
DATE: Friday, November 14, 1997             TAG: 9711140912

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C8   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: JAMES BLACK

                                            LENGTH:   38 lines

KELLAM WANTS TO FORCE WESTERN BRANCH TO PASS

No disrespect to Keith Burnell, but Kellam knows it can't focus its defensive scheme around the Western Branch star tailback.

``That's the thing with Western Branch. You just can't key on him,'' Kellam coach Chris Worst said of the area's fifth-leading scorer. ``You have to be very careful.''

The Knights, fifth in scoring defense, figure they could slow down Western Branch by forcing a passing game.

Kellam has 13 interceptions on the season, seven by Courtney Daily. But quarterback David Johnson has been the Bruins' biggest playmaker during the past month.

Johnson has thrown for more than 350 yards in the past three weeks and also ran in the game-winning touchdown against Deep Creek last week.

Defensively, the Bruins might be shaky on the line.

Mike Query, a first-team All-Southeastern District selection as an offensive tackle, cracked a bone in his ankle last Friday night and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. James Jarman will move into his spot for Western Branch.

Offensively, the Knights have to avoid turning the ball over. Kellam committed five turnovers in its loss to First Colonial last week. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

KELLAM vs. WESTERN BRANCH

Where: Oscar Smith, 8 p.m.

Records: Kellam 7-3, Western Branch 10-0

Key players: K - RB Sean Merritt (61-238 rushing), DB Courtney

Dailey (7 interceptions). WB - RB Keith Burnell (139-950, 21 TDs

rushing), QB David Johnson (44-94 785 passing), WR Emmett Johnson

(19-318 5 TDs receiving)

The pick: Western Branch, 20-6