When new North Stafford coach Eric Cooke got a look at freshman linemen Pat Slebonick, Tony North and Cordarrow Thompson before the 2001 season, he saw promise -- and a problem. He recognized that the trio, weighing nearly half a ton combined, could give the Wolverines program a solid foundation. He also realized he didn't have helmets big enough for them to wear, forcing the coach to put in a rush order the week before practice started.
"Man, I've got some Division I size," Cooke remembers saying to himself. "Now if they continue to learn and continue to get better, I'll have some Division I players."
Over the next two years, Cooke said, all three players developed and the recruiting chase was on. Virginia's Al Groh called. Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer made the trip to Garrisonville, sitting in the blue plastic chair in Cooke's office. Assistant coaches phoned repeatedly.
Now seniors, the three have made commitments to accept college scholarships, and their school -- which previously had produced one Division I-A scholarship player since opening in 1981 -- is enjoying what could be its finest season ever. Entering Friday's homecoming game against Culpeper, North Stafford is 5-0 and has yet to be challenged as it tries for the first undefeated regular season in school history.
Much of the Wolverines' success can be attributed to the trio of massive linemen. Slebonick, a 6-foot-5, 310-pound offensive tackle, has committed to Virginia. North, a 6-4, 315-pound offensive guard who plays defense in goal-line situations, has committed to Virginia Tech. Thompson, a 6-3, 325-pound nose guard, has committed to Syracuse. It is a trio that can put fear in opponents, not to mention all-you-can-eat restaurants like the nearby China Buffet, though such eating jaunts are limited during the season. They often butt heads in practice.
"Let's face facts," Cooke said. "Nobody else could block Cordarrow and nobody could not be blocked by Tony or Pat unless you put them against each other."
Not that North Stafford is limited to those three players. Wide receiver-safety Jarvis Williams has a scholarship offer from Kent State, and six other seniors -- linebackers-fullbacks Raphael Bynum and Mark Kratzer, cornerback-wide receiver Furnace Barnes, cornerback Justin Toney, offensive tackle Mike Quarles and center Billy Keating -- are being recruited by Division I-AA and Division II schools. Among juniors, quarterback Kyle Lloyd, wide receiver Jeremy Wicker and tailback Kenny Randall also are college prospects.
"I don't know if other schools go like this, but we seem to go in peaks and valleys," Cooke said. "And we're riding a peak right now."
It might be tough to stay on top next season when, in addition to losing this season's senior class, North Stafford will lose some of its enrollment to new Mountain View High School. But for the time being, the Wolverines are enjoying their special season and there is little question what excites the trio the most: When Thompson enters the game as a tailback in short-yardage situations.
"It gets the whole team energized," Slebonick said.
In the first half of the season, Thompson had five carries for six yards and two touchdowns. "It's so much fun [when] little linebackers try to hit me," said Thompson, who did play running back in middle school, when he was 6 feet and only 290 pounds.
Thompson enjoys running the ball, and North said it would be neat to take a few snaps at wide receiver or tight end. But as Slebonick put it, "We know what our jobs are and it's not running back."
Anxious Banks Makes Splash
Watching Eleanor Roosevelt play its first five games, senior running back Malcolm Banks was growing anxious. Not only did Banks want to get on the field and play for his new team after transferring from Parkdale, but he wanted an opportunity to impress college recruiters so that he could earn an athletic scholarship.
He was cleared to play following a lengthy investigation by Prince George's County Schools and Rooseveltl officials, so Banks finally made his season debut this past Saturday and made an immediate impact. He rushed 14 times for 188 yards and two touchdowns in a 47-6 victory over his former school. While the performance will help Banks in the eyes of recruiters, Roosevelt Coach Rick Houchens said, Banks would have been fine without it.
