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Ruston Daily Leader Wednesday, August 26,198113A22 Alma Brown stars return from 1980's district champsBy GREG H1LBURN Leader InternVeteran prep football coach Donel) Cowan qf-Alma J. Brown Lab School lost 14 players to graduation last year.With the loss of 14 players one might think that the Kittens would be in trouble this year but this is not the case.Cowan is looking forward to another successful season because although he lost 14 players he will have 22 returning from last year’s Louisiana High School Association iLHSAA) district 2-A championship team including seven all district players.We’re looking forward to a gpod . season,” said Cowan, ‘‘We have the nucleus of another, good team if we can put it together and learn to work together.”Last year's team was undefeated in district play with a 6-0/record, and had a record of 8-3 overall record.We have some, real fine1 • *boys with us. this year and.I think, they cart win the . district if everybody works • together;” said Cowan. *'We made it to the quarter-finals last year and I want these kids to have another shot at it this year.”To get another shot at the state title the Kittens will be depending heavily on the . talents • of all-district • returnees Fred Collins, Patrick Le Blanc, Jeffrey Brown.Collins is a 6’ 12®) pounder who was last year's district' 2-rA Most Valuable Defensive Player” and will take on linebacker and tackle chores.Le Blanc, at 6’3 185 pounds, is a returning all-district senior and he will handle the position of tight end for the Kittens.Brown, another ail-distri'ct senior, is. 5*11 175' pounds and will .lead the Kittens at quarterback.Michael Standifer, the Kittens last year all-district quarterback was seheduledto lead the Kittens at that position again but has failed to show up for preseason workouts.Senior free safety Gary Richmond and Juniorcornerback Andre Pearcewill also play key roles in the Kittens’ game plans this year.Some new faces to look for this year, will be sophomore Timmy Patton at a linebacker position and massive sophomore Darrell Candler, who at 6'6 and 297 pounds should make a niftylineman.Darrell played a little bit last year but I plan to use him a lot more frequently this year,” said Cowan. “He was a little green last year but he coming along just fine.* *Nine SLC stat champsreturn for '81 stintIf it’s statistics you like, then the . Southland Conference football race for 1981 is just for you.There are statistical leaders, galore, returning from the 1980 season,In fact, of the 12 in-dividual statistical departments, there are champions returning in nine ,of the categories,'/'. lt;Two of the leaders or co- ■ leaders are from Louisiana Tech, as Wide receiver Lelahd Padgett tied for the• ireception lead and quarterback Matt Dunigan was tops in both passing and total offense...Other ' individual statistical leaders' returning include McNeese State's Theron McClendon, Tim-Allison of Arkansas State,• 4 •Don Stump of McNeese State, Bruce Gartman of Arkansas State, and Don DeLeo of Texas-Arlington.Padgett shared the pass receiving championship with Lamar’s Sam Choice,and Leland’s yardage total going for 547....he also had two touchdowns.Dunigan was the passing leader with 149 completions in 313 attempts for 1,939 yards and nine touchdowns and topped the total offense category with an average of 176.3 yards per contest.McClendon, McNeese State’s versatile running back,, was also a two-way leaders he was No. 1 in rushing with an average of 106.8 yards per game and a total of 1,175 yards and also the pacesetter for allpurpose running with a 122,5 average.Allison had the pass interceptions’ lead with five steals for 66 yards and a touchdown, while Gartman keyed the punters with a 41.5. average.DeLeo keyed the way in punt returns with a 9.4 average.Stump had the championship for both field goals (.529 percentage, nine of 17)Cowan will also be using 5’8 155 pound Robert Wiley.a junior wingbaek whoCowan says has great break away speed.Cowan and his staff spent most of their preseason workout time trying to find the right backup players and teaching new blocking rules.The Kitten's regulars were for the most part already decided from last year's team so Cowan was able to work on timing and polishing his first team.We were able to put some people in places that will help us, the Kitten leader said. I think we will be ready for our first contest.That first contest will be against Arcadia Sept. 4 and will be held in Grambling, Arcadia was originally scheduled to host the contest but their facilities are not ready.The Kittens first districtcontest will be against Haynesville and will probabl be their toughest.With our experience and talent we have the capability of winning the district again,” said Cowan. Togetherness will be the key. We have to learn how to play together.They won their district last year and that will probably be our toughest district game.”The 1981 Alma Brownschedule:Aug. 28-Farmervllle Jamboree.Sept. i-Arcadia, home. Sept. 11-open.Sept. 17-Delta, there.Sept. 24-Sterilngton,there,Oct. 2-Ringgold. home. Oct. 9-Haytteevilie, there. Oct. 16-Cotton Valley, there.Oct. 23-Plain Dealing,home.Oct. 30-Sarepta, home. Nov. S-Bernice, home.* v’f. V. u.‘$ifl■■■ ••••: • : #
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