NITRO CAN PLAY DEFENSE, TOO
Publication:
Published: 09/07/1996
Page: P1B
Headline: NITRO CAN PLAY DEFENSE, TOO
Byline: ANDY SPRADLING
FOR THE DAILY MAIL
HURRICANE - The fact that
Nitro High's deadly offense has the
potential to score touchdowns as quickly as J.R. House can flick the
wrist of his golden arm will come as a surprise to nobody.
That reputation is
spreading like wildfire throughout the state.
On the other hand, the
Hurricane Redskins discovered a little-known
secret about Nitro Friday at Redskin stadium.
The Wildcats can
play defense.
Nitro shut down Hurricane's
offense in a rain-soaked matchup, 24-9, to
remain undefeated (2-0) in this young season. Hurricane fell to 1-1.
"That was the
key," said Hurricane Coach Gary Eggleton.
"We felt going
in, we had to move the ball offensively. In the first half they
stuffed us."
So much so that Hurricane
managed only one first down in the opening
two quarters.
"I've got to give 'em credit," continued Eggleton.
"I told one of our
coaches if they keep their heads on straight and keep playing
'd",
they'll be a playoff team."
Nitro Coach Little Burdette
is just happy to be 2-0.
"We said all summer if
we were going to turn things around, we'd have
to beat Hurricane after our opener with Winfield," said Burdette.
Burdette, an assistant at
Nitro last year, inherited a young team from
former coach Greg Cyrus that posted a 4-6 record in '95.
"I'm hoping now people
are going to look at us as a defensive team,"
said Burdette.
Burdette has put together a
coaching staff which has played more
college quarters than many college teams.
The list includes Scott
Tinsley (Appalachian State), Jack Eastwood and
Derek Christian (
Kenny Grier and George Howard, (
basketball standout from
"We do everything as a
staff," explained Burdette. "The assistants put
the game plan together, we go over it in meetings, and Tinsley calls
the sets both ways on the field."
The arrangement seems to be
working well for the Wildcats.
The defensive squad, like
the coaching staff, assumes no hierarchy.
From inside out the Wildcats
are: Steve Anderson, Josh Raines, Travis
Withrow, Joey Murphy, Doug Null, Justin Valleau, David Bishop, David
Kessler, Chris Martin, Chad Lovejoy, Issac Eastwood, Zack Collins,
J.R. House.
Burdette credited Matt
Brewer, a sophomore, who stepped in and played
well and Jay Johnson, who did a nice job while playing with a broken
hand.
The Redskins also played
well on defense - in the first half.
House threw three first
half interceptions, compared to only one TD
pass, for a 10-3 halftime lead.
"Hurricane did a great
job," said Burdette. "That's the most heat
we've had on J.R. in twelve games."
But as both teams seemed to
wear down, House's throwing seemed to take
over.
House finished the game
with 338 yards on 26-of-44 passing, and three
TDs. Chris Martin, Robbie Sigman
and Collins amassed receiving yardage
of 97, 83, and 82, respectively.
"They were getting to
us," said Burdette. "He (House) took some big
hits. But he made them miss him too."
Hurricane threatened twice
in the fourth quarter but Nitro held on
downs on the first effort, and recovered a fumble on the second.
Lovejoy and House also had interceptions in the final period.
"We had to have things
go right for us to win," said Eggleton.
"It's
just one of those things - they made their own breaks."