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Yes, I’m ready for some football


Published: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 10:49 PM EDT
It doesn’t seem all that long ago that Mat Tanner was throwing touchdown passes to Calvin Daniels. It doesn’t seem all that long ago that Raphael Marable was running all over the field. It doesn’t seem all that long ago that Gerald Lawrence was plowing down running backs.

Then again, it seems like forever since the high school football season ended.

Luckily, for gridiron fans, football kicks off on Monday with the first official day of practice for high school teams.

A slew of former area athletes are getting ready to don the pads once again for their respective college teams, as camps begin for most next month.


And Terrance Copper, the former Washington High School and East Carolina standout, is preparing to leave for Oxnard, Calif, for his third camp with the Dallas Cowboys.

High schools must adhere to strict guidelines during practice. Over the first three days of practice, only one practice per day is allowed. Players will wear helmets, shorts, T-shirts and football shoes during this time. Practice will be limited to two-hour sessions, though teams may also go through stretching, calisthenics, chalk sessions and film review.

Over the next three practice days, players may add shoulder pads to their gear. Again, one practice per day lasting two hours is permitted.

On the seventh day, after the completion of six full days of practice, players may wear complete uniforms. Also, body-to-body contact may begin.

Teams may also begin two-a-days, as a second practice may be conducted. During the second practice, players will wear helmets, shoulder pads, shorts, T-shirts and football shoes. Body-to-body contact is only allowed during one session on any given day.

I’m anxious to check out our area teams. It’s always interesting to see how teams will fill their holes from last year; what kind of changes will be in order and who the future stars will be on Friday nights.


For instance, who will fill the gaping holes left by quarterback Mat Tanner, receiver Calvin Daniels and linebacker Gerald Lawrence on the Washington Pam Pack?

Will the Southside Seahawks be a powerhouse once again? It seems coach DeWayne Kellum simply reloads each season.

What will be the changes at Northside and Williamston with new head coaches? Keith Boyd takes over for legendary Bing Mitchell (the new athletics director at Washington High School) at Northside, while Asim McGill replaces Hank Tice at Williamston.

College football will be just as interesting. Can the East Carolina Pirates continue their upsurge under head coach Skip Holtz?

Which ACC team will rule the roost?

What former area player will have a breakout season? Former Roanoke star Trimane Goddard looks to start at defensive back for the North Carolina Tar Heels. Goddard will have to rebound from a broken bone, but he should be ready to go by the fall.

Goddard had a solid year last year, and I’m expecting a huge season from him this year. This kid has NFL potential written all over him.

Former Plymouth standout Damien Linson will look to haul in more passes and touchdown for the Central Michigan Chippewas. Linson is also a return specialist for Central.

He was named to the second team on the CollegeFootballNews.Com Preseason All-Mid-American Conference team. I desperately want to get to one of Linson’s games to see him in person. He is flat-out dazzling.

A few other players in Division I are Washington’s own Jock Moore, Williamston’s Kevin Roach and Northside’s C.J. Wilson.

Moore has been working hard at hitting the field for the Tar Heels, and I expect to see him on the field on Saturdays.

Roach will be a team leader for the East Carolina Pirates this year. He might not put up the gaudy numbers of an Aundrae Allison, but he’ll be a steady possession receiver, solid blocker and sure-hands guy.

I’m hoping Roach will get into the end zone a few times as well.

Wilson is a beast. Once he learns the ropes of college football, he’ll be making a big impact with the ECU defense.

I’m also anxious to see what Williamsont’s Brad Roach will do in his second season as the starting quarterback for Catawba. The guy is huge and he has a cannon for an arm. His one year of experience under the belt can only help.

I had the chance to watch Brad play last season, and I’ll be sure to get to at least one game this year. He’ll be more of a leader this year as well, which should be fun to watch.

At the smaller schools, the talent is there. Southside’s Bryan Haywood had a sensational freshman year with N.C. Wesleyan. He’ll only put up bigger and better numbers this year.

