HOUSE IS OUT, BUT FOOTBALLS WILL
STILL BE FLYING NORTH-SOUTH FOOTBALL
Publication: THE
Published: 06/18/1999
Page: P1B
Headline: HOUSE IS OUT, BUT FOOTBALLS WILL STILL BE FLYING NORTH-SOUTH FOOTBALL
Byline: MIKE WHITEFORD
STAFF WRITER
Although quarterback J.R.
House won't be available, Nitro coach Robert
Burdette plans to stick with the offense that House made famous in 3
1/2 record-breaking seasons with the Wildcats.
As the South's head coach
for the annual North-South football game
June 26 at Laidley Field, Burdette promises plenty of
passing - just
like in House's recent heyday.
"We'll use the
no-huddle and spread it around and see if we can throw
it,' said Burdette. "But we'll be a little bit
limited. Whoever plays
quarterback will only have one week to learn what J.R. did for three
years.'
House, the Kennedy Award
winner in 1996 and co-winner last year, had
committed to play in the game but signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates
last week and is beginning his professional baseball career.
The South quarterbacks will
be Hollis Lewis, a 6-foot-3, 215-pounder
from George Washington, and Kris Byus, a 6-1,
189-pounder from Scott.
Another South quarterback,
Jack McDaniels of Man, suffered a separated
shoulder during baseball season and will be unable to play.
"Without House,' said
Burdette, "we may see a more traditional
defense. Last year, coaches will tell you they made up some of the
defenses they used against us.'
House's spot on the roster
will be taken by Jesse Wisnewski of Nitro,
an all-state center and linebacker. McDaniels will be
replaced by Josh
Yancey, an all-state running back at Shady Spring.
The South's primary
receivers will be Chris Martin of Nitro, Ricky
Sayles of Capital, Leif Walroth of Hurricane and
Michael Hill of
DuPont.
Burdette also said his
running backs likely will be involved in
catching passes. They are Tremain Straughter
of DuPont, Talbolt
McMurry of Huntington, Daris
Bandy of Woodrow Wilson, Jeremy Dosier of
Winfield, Billy Gannon of Spring Valley, Todd Green of East Bank and
William Jackson of Oak Hill.
"I don't know who's
going to play where,' said Burdette.