Football preview: Norcom at Maury

There is Carlos Mills, the star defensive back, deflecting a pass.

There’s Anthony Blount, the speedy running back, taking a handoff.

Then there’s Deandre Lamb, the quarterback with a knack for big plays.

What do they all have in common besides playing for Norcom?

They all stand less than 6 feet tall.

“We know we’re smaller than most teams out there,” said Blount, who is 5-9 and 155 pounds. “But we’re going to show them we’re big on the field.”

They already have. The Greyhounds are 4-0 overall, 1-0 in the Eastern District, and off to their best start since 1994. And as they head from Portsmouth to Powhatan Field in Norfolk for Friday’s game against Maury (2-2, 1-0), they have defied expectations.

“I thought I was going to get a ticket the first time I put those little guys on the field,” Norcom coach Larry Archie said. “But they compete. When you have a team of kids willing to compete, you always stand a chance.”

This season, the Greyhounds have one of the most potent offenses in South Hampton Roads. They are averaging 33.5 points per game. Blount is one of the area’s most productive running backs, with 349 yards on 55 attempts. Lamb, the 5-foot-9 quarterback, has passed for 556 yards and 10 touchdowns.

“It’s the heart of the player that matters, not the size,” Archie said.

Norcom has proven as much during a season already pockmarked by tragedy. Earlier this month, wide receiver and co-captain Rashawn Finney, also less than 6 feet tall, was shot multiple times at a party.

Finney played a big role in helping Norcom think it could be successful despite its size disadvantage at the skill positions. When the Greyhounds outscored their first four opponents — Norview, Deep Creek Heritage and Wilson — 134-31, they realized they could do more than compete. They could dominate.

“We have been waiting for this,” Blount said. “We knew this was our year, and we’re real strong right now.”

Staff picks:

Rainer says Norcom 32, Maury 20. 

Jami says Norcom 23, Maury 7. 

Larry says Norcom 27, Maury 24 .