Some others I’ll be keeping tabs on this season are Southside’s Davelle Whitney (N.C. Wesleyan), Clarence Baker (Methodist), Zack Squires (Chowan) and Emmanuel Moore (Chowan); Washington’s Nigel Rodgers (N.C. Wesleyan) and Gerald Lawrence (Elizabeth City); Roanoke’s Garrett Baker (Western Carolina); Northside’s Jacob Wilson (Western Carolina) and Greg Palmer (Chowan); and Mattamuskeet’s Greg Potter (Chowan).

I’m hoping for a big season for the recently married Terrance Copper as well. It will be interesting to hear his stories about Terrell Owens.

Finally, football is here. I’m ready.

Kevin Travis is the sports editor of the Washington Daily News. You may reach him at kevin@wdnweb.com. He will be out of the office until some time in August recuperating from total hip replacement surgery.

Maybe you can box the football schedules and run them on the jump page?? At least get the high school schedules in there. If you can fit the college ones in there too, that would be cool.

2006 Football Schedules

Washington Pam Pack

Coach: Sport Sawyer

Aug. 18 -- NORTH PITT

Aug. 25 -- at Tarboro

Sept. 1 -- HERTFORD COUNTY

Sept. 8 -- Bye

Sept. 15 -- at Nash Central

Sept. 22 -- at D.H. Conley

Sept. 29 -- at South Central

Oct. 6 -- WEST CRAVEN

Oct. 13 -- J.H. ROSE

Oct. 20 -- at New Bern

Oct. 27 -- HAVELOCK

Nov. 3 -- WEST CARTERET

Southside Seahawks

Coach: DeWayne Kellum

Aug. 18 -- Bye

Aug. 25 -- ROSEWOOD

Sept. 1 -- at Pamlico

Sept. 8 -- WILLIAMSTON

Sept. 15 -- at Gates County

Sept. 22 -- at Roanoke

Sept. 29 -- Bye

Oct. 6 -- PLYMOUTH

Oct. 13 -- at Camden

Oct. 20 -- PERQUIMANS

Oct. 27 -- MANTEO

Nov. 3 -- at Northside

Northside Panthers

Coach: Keith Boyd

Aug. 18 -- FIRST FLIGHT

Aug. 25 -- AYDEN-GRIFTON

Sept. 1 -- at Northampton-East

Sept. 8 -- at Camden

Sept. 15 -- PERQUIMANS

Sept. 22 -- at Plymouth

Sept. 29 -- GATES COUNTY

Oct. 6 -- at Manteo

Oct. 13 -- Bye

Oct. 20 -- WILLIAMSTON

Oct. 27 -- at Roanoke

Nov. 3 -- SOUTHSIDE

Williamston Tigers

Coach: Asim McGill

Aug. 18 -- at Northeastern

Aug. 25 -- EDENTON HOLMES

Sept. 1 -- JAMESVILLE

Sept. 8 -- at Southside

Sept. 15 -- MANTEO

Sept. 22 -- at Gates County

Sept. 29 -- PLYMOUTH

Oct. 6 -- Bye

Oct. 13 -- at Perquimans

Oct. 20 -- at Northside

Oct. 27 -- CAMDEN

Nov. 3 -- ROANOKE

Jamesville Bullets

Coach: Richie Ange

Aug. 18 -- Bye

Aug. 25 -- PLYMOUTH

Sept. 1 -- at Williamston

Sept. 8 -- at Columbia

Sept. 15 -- MATTAMUSKEET

Sept. 22 -- at Creswell

Sept. 29 -- CAPE HATTERAS

Oct. 6 -- Bye

