POCA IN WAIT FOR THE BANK; HOUSE,
NITRO ROLL INTO RIPLEY
Publication: THE
Published: 09/26/1997
Page: P4B
Headline: POCA IN WAIT FOR THE BANK; HOUSE, NITRO ROLL INTO RIPLEY
Byline: RICK RYAN
Who thought J.R.?
You can't blame Ripley
coach Frank Marino for feeling hexed.
Last year, his Vikings'
trip to Nitro was marred by the infamous fifth
down that helped the Wildcats sustain a late drive and eke out a
last-second touchdown for a 20-18 victory. That notorious loss nearly
knocked Ripley out of the Class AAA playoffs.
So this time around, what
can the Wildcats pull on Ripley? How about a
surprise appearance by J.R. House, the Kennedy Award winning
quarterback from last season, who moved back to Nitro from Florida on
Monday.
House's first game back in
a Wildcats uniform will come tonight at
Ripley in a matchup of state-ranked teams. Nitro
(3-1) stands 12th in
the Class AAA ratings, while Ripley (2-2) is tied for 19th.
For many reasons, Nitro
coach Robert Burdette expects his team to have
the full attention of the Vikings tonight.
"I think they'll be
ready for us up there,' Burdette said, chuckling.
Burdette, for the record,
said he had no knowledge of House's plans
until media members informed him of the family's move on Monday.
Last year, House hit on
24-of-41 passes for 238 yards and two TDs
against Ripley.
Adam King of the Vikings
carried 19 times for 91 yards and one score
against Nitro a year ago. QB Jamie Stover ran for one TD and passed
for another.