HOUSE'S GETS
WIN IN RETURN
Publication:
Published: 09/27/1997
Page: P1B
Headline: HOUSE'S GETS WIN IN RETURN
Byline: MICHAEL DAILEY
DAILY MAIL SPORTSWRITER
RIPLEY - There was no
repeat of last year's "fifth-down" game.
For those who had
forgotten, Nitro received an extra down on its
winning drive in a 20-18 victory over Ripley.
Nobody in Ripley had
forgotten Friday night.
The signs lining the road
leading to Ripley's
perfectly clear that the play was still etched in the Vikings' minds.
But there was one problem
for the Vikings: This time around, Nitro
rarely needed a fourth down in spanking the Vikings, 44-10.
The game featured the return
of Kennedy Award-winning quarterback J.R.
House to Nitro's high-powered offense.
It didn't take long for
House, who transferred back to Nitro from
assault on area defenses.
House completed 22-of-31
passes for 313 yards and five touchdowns
after only three days of practice with the Wildcats.
"What can I say, House is House." said Nitro Coach Robert
"Little"
Burdette. "I haven't seen the film yet, but he looked pretty
spectacular to me. That's pretty amazing for someone who only
practiced two or three days this week."
However, Burdette makes it
perfectly clear that his team is not just a
one-man aerial circus.
"House was great
tonight but it was not just the J.R. House show,"
said Burdette. "We have a pretty good football team. My hat is off to
all these kids for making him (House) feel like he never left."
Nitro running back Zack
Collins (21 carries, 94 yards) wishes that
House never had left.
"I've been praying all
year that he would come back," said Collins.
"We need him bad, he helps me because he opens up the run a lot."
Ripley Coach Frank Marino
agreed with Burdette.
"House is a
tremendous, tremendous quarterback," said Marino. "But
they have speed at every position, they are physically strong, and
they play with great enthusiasm. I'll tell you what, when you play
them, you had better be ready."
House was quick to downplay
his performance while heaping praise on
his teammates.
"The offense line was
great tonight." said House. "They gave me time
to throw the ball and our receivers have gotten so much better over
the summer."
The offensive line was
indeed impressive in giving House ample time to
throw while opening large holes for the Wildcats' underrated rushing
attack.
"Our offensive line of
Josh Raines, Doug Null, Justin Valleau, Matt
Brewer and James Cash make our offense go." said Burdette. "When you
can run and throw like we did tonight, you've got some linemen playing
pretty well."
Chris Martin also was happy
with House's decision to return to Nitro.
Martin, who had shared duty as the Wildcats' QB with Jason Ward, was
able to return to receiver and promptly collected 9 receptions for 181
yards and three touchdowns.
"It's great to have
J.R. back," said Martin. "It lets me get back to
where I like to play. I feel more natural as a receiver."
Besides Martin's three
scores, Nitro scored on passes of 10 and 38
yards from House to Collins and Isaac Eastwood respectively, and a
2-yard plunge by Eddie Casto.
Nitro's offensive onslaught
nearly overshadowed an impressive
defensive effort.
"Our defense
controlled their running game and that was a big factor
in the game," said Burdette. "If you let him, Coach Marino will run
the ball all night long and that keeps your offense off the field. It
was very important that we stop their offense in order to allow our
offense on the field."
Ripley scored its lone TD
on an 18-yard fourth quarter scoring strike
from Jamie Stover to Erick Hudson.
Nitro improves to 4-1
overall and 2-1 in the Gold Division of the
MSAC, while Ripley falls to 1-3, 0-2.