Oct. 13 -- COLUMBIA

Oct. 20 -- at Mattamuskeet

Oct. 27 -- CRESWELL

Nov. 3 -- at Cape Hatteras

Roanoke Redskins

Coach: Brian Paschal

Aug. 18 -- at Northampton-East

Aug. 25 -- at North Edgecombe

Sept. 1 -- SOUTHEAST HALIFAX

Sept. 8 -- at Manteo

Sept. 15 -- Bye

Sept. 22 -- SOUTHSIDE

Sept. 29 -- at Camden

Oct. 6 -- PERQUIMANS

Oct. 13 -- GATES COUNTY

Oct. 20 -- at Plymouth

Oct. 27 -- NORTHSIDE

Nov. 3 -- at Williamston

Plymouth Vikings

Coach: Robert Cody

Aug. 18 -- FARMVILLE CENTRAL

Aug. 25 -- at Jamesville

Sept. 1 -- EDENTON HOLMES

Sept. 8 -- at Perquimans

Sept. 15 -- CAMDEN

Sept. 22 -- NORTHSIDE

Sept. 29 -- at Williamston

Oct. 6 -- at Southside

Oct. 13 -- MANTEO

Oct. 20 -- ROANOKE

Oct. 27 -- at Gates County

Nov. 3 -- Bye

Mattamuskeet Lakers

Coach: Chris Weikart

Aug. 18 -- at Rosewood

Aug. 25 -- NORTHAMPTON-EAST

Sept. 1 -- at Creswell

Sept. 8 -- CAPE HATTERAS

Sept. 15 -- at Jamesville

Sept. 22 -- COLUMBIA

Sept. 29 -- Bye

Oct. 6 -- CRESWELL

Oct. 13 -- at Cape Hatteras

Oct. 20 -- JAMESVILLE

Oct. 27 -- COLUMBIA

Nov. 3 -- Bye

Columbia Wildcats

Coach: TBA

Aug. 18 -- Bye

Aug. 25 -- MANTEO

Sept. 1 -- at Cape Hatteras

Sept. 8 -- JAMESVILLE

Sept. 15 -- at Pasquotank

Sept. 22 -- at Mattamuskeet

Sept. 29 -- CRESWELL

Oct. 6 -- CAPE HATTERAS

Oct. 13 -- at Jamesville

Oct. 20 -- Bye

Oct. 27 -- MATTAMUSKEET

Nov. 3 -- at Creswell

Creswell Tigers

Coach: Wayne Rodgers

Aug. 18 -- Bye

Aug. 25 -- at ENCSD

Sept. 1 -- MATTAMUSKEET

Sept. 8 -- Bye

Sept. 15 -- at Cape Hatteras

Sept. 22 -- JAMESVILLE

Sept. 29 -- at Columbia

Oct. 6 -- at Mattamuskeet

Oct. 13 -- Bye

Oct. 20 -- CAPE HATTERAS

Oct. 27 -- at Jamesville

Nov. 3 -- COLUMBIA

East Carolina Pirates

Sept. 2 -- at Navy, 5:30 p.m.

Sept. 9 -- at UAB, 7 p.m.

Sept. 16 -- MEMPHIS, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 -- WEST VIRGINIA, TBA

Sept. 30 -- Bye

Oct. 7 -- VIRGINIA, 6 p.m.

Oct. 14 -- TULSA, 3 p.m.

Oct. 21 -- SMU, 3 p.m.

Oct. 28 -- at Southern Miss, 8 p.m.

Nov. 4 -- at UCF, 4 p.m.

Nov. 11 -- MARSHALL, 1 p.m.

Nov. 18 -- at Rice, 3 p.m.

Nov. 25 -- at N.C. State, 1 p.m.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Sept. 2 -- RUTGERS, 3:30 p.m.

Sept. 9 -- VIRGINIA TECH, 12 p.m.

Sept. 16 -- FURMAN, 7 p.m.

Sept. 23 -- at Clemson, TBA

Sept. 30 -- Bye

Oct. 7 -- at Miami, Fla., TBA

Oct. 14 -- USF, TBA

Oct. 19 -- at Virginia, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 28 -- WAKE FOREST,TBA

Nov. 4 -- at Notre Dame, 2:30 p.m.

