Phoebus' Lewis aiming higher
The Phantoms' Elan Lewis gained nearly 2,500 yards and scored 40 touchdowns last season and hopes to do better in 2004.
BY MICHAEL C. WRIGHT
247-4759
Published September 2, 2004
HAMPTON -- Bill Dee holds one-on-one meetings with his players at the end of each football season to talk about goals and improvements he'd like to see in the upcoming year.
Dee, entering his 21st season as Phoebus' coach, says that even great players have room for improvement.
But what could he possibly say to 2,000-yard running back Elan Lewis after his 40-touchdown junior season?
"I definitely didn't tell him how to cut or anything that has to do with running the ball," Dee said.
Lewis begins his quest for another 2,000-yard season today when Phoebus travels to Portsmouth to take on Woodrow Wilson. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at Churchland High School.
"It'll be pretty hard, but I think I'll be able to do it ," Lewis said of reaching the 2,000-yard mark. "I hope to do better statistically this year. But what I want the most is another state championship for my team."
The Presidents, like everybody else, will stack eight men in the box today to stop Lewis, but he's not too concerned. Lewis is motivated by the memory of former Phoebus quarterback Ronnie Hendricks, who died in a June car crash in Hampton.
Lewis has dedicated his senior season to Hendricks. "I'd like to go all the way for Ronnie," he said. "It still hurts that we lost him."
Lewis, who has 4,724 yards, is 2,356 yards behind Group AAA record-holder Daniel Davis of Brooke Point.
"I think Elan is going to have a great season," Dee said. "We're not going in worrying about Elan getting 2,000 yards. If he gets 1,000 and we go 14-0, we're happy."
The Phoebus-Wilson matchup is one of three games that jumpstart the area's high school football season, which will feature more games on Friday and Saturday.
Denbigh and Bethel are the other Peninsula District teams playing season openers tonight. The Patriots meet Churchland at 7 p.m. at Todd Stadium. The Bruins take on Granby in a 7 p.m. game at Lake Taylor High School.
"We're excited," Bethel coach Tracey Parker said. "Granby is a good team."
Menchville opens at Todd Stadium against Maury on Friday at 7 p.m., while Kecoughtan hosts Nansemond River at the same time at Darling Stadium.
Peninsula District teams were 4-6 in their 2003 season openers. Hampton, Gloucester and Warwick start their seasons next week along with Heritage and Woodside.
But to start things, many fans will be eyeing Phoebus, which finished 10-2 last season, and its hard-nosed running back. Lewis, 5-feet-9, 210 pounds, is five pounds heavier than he was last season, and Dee says he looks stronger.
"You always want to have power for those big linebackers," Lewis said. "You've got to be able to give them a little shock when they get to you. If you don't want to make contact, you've got to be able to run from them."
Dee is most impressed with Lewis' ability to play well without the ball. Lewis picked up blitzes and did a good job of carrying out fakes in last week's exhibition against Western Branch.
"He did some things that a lot of tailbacks won't do," Dee said. You can't teach a great running back how to run, but I've noticed this year that Elan is still improving on the little things. Elan sets a good precedent for the rest of our backs." «