The Daily News Leader from Staunton, Virginia • 30

6 Daily News Leader, SPORTS SPECTACULAR, August 30, 1996 Young Gladiators prepare for tough Skyline The defense is just as inex earning starting roles at wing-backslotback. The quarterback position is still undecided between junior David Wilson (5-7, 140) and sophomore Scotty Farrow (6-2, 155). Wilson will probably give his squad the better running skills, while Farrow possesses the better passing skills. Both are likely to see action and get the opportunity to showcase their talents. The offensive line is much the same story with only two seniors returning to their consists of only eight seniors on its 35 player roster.

In fact, Riverheads has only four players on either side of the ball that are returning starters. Offensively, the Gladiators will need a big year from senior returner Brian Hill (5-9, 160). "Brian Hill should emerge as our big-play back. His, and the other seniors, leadership will be keys to our team. Brian has good speed and instincts.

He is our go-to guy and may see the ball 30 times a game." By KEN JACOBSEN Sports Writer GREENVILLE Even the most loyal Riverheads fan may need a team roster for the 1996 Skyline District football season as the Gladiators are filled with new faces on the field and on the sideline. Riverheads new look begins with head coach Robert Casto, who takes over the controls of the Gladiators. Casto previously held a head coaching job at Chincoteague High School for three season before joining Riverheads as an assistant in 1992. Casto will now move up and attempt to lead a rebirth of Red White success. "I am really excited to be able to lead a program like Riverheads," commented Casto.

"We will be very young and inexperienced, but I have a great coaching staff (Ray Norcross, Gene Was-sick, Eric Sorrells, Jack Preston and Doug Zeis) and together we plan to have our team improve day by day and game by game and build on any positives our players achieve." When Casto talks of youth and inexperience, he speaks volumes about a squad that 0, starting roles. At one guard will be Jon Pollock, making the move from center to guard, with Matt Goss returning at tackle. The other front line starters likely to man the trenches are junior guard Justin Wright (6-2, 190), junior tackle Mike Brown (6-0, 245) and at center, sophomore Charlie Ward (6-0, 175). Rounding out the offensive unit are a pair of juniors battling for the starting tight end role, Darby Powers (6-3, 175) and David Bolin (6-3, 185). GOSS 1 Is row) Justin Smith, Bruce James Lery are being groomed for defensive tack- les, ana curtis Lockridge and jesse Lambert are hein conidered for defensive ends! Ko Riner fit nprfprtlw frr f0rhne" -r piaymg time.

Obvi- the numbers are there for all the line slot if not total Bath looks to build on state championship Joining Hill in the back-field is senior fullback Chris Wimer (5-9, 165), who is expected to do the provide some power running, along with junior Kenny Humphries (5-10, 185) and Kevin Phillips (5-6, 150), who is up off the JV team. A pair of seniors, Tony Allen (5-8, 150) and Derek Tinsley (5-8, 150) will give Riverheads speed and good hands at wideouts, with juniors Jared Hemp (5-7, 140) and Erik Chambers (5-8, 150) WIMER will, there comes a way." Obviously, this new crop of Chargers are well aware of the performance of the 1995 state champs and Isaacs likes to believe this will be a strength rather than a detriment. The single wing will again be the Chargers primary attack weapon. "It has worked for us in the past and there is no reason to believe it won't work this year," is Isaacs' answer to any question about the efficiency of the offense. For the record keepers, the Bath single wing amassed more than 350 points during the 1995 year while leaving tons of dust in the faces of the opponents.

Isaacs, however, does promise a new wrinkle or two to sugar the attack. Quickness is promised in the return of running backs Brandon Woodard, Brian Cauley, Tray Lightner, Chris Gwin, Anthony Pusey, Kevin Ryder, Kenny Rhoades, Max Urtola, Bruce Hill, Stephen Wood, Jamie Buzzard, Carl Hicks and Jason Riner. That obvious depth also promises a bright seasonal future. Defensive tackle strength follows in the personages of Josh Smith, Rhoades, Nathan Stanley, Chris Plogger, Greg Pritt, Chris Jackson and Alan Franklin. perienced and will once again! be keyed by its four senior! starters who must lead by ex ample.

Goss and Pollock will! attempt to anchor the de fense up the middle at their I inside tackle slots, while! Wimer and Bolin complete! the Gladiators 4-3 defensive set front line at the ends. Humphries, Hemp and Chambers provide Riverheads with a trio of quick swarming' defenders, who will man the linebacker posi-1 tions. Playing the corners will be I Powers and Wilson with Hill I and Farrow providing cover age as the safeties. "Our goals are pretty sim ple," began Casto, "We just want to improve everyday and get better with every game. All we can ask is for our kids to give 100 percent on every play.

"One thing I'm very en couraged by is that this is a very close knit team with guys who can get along and work hard together. That quality should help us jell to gether as a unit and hopefully that will play an important part in our season. season 06 A be gracing the scene for the i Tka Hill, Jamie Buzzard, Chris can Hicks. Tray Ligntner (Photo by Johnny Gazzola) At worst, Isaacs thinks his line will match with the size of any of the Charger oppo nents. The coaching staff will again be comprised of Isaacs, "arvey eye, rou iwj Kevin Via and Brian Sharp.

feack "fJJhaaa savs, xhev vB0SI, the kids POLLOCK if YJ HILL That will be our creed this season," he commented. Isaacs notes he has already been pleasantly surprised in several new football happenings. "We have been encour-agd by the turnout of 34 players. In fact, we have recruited several players we did not expect to come out. Football is something of a game of numbers in that the more you have the better your chances." He calls this club something of a "quiet bunch who doesn't do a lot of bragging, but rather a group which enjoys its work and goes about its football business without too much fanfare." Only 11 seniors do this year's squad which also casts hope for the coming years.

They range in size from 125-pound Max Urtola to 340-pound giant Mike Ryder. Then there are 290-pound Chris Jackson, 233-pound Curtis Lockridge, 230-Jon Shelton, B.J. Small, a 200-pounder who believes his name, and Josh Smith who weighs 203 pounds and is determined to prove he can play football as the list grows. Obviously there isn't that much foot speed with the Chargers heavies, but there appears interest to match the premise "where there is a By JOHNNY GAZZOLA Sports Writer HOT SPRINGS How about a few "buzz words" to answer the much asked question if the Bath County Chargers can produce in 1996 as they did in 1995. We say, "not impossible but highly improbable." Just how do you replace such players as Ivan Franklin, Matt Williams, 'Jamie Gwin, Cory Wolfe, Jamie Carroll, K.C Jones and so many others who combined talents for a district championship, regional title, 12-2 record and the largest prize of all, the state Group Division 1 title in the wake of that 30-20 victory over Strasburg last December.

The quick answer comes from head football coach Steve Isaacs who enters his seventh season with a 43-23 record and the pilot to all the above accolades. "Each team has its own personality. You don't try to imitate the other fellows, but rather play your own game as best you can. TAJ)ew flroup of backs will 1996 Bath Countv Charnors tha risfanriinn new backs Include (front vnpuou nvuu anu rwwj onan uauiey. Kevin Ryder.

Anthony Pusev and Brandon Hull Working at guards will be Darrel Hicklin, Travis Gwin, ivuies snimen ana iooy Kouns. Center strength is SZiTv 3nd rsatnan Maniey. "lw "B1" come from the ranks of Mark Williams and Jonathan Eye. Small, Matt Vermillion Franklin, Rhoades, Nathan tan1v XiIta T3 iH anI and they know me..