Tuesday, July 24, 2001
www1.roanoke.com
TECH FOOTBALL
Jones injured in all-star victory
By RANDY KING
The Roanoke Times
Last Saturday night's "Big 33" High School All-Star Football Classic in Hershey, Pa., produced mixed news for Virginia Tech's football program.
While incoming Hokie freshmen recruits Kevin Jones and Fred Lee were the two biggest stars in Pennsylvania's 31-29 triumph over Ohio, Jones sustained a high right ankle sprain that will sideline him from voluntary summer workouts at Tech for the next two weeks, and perhaps hamper his effectiveness for the start of Aug.11 preseason drills.
Jones, the most highly touted recruit in Tech history, scored on runs of 52 and 64 yards on his second and third carries of the night. He finished with 153 yards on 16 carries, earning him MVP honors for the Pennsylvania squad.
Since Jones hasn't enrolled in classes at Tech yet, NCAA rules prohibit him from being treated for the injury by Tech's football medical staff. Until he is officially enrolled, Jones and his family will have to pay for any medical treatment he receives in the interim.
Other than being able to confirm the nature of Jones' injury, Tech trainer Mike Gofoth could do little else Monday.
A high ankle sprain is far from a new subject around Blacksburg. Last season, Hokies quarterback Michael Vick was sidelined for 2 1/2 games by the same nagging, slow-healing injury.
The Tech medical staff is hopeful that with complete rest the next couple weeks that Jones will be able to return to full speed quicker than Vick did. Vick tried to practice and play on his bum ankle, which ultimately may have slowed his recovery.
Lee, a 5-foot-10 high school All-American from Harrisburg, Pa., caught five passes for 135 yards. His haul included a 55-yard TD reception and a leaping 53-yard catch and run that set up a game-winning field goal by the Pennsylvania stars with 43 seconds to play.
"I think I would have given Fred Lee the MVP. He won the game for us," Jones told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
NOTHING SERIOUS: That's Goforth's take on the surgery performed on Grant Noel 's right knee Monday.
In a procedure that took all of 15 minutes, Tech orthopaedic surgeon Dr.Marc Siegel repaired some roughening of the cartilage on the end of the Noel's right femur.
"It shouldn't be any problem," Goforth said following the surgery. "We'll limit Grant's activity, like holding him back on some of the running for a while. I'm going to put a special brace on that will keep him from going into full extension, which is where that roughening is."
Noel, the early favorite to land Tech's No.1 quarterback job, should be fine by the start of two-a-day practices on Aug.13, Goforth said.
"Oh, yeah, Grant is a tough kid," Goforth said. "He's in good spirits. He won't be on any crutches. This was minor."
ON THE MOVE: Tech coach Frank Beamer 's son, Shane, continues to pad his college football coaching resume.
After spending last season as a graduate assistant at Georgia Tech, young Beamer was officially hired in a similar capacity at Tennessee last week.
Beamer, 24, said the move will give him an opportunity to gain valuable experience in another top-flight program and league. The words "Tennessee" and "SEC" on his resume certainly can't hurt when it comes to future job searches.
Beamer's first assignment? "I guess I better learn 'Rocky Top' quickly," he quipped.
TECH TIDBITS: Ben Taylor, David Pugh, Andre Davis and Lee Suggs will join Beamer as Tech's representatives at Thursday's Big East Media Day at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford. ... The Hokies' preseason workouts officially begin Aug.6, when freshman players report. Tech's Lane Stadium Media Day will be held Aug.10. ... Tech backers are invited to attend "The Outback Steakhouse Welcome Back Picnic" on Aug.12 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Cassell Coliseum. Tickets ($15 adults, $5 children 12 and under) must be purchased in advance. Tickets can be bought at three Blacksburg businesses - A Cleaner World, University Travel Consultants and University Travel Vacation Center. All proceeds from the event, which will include an autograph session with the players, will benefit athletic scholarships. |
