has completed 114 of 232 passes for 1,473 yards. He's thrown 15 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.

``Of course, I love throwing it but it definitely helps to have a running game,'' Brock said.

Unfortunately for the Dukes, there has been no consistent ground attack. Windsor has rushed for 620 yards and seven touchdowns on 168 carries. In fact, Brock's top two receivers have been as productive as the running game.

Kenny Turner has 49 receptions for 654 yards and six touchdowns. Lee Johnson has 39 catches for 608 yards and five touchdowns.

``It feels like we have more of a reason to be out there,'' Brock said, comparing this year's team to last season's 0-10 squad. ``We're having a lot more fun.''

Franklin

The Broncos (0-6, 0-5 Bay Rivers) have not had much to be happy about his season.

Franklin was held to 202 of total offense and 11 first downs in a 17-6 home loss to Grafton Friday night.

Among the Broncos' many problems this season have been turnovers. Franklin committed five turnovers last week.

Another problem has been consistency at quarterback. Coach Darian Bell has gone with three different signal-callers this season.

Isle of Wight

The Chargers' hopes of the state's No. 1 private schools' ranking was wiped out with a 22-8 loss to top-ranked Fuqua.

IOW (6-1) hosts Brunswick Academy Friday night.

Smithfield

The Packers (3-3, 3-2 Bay Rivers) have relied on an option offense and tough defense to improve on last year's two-win season.

Smithfield has rushed for 1,129 yards and 10 touchdowns on 223 carries - just over 188 yards a game. The passing game has accounted for another 461 yards and three touchdowns.

Chris Parker, who started the season at quarterback, has become the Packers' primary running back. Parker has gained 532 yards with five touchdowns on 47 carries.

Quarterback Bob Edwards is 17 of 35 for 315 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Kelby Saunders has led the receivers with 14 catches for 302 yards and one touchdown. However, both aspects of the offense were a disappointment in Friday's 13-6 loss to York.

The Packers turned the ball over three times against York - one leading to a Falcons score and another inside the game's final two minutes.

Defensively, though, Smithfield has held its own. The Packers have allowed just three offensive scores in their last three games.

Southampton

From one year to the next, some of the names change but the results remain the same: the Indians (6-0, 5-0) atop the Bay Rivers district.

Southampton football, marked by a loaded ground attack and a punishing defense, has earned the Indians the top ranking in the state Group AA poll.

``The kids have done a good job,'' coach Littleton Parker said. ``The expectations are there. They've taken it seriously. I can't say enough about them.''

Southampton has three running backs - Author Porter, Torrey Goodwyn and Pervis Binns - who are on a pace to each gain more than 800 yards.

The trio has already combined to gain more than 1,600 yards and has scored 25 touchdowns.

Greg Scott, all-district last year at both tight end and defensive end, has caught five touchdown passes.

Most impressive to Parker though has been the defensive line.

The Indians, with four new linemen on both sides of the ball, have held five of their six opponents under 10 points.

Southampton Academy

This was supposed to be a rebuilding year. Or so coach Dale Marks thought.

Of the Raiders' 12 players, six did not play a year ago. But instead of waving the white flag and becoming fodder, Southampton Academy (6-1, 6-1 CCC) has once again established itself as a team to beat.

David Gibbs, who had not played football in two years, has stepped in at linebacker and fullback. He scored on two passes from quarterback Bland Pope in Friday's 40-0 victory over Hobgood.

Joe Edwards, a first-time player, has made a big impact at defensive back.

``His tackling for a kid who has never played football is amazing,'' Marks said.

Newcomers John DeVincenzi and Larry Dunn have also been pivotal. But through the thick and thin, Marks has been able to count on veterans Bland Pope and Adam Webb.

In addition to the two scoring passes to Gibbs, Pope also scored on a seven-yard run Friday.

``Bland Pope is our leader,'' Marks said. ``He's not a vocal leader but our team seems to swing on how he's doing.''

Webb, who gained 105 yards on seven carries, opened the scoring with a 59-yard run Friday. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER

Windsor quarterback Matt Brock has completed 114 of 232 passes for

1,473 yards. He's thrown 15 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. KEYWORDS: WESTERN TIDEWATER FOOTBALL

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