DEFENSIVE TNT POWERS NITRO

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 09/06/1997
Page: P1B
Headline: DEFENSIVE TNT POWERS NITRO
Byline: TOM ALUISE

DAILY MAIL SPORTSWRITER

It's not something normally discussed after a Nitro High School
football game.

Cussed maybe. But not discussed.

The past couple of years, postgame chatter around the Wildcat locker
room usually centered on Nitro's high-powered, pass-happy offense.

But Friday they were talking defense following the Wildcats' 14-7
victory over visiting Hurricane.

With running back Zack Collins piling up 127 yards on 32 carries,
Nitro looked solid on offense. But it was an aggressive,
bone-crunching defense that stood out.

On this night, Nitro's defense packed more punch than a Holyfield
haymaker.

"We've got a lot of seniors who like to hit,' said linebacker Justin
Valleau. "It's really fun to play defense.'

Last year, Nitro, riding the aerial exploits of quarterback J.R.
House, led the Mountain State Athletic Conference Gold Division in
scoring at 28.6 points per game.

The Wildcats, though, ranked last in defense, giving up a lethal 26.2
points per outing.

House, of course, is gone, which might have something to do with
Nitro's quick start on defense in 1997.

"This year, we knew the offense wouldn't be quite as potent,' said
Valleau, who felt Nitro played well defensively early last season
before collapsing.

"No real reason,' he said. "We just started missing tackles.'

Valleau, a senior, doesn't expect that to happen this year, not with a
senior-dominated defense that features eight or nine returning
starters from last year's 7-4 playoff squad.

"With the seniors on this team, we won't give up,' said Valleau, who
picked off a Redskin pass. "There's a lot more heart on this team. I
feel I can speak for everybody.'

Nitro (2-0) intercepted four Hurricane passes, including two in the
first half after the Redskins (1-1) had driven inside the Wildcat
30-yard line. Sophomore defensive back Jeff Clark recorded two of
Nitro's interceptions.

Nitro also stopped Hurricane on a fourth-and-one play from the Wildcat
20 early in the fourth quarter.

Hurricane, which beat up on Herbert Hoover last week, 33-6, finished
with 167 yards of offense.

Leif Walroth's 4-yard run with 7:28 remaining in the game accounted
for the Redskins' only score.

Both Nitro touchdowns came in the third quarter on freshman
quarterback Jason Ward's 13-yard pass to speedy Isaac Eastwood and the
durable Collins' 16-yard run. Collins amassed 130 yards in Nitro's
season-opening 24-14 triumph over Winfield.

"Collins is a tremendous runner,' Hurricane Coach Gary Eggleton said.
"You give it to him 20 to 25 times and he's going to get you 150 yards
against just about anybody.'

"We did a lot better on defense this week than we did last week,'
said Nitro Coach Robert "Little' Burdette. "I think the kids got a
wake-up call last week.

"Our kids were really excited about playing (Hurricane). And
excitement leads to people flying around and hitting people. Once you
do that, it becomes contagious.'

Clark and Valleau were among the Wildcats dishing out punishment.
Clark had the hit of the night, leveling an unsuspecting Hurricane
receiver on a pass pattern across the middle.

"The whole first half our offense sputtered,' Valleau said. "We did
some good things, we just didn't click. Our defense held us in
there.'

Walroth led Hurricane with 55 yards on 14 carries. QB Matt Tidd
completed 8-of-18 passes for 68 yards.

Nitro's Ward was 5-of-10 for 51 yards.