Nov. 11 -- GEORGIA TECH, TBA

Nov. 18 -- N.C. STATE, TBA

Nov. 25 -- at Duke, TBA

N.C. State Wolfpack

Sept. 2 -- APPALACHIAN STATE, 6 p.m.

Sept. 9 -- AKRON, 12 p.m.

Sept. 16 -- at Southern Miss, TBA

Sept. 23 -- BOSTON COLLEGE, TBA

Sept. 30 -- Bye

Oct. 5 -- FLORIDA STATE, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14 -- WAKE FOREST, TBA

Oct. 21 -- at Maryland, TBA

Oct. 28 -- at Virginia, TBA

Nov. 4 -- GEORGIA TECH, TBA

Nov. 11 -- at Clemson, TBA

Nov. 18 -- at North Carolina, TBA

Nov. 25 -- EAST CAROLINA, TBA

Duke Blue Devils

Sept. 2 -- RICHMOND, 6 p.m.

Sept. 9 -- at Wake Forest, 12 p.m.

Sept. 16 -- at Virginia Tech, 12 p.m.

Sept. 23 -- Bye

Sept. 30 -- VIRGINIA, TBA

Oct. 7 -- at Alabama, TBA

Oct. 14 -- FLORIDA STATE, TBA

Oct. 21 -- MIAMI, FLA., TBA

Oct. 28 -- VANDERBILT, TBA

Nov. 4 -- NAVY, TBA

Nov. 11 -- at Boston College, TBA

Nov. 18 -- at Georgia Tech, TBA

Nov. 25 -- NORTH CAROLINA, TBA

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Sept. 2 -- SYRACUSE, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 9 -- DUKE, 12 p.m.

Sept. 16 -- at Connecticut, 12 p.m.

Sept. 23 -- at Mississippi, TBA

Sept. 30 -- LIBERTY, TBA

Oct. 7 -- CLEMSON, TBA

Oct. 14 -- at N.C. State, TBA

Oct. 21 -- Bye

Oct. 28 -- at North Carolina, TBA

Nov. 4 -- BOSTON COLLEGE, TBA

Nov. 11 -- at Florida State, TBA

Nov. 18 -- VIRGINIA TECH, TBA

Nov. 25 -- at Maryland, TBA

Carolina Panthers

Sept. 10 -- ATLANTA FALCONS, 1 p.m.

Sept. 17 -- at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m.

Sept. 24 -- at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Oct. 1 -- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS, 1 p.m.

Oct. 8 -- CLEVELAND BROWNS, 1 p.m.

Oct. 15 -- at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m.

Oct. 22 -- at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m.

Oct. 29 -- DALLAS COWBOYS, 8:15 p.m.

Nov. 5 -- Bye

Nov. 13 -- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, 8:30 p.m.

Nov. 19 -- ST. LOUIS RAMS, 1 p.m.

Nov. 26 -- at Washington Redskins, 1 p.m.

Dec. 4 -- at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 -- NEW YORK GIANTS, 1 p.m.

Dec. 17 -- PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 1 p.m.

Dec. 24 -- at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m.

Dec. 31 -- at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.

Washington Redskins

Sept. 11 -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS, 7 p.m.

Sept. 17 -- at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m.

Sept. 24 -- at Houston Texans, 1 p.m.

Oct. 1 -- JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 8 -- at New York Giants, 1 p.m.

Oct. 15 -- TENNESSEE TITANS, 1 p.m.

Oct. 22 -- at Indianapolis Colts, 4:15 p.m.

Oct. 29 -- Bye

Nov. 5 -- DALLAS COWBOYS, 1 p.m.

Nov. 12 -- at Philadelphia Eagles, 1 p.m.

Nov. 19 -- at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1 p.m.

Nov. 26 -- CAROLINA PANTHERS, 1 p.m.

Dec. 3 -- ATLANTA FALCONS, 1 p.m.

Dec. 10 -- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES, 1 p.m.

Dec. 17 -- at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m.

Dec. 24 -- at St. Louis Rams, 1 p.m.

Dec. 30 -- NEW YORK GIANTS, 8 p.m.



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