PREP GAME OF THE WEEK
Publication:
Published: 09/07/2001
Page: P5B
Headline: PREP GAME OF THE WEEK
Byline: NOT AVAIALBLE
KEY PLAYERS
When Coach Steve Edwards Jr. calls junior Hampton Rose and senior
Steve Potter the anchors of his lines, he's not exaggerating in the
slightest.
Rose, a 6-foot-3, 240-pound center, and Potter, a 6-0, 300-pound
tackle, are veterans on a young offensive line.
"They make all our calls," Edwards said. "They're the
leaders."
The line is also getting solid blocking help from senior tight end
Steve Smith, who caught a touchdown in last week's win over Herbert
Hoover.
"He's blocking really well on the line," Edwards said. "And his
blocking downfield has really helped us."
Rose and Potter have also been the standard-bearers of GW's
50 defense
at tackles, clogging up space to free linebackers Joey Spano
and Brian
Williams to run free.
"Their pass rush could improve, but they've done well stopping the
run," Edwards said. "When they do good, our
defense seems to do really
well."
Edwards said Williams has also stood out as the team's long snapper.
Nitro's offense is averaging 422.5 total yards per game, the bulk of
which comes from junior tailback Chris McGhee's 441 rushing yards.
Much of that success is credited to lead-blocker Greg Eads, a 6-3,
270-pound junior who is playing only one way this season to maximize
his impact.
"He was going to start at defensive end, but we decided to just keep
him on offense," said Coach Little Burdette.
Danny Bragg, a 6-1, 235-pound senior, has stepped into Eads' defensive
spot and played well in last week's win over Hurricane, Burdette said.
Junior quarterback Derek Midkiff quietly leads the
Mountain State
Athletic Conference is passing, completing 28-of-49 throws for 350
yards and four touchdowns. He's had just one pass intercepted.
GAMENOTES
GW looks for its third straight victory over Nitro after winning the
last two season openers for both schools. The Patriots lead the
all-time series, 23-13.
...In addition to 235 yards per game from scrimmage, McGhee is
averaging 22.5 yards on kick returns. The Wildcats are averaging 11.5
per return as a team.
...Nitro has had long runbacks on two of its three interceptions. Ryan
Meadows returned one pick 40 yards, and Robbie Ripley returned another
for 37 yards.
...Burdette trails only
.741 winning percentage is the best, while Whitman's .655 (137-72-1,
including DuPont).
...A victory tonight brings Edwards within one game of a .500 career
coaching record. He is 26-28 in six seasons at GW, but is 16-7 over
the past three years after a 10-21 start.