EAGLES SHUT OUT WILDCATS FOR BEST
START SINCE '83
Publication: THE
Published: 09/22/1990
Page: P1B
Headline: EAGLES SHUT OUT WILDCATS FOR BEST START SINCE '83
Byline: GREG STONE
For
Field merely acted as cleat lubricant for the 26 points the Black
Eagles scored.
For Nitro, the precipitation helped drown the Wildcats' already
bobbing offense. Greg Cyrus' team ran its scoreless quarter streak
to nine, as visiting
about 1,500 fans.
"This is a heck of a dry spell,' said Cyrus, whose charges are.
2-3. "It's kind of like
feel like now.'
Nitro's last points came two weeks ago in the third quarter of a
40-3 loss to Capital. The kicker that provided the three points,
David Stalnaker, wasn't around to help this time. He
chose to play
soccer in Buckhannon for the Nitro varsity.
The Wildcats' continued futility didn't rub off on South.
win as quarterback Mark Terry ran for two scores and passed for
another. Fullback David Leeber also scored.
Bryce Casto's Black Eagles now have a week off before
facing
Herbert Hoover Oct. 5. S.C. entered Friday night's game tied for
eighth in Class AAA.
Bradley and company also began 4-1. The Eagles finished 7-3 that
year, the last winning season for the school.
Casto is enjoying the change of pace.
"The kids are always motivated, always up,' he said. "It
raises your practice level. But then again, our kids are real.
business-like. We give them the game plan on Monday
and just go from
there.'
Nitro's morale may not be so good. The Wildcats, needing a
touchdown like a compulsive gambler needs a parlay
card, wasted two
scoring opportunities in the first half.
The 'Cats moved 44 yards for a first-and-10 at the South.
forcing quarterback Shannon Thomas to throw on fourth down. Brandon
Sneed couldn't hold onto Thomas' pass near the S.C. goal.
Deja vu visited later in the half, as Nitro, behind
nice running
by Boom McKinney, moved 39 yards to the S.C. 16. This time, Thomas
failed to connect with Jeremy Casebolt.
"We had a couple of nice drives, then we'd drop a
ball or miss
a block or something,' said Cyrus. "This is very frustrating.'
capped an 85-yard drive by running right on an option keeper, then
cutting back left on the way to a 38-yard score with 9:32 to play
in the second quarter. The PAT was no good.
Terry ran untouched seven yards over the left sideto
ice another.
85-yard march and increase S.C.'s lead to 12-0 with
1:26 to go in the
half. Included in the drive was a 39-yard pass to Will Patterson.
"Everything's going according to plan,' said Terry, who
completed 3-of-10 passes for 86 yards. "I feel better every game
.'
Nitro gained only 17 yards in the second half. One possession
ended when
fumbled to S.C.
The bobble led to the Eagles' final points, an 11-yard burst up
the middle by Leeber, a 5-10, 182-pound junior. S.C.'s other
touchdown was a 31-yard scrambling heave by Terry to a falling down
Patterson. Both occurred in the third quarter.
While S.C.'s offense produced points, the defense
dealt out big
licks. Free safety Jason Taylor was a chief headknocker.
"They ran a lot to the strength side,' said Taylor, who also
threw a two-point conversion pass to Jason Moore after the Eagles'
final TD. "They'd take you right to the play every time.'
Thomas completed six-of-19 passes for 67 yards. South.
71 yards on 18 carries. A bright spot for Nitro was the punting of
Ronnie Withrow (4-40.2).
Nitro visits George Washington next week at Laidley
Field. The
Wildcats hope the turf will be dry.