Suffolk News-Herald

If the King’s Fork inaugural football team doesn’t win many games this season, it won’t be for the lack of effort. Since late July, the Bulldogs have been hitting the pavement and grass of the King’s Fork Middle School parking lots and High School field for four hours a day, five days a week.

&uot;We’re doing two-a-days,&uot; said coach Cecil Phillips, who recently left Radford High School after four years of leading the high school team there. &uot;We come out here from four to six, and then we take a little break. The parents have done a wonderful job preparing snacks with fruit, veggies and Gatorade.&uot;

A young team from a new school, the gridiron stars are lacking in size and experience (they have only two seniors on the team). But running back Travis Francisco, one of the upper-upperclassmen, doesn’t think enthusiasm will be a problem.

&uot;I’ve got moves and power here,&uot; he said, tapping his legs. &uot;I’ll be pretty sharp; I’ve been behind Trayce McPherson the past two years.&uot; McPherson led Nansemond River in rushing in 2002-03 and 2003-04.

Fellow senior D.J. Hoskins will be on the other side of the ball. &uot;I think we’ll do our share for the first season,&uot; said the tackle, formerly of Lakeland. &uot;We came here to explore new options.&uot;

There’s going to be a great deal of newness when the team opens its season on Sept. 3 at Norview (their first home game is Sept. 24 against Western Branch, and they battle local rivals Nansemond River in an away game on Oct. 1 and end their season at home against Lakeland on Nov. 12).

&uot;Our motto is to lay a foundation before building a strong structure,&uot; Phillips said. &uot;The kids have been wonderful, with a great attitude and effort. They’re the ones that make it easy.&uot;

Over on the cheerleading squad, the Lady Bulldogs cheerers hope to make things even more enjoyable for their human canines. &uot;Take it to the limit, take it to the top,&uot; they shout. &uot;We’re the mighty Bulldogs, and we can’t be stopped! Woof, woof!&uot;

Tiffany Cherry isn’t just new to King’s Fork – she’s new to cheering in general. &uot;I wanted to be with my new friends,&uot; said the former Lakeland student. &uot;It’s something to keep me out of trouble.&uot;

&uot;Everyone I work with is really high-quality,&uot; sophomore Brittany Tischer said between cheers. &uot;We all learn really fast. It’s really exciting, because I’ve never been on varsity before.&uot;