KEY PLAYERS
Publication:
Published: 10/24/1997
Page: P3B
Headline: KEY PLAYERS
Byline: NOT AVAIALBLE
DuPont's linebackers and secondary will have to play well against
Nitro's vaunted passing attack. Panther defensive back Mike Hill has
four interceptions and is a big hitter. Tremain Straughter, Melvin
Smith and James Armes also will play in the
secondary. Linebackers
Kenny Wright and Lewis Tose were hurt in DuPont's
victory over Ripley
last week and sat out three quarters. They're expected to play
tonight. DuPont's offense revolves around Straughter,
a 1,000-yard
rusher at tailback. Matt Hill is a solid option QB. Wright, who has 11
catches for 276 yards, is Hill's favorite target. DuPont has passed
for only 554 yards this season.
Everyone knows about
Nitro's offense, featuring quarterback J.R. House
and receiver Chris Martin. But the Wildcats have improved on defense
over last season, when they allowed an average of four TDs
per game.
Nitro is giving up just over 10 points per game this year. Top players
on defense include linebacker Justin Valleau and
defensive back Jeff
Clark. The Wildcats have not faced a running back this season the
caliber of Straughter. Of course, DuPont hasn't faced
an offense like
Nitro's. In just three games, House has already thrown for 13 TDs,
nine to Martin. Zack Collins is a potent runner (699 yards, 137
carries) and pass catcher (44 receptions, 352 yards).
DuPont leads the series
33-21-1. Nitro's 41-38 victory over DuPont
last year was the Wildcats first triumph over the Panthers in the
'90s. Against DuPont his season, opposing QBs have
completed
53-of-133 passes (39.8 percent) for 706 yards and six TDs.
The
Panthers have picked off seven passes. A Nitro victory would pull the
Wildcats into a first-place tie with DuPont in the Mountain State
Athletic Conference Gold Division. The Panthers are 4-0 in the league.
Nitro is 3-1. DuPont closes the regular season with a conference game
at home against Hurricane. Nitro plays MSAC foe Herbert Hoover in its
regular season finale. DuPont is ranked fourth and Nitro fifth in the
latest SSAC ratings. The Panthers are fourth and Nitro tied for sixth
in this week's Daily Mail Poll. There is no live radio coverage of
tonight's game.