SOPHOMORE SLUMP? NOT FOR HOUSE
Publication:
Published: 10/11/1996
Page: P1B
Headline: SOPHOMORE SLUMP? NOT FOR HOUSE
Byline: NOT AVAILABLE
THE
stats. That's
what grabs everyone's attention.
The mind boggling,
calculator blowing, Eveready battery draining,
passing statistics that sophomore quarterback J.R. House is piling up
at
"Do I get a lot of
people asking me about my stats?' said House with
a grin. "Yeah, definitely. A
lot. All you have to do is say, 'I threw
for 2,000 yards in my freshman season' and they kind of look at you
funny.'
In that case, I can't even
imagine the looks House will get after this
season. Because, as difficult as it is to believe, this phenom
quarterback is producing another set of astonishing statistics that
are even more extraordinary than last year's.
Just take a look at House's
game-by-game performances.
- Against Winfield, 25
completions in 35 attempts for 409 yards and
four touchdowns.
- Against Hurricane,
26-for-44, 338 yards, three TDs.
- Against George
Washington, 28-for-56, 391 yards, four TDs.
- Against
- Against Ripley 24-for-41,
232 yards, two TDs.
If that didn't do a number
on you, then check out these numbers.
- His totals: 113 completions
in 206 attempts for 1,481 yards and 14
touchdowns.
- His five-game averages:
22.6 completions, 41.2 attempts, 296.2 yards
and 2.8 TD passes per game.
I know CPAs who would have
trouble believing those numbers.
But do you know what's the most amazing aspect of House's stupendous
statistics? He pays absolutely no attention to them.
"I'm not really
worried about all the individual stuff,' said the
6-foot-1, 190-pound sophomore. "The only stats
I'm worrying about is
the win-loss column. So far, we're doing a pretty good job in that.'
Before you even ask, no, he
wasn't merely trying to say the right
words. His "there's-no-I-in-team' attitude is no act. House really
and truly is more concerned about his team's success than his own.
And the people who really
count - his teammates - know it. That's why
they voted House a co-captain, despite the fact he's
just a sophomore.
They realized that House doesn't play for stats, he plays to win.
Which is
precisely what the Wildcats are doing. Going into their
homecoming game against Man at 7:30 tonight, Nitro owns a surprising
4-1 record.
And the main reason is
House.
But you'll never hear him
say that. He's too busy giving credit to
Nitro's coaches.
"It all comes down to
coaching really,' said House. "I could never
have done this, never even came close to this, without the coaches
that we have. Coach Tinsley (Offensive Coordinator Scott Tinsley) and
Coach Burdette (head coach Little Burdette) have been super. Coach
Tinsley is a college coach and he knows how to work with
quarterbacks.'
Especially one as gifted as
House.
Yet, for all his
completions, yardage and touchdowns, House believes
his greatest attribute is one that can't be calculated by individual
statistics.
"I think being able to
step up and lead the team down the field is
what I do best,' said House. "Just being in
control out there and b
eing a leader. Being a field
general. That's my strong point.'
Geez, with all those stats, who would
have figured?