KEY PLAYERS
Publication:
Published: 10/17/1997
Page: P3C
Headline: KEY PLAYERS
Byline: NOT AVAIALBLE
Nitro junior QB J.R. House, in only two games, has jumped into second
place in the Mountain State Athletic Conference Gold Division passing
rankings. The 1996 Kennedy Award winner has completed 48-of-74 passes
for 679 yards and nine TDs. Junior
running back Zack Collins leads the
division in receptions with 40 for 323 yards and two TDs.
He's third
in rushing with 633 yards on 125 carries with four TDs.
Senior center
Justin Valleau anchors the offensive line and is
among the Wildcats'
top defensive players from his linebacker spot.
John Marshall defensive
back Chris Butler, who picked off 13 passes
last year, will be in heaven tonight with House filling the air with
footballs.
offense or defense. He's caught about 700 yards worth of passes from
senior QB Josh Rine with eight TDs. Butler is averaging about 30 yards
a catch. Rine has thrown for close to 900 yards and
10 TDs. Senior
tailback Eric Inclan is the
Monarchs' top runner with about 500 yards.
End Chad Markonich is a returning starter off defense.
This will be the first
meeting ever between the schools. Nitro is
ranked eighth in the latest Daily Mail Poll and tied for sixth with
Cabell Midland in the latest Secondary School Activities Commission
ratings. John Marshall, with three losses, might need to win its
remaining four games to make the playoffs. Nitro's road isn't much
easier. After tonight, the Wildcats, who play only nine games, close
the regular season against DuPont and Herbert Hoover. Monarch Coach
Mike Linsky is a Sherman High graduate. He coached
Duval to Class A
titles in 1978 and '82. John Marshall went 13-1 last year in
winning the AAA state championship. The Monarchs beat Capital in the
title game, 29-22.