Publication: THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
Published: 08/26/1990

SUNDAY GAZETTE MAIL

The only thing the Nitro Wildcats will be throwing around on the
football field this year is their weight.
Don't expect a lot of passing from Greg Cyrus' oversized team,
which operated out of the pro set last year.
The Wildcats, with an offensive line averaging 250 pounds across.
and anchored by 6-8, 300-pound junior tackle Lewis Wood, plan to rely
on the option offense and the run in 1990.
"This year we'll be running the I-bone,' said Cyrus, Nitro's
head coach. "We've got a good fullback and we think our
quarterbacks can run a little bit.
"We want to move the chains and control the line of scrimmage
. We've got some big kids and some strong backs. We'll just try to
make first downs. We probably could have won two more games last
year if we would have controlled the ball more.'
Nitro was 5-5 in 1989 under Cyrus, who took over the program in
1988 but suffered a heart attack soon after and couldn't coach. The
Wildcats were 1-9 that year. Four offensive starters and four
defensive starters return from last year.
Cyrus, who directed Sissonville High to winning seasons in 1986
and 1987, is trying to bring Nitro its first winning year since
1983's team went 6-4.
"I think we'll be better,' he said. "We're a little quicker
than last year. We're not fast. But we're quicker.'
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Nitro's quarterback will be either Craig Oxley (5-8, 155 junior)
or Shannon Thomas (6-1, 175 junior). Pete Hinton (6-2, 205 senior)
will work at the all-important fullback spot, Cyrus said.
"He's a good kid,' Cyrus said. "He runs about a 4.7 (40).
In this offense you have to have a good fullback.'
Other running backs include seniors Chad Hemmings (5-11, 180),
Donnie Withrow (5-10, 170) and Boom McKinney (5-8, 170).
And they'll be running behind a huge offensive line which
includes seniors Brian Johnson (6-2, 215), Chris Conley (6-2, 260),
Jason Bailey (6-1, 260) and Chris Miller (6-0, 220). Juniors are
Wood, Brian Smith (6-7, 265) and Shawn Lusher (6-0, 210).
Receivers include seniors Joe Hutson (6-5, 190), Jeremey
Casebolt (5-10, 175) and Jason Miller (6-0, 150). Juniors are Jason
Hearn (6-4, 175), Ronnie Withrow (5-9, 150) and Brandon Sneed (6-0,
150).
On defense, the Wildcats' line will feature seniors Larry Boggs
(6-1, 225)and Bill Archibald (5-10, 175). Juniors include Jason
Randolph (6-0, 175), Craig Matthews (6-0, 205), David Spencer (5-5,
185) and Brian Smith.
Nitro's linebackers include seniors Hinton and Brian Johnson,.
junior Tony Duranti (5-11, 180) and sophomore Craig Brown (5-10, 210)
The secondary features seniors Donnie Withrow, Miller and
Casebolt and juniors Ronnie Withrow, Sneed, Oxley and Thomas and
sophomore Joe Javins (5-11, 155).
Senior David Stalnaker, a converted soccer player, will handle
the place-kicking chores.