Hide Article Text (OCR)
The future of Sherman in District 13-AAAA appears bright, according to Dave Campbell of Texas Football Magazine. Campbell, in his pre-season predictions of football district winners, picked Sherman to take the loop championship away from Plano. Plano is rated a top contender for the district supremacy, however. Campbell comments that ‘“‘maybe Plano should move up to the Southwest Conference. No other league seems to faze the Wildcats.” a Plano, under the direction of John Clark, entered their first season of AAAA play last season and didn’t quit until reaching the quarter-final play-offs, losing to Dallas Skyline 30-8. But this is not the year of the Wildcat, according to Campbell. “Most observers think this is the year Sherman may stage a breakthrough to the throne room.”’ Sherman is strong defensively this season, says Campbell, boasting of linebacker Joel Eastes (6-6, 220 lbs. and 4.8 speed in the 40 yard dash). Last season Eastes averaged 19 tackles per game, are considered super talents. Sherman has 20 lettermen returning, three offensive and eight defensive holdovers. Last season the club recorded a 6-4 mark. Big linemen dot the offense. Tackle George James (6-2, 215 lbs. and Robert Clack (6-3, 225 lbs.) head the unit while guards Mike Nelson and Max Kelley (6-4, 205 lbs.) round out the potentially dangerous offense. The main ingredients to the running game are fullback Floyd Rowe at 195 lbs. and tailback J. Frank Ruffin. “Tough is the diagnosis of Plano,’’ Campbell said of the Plano has four offensive and four defensive starters returning from the 11-2 team of last season. Prized as linemen are end Mike Jones, tackle Kelvin Smith, and guard Richard DeYoung. Back field people with the shine are flanker David Melson, halfback Toni Wallis and fullback Mike Loggins. Defensive standouts include linebackers Ricky Tatum and Greg Wheeler, while other players Pat Gallagher, center and guard Jeff Bales round out a potent team. Tackle Joey Ap plewhite and back Jeff Dabbs are others with the know-how for a winning team. Richardson has posted 7-2-1 records back to back and the Eagles hope to have the personnel for the play-offs this season. Big gun of the offense is Joel Wittenbraker at 6-2 and 185 pounds. He is the only returning starter. The three defensive starters, end Richard Arledge, linebacker Jay Tharp and safety Tommy Thompson will carry a good bit of duty. Other headliners include fullback Kent Belaire, wingback Robbie House, tackle Kyle Odgen, flanker David Smith, kicker Mark Embler and safeties Chris Peck and Robert Thomas. Denison is expected to improve their 4-6 record with the talents of fullback Mile Polk (6-1, 215 lbs.) and linebacker Herbert Huff (6-3, 190). Three offensive and three defensive starters return from last years team, which include tailback Don Monroe, quarterback Clifton Crowell, guards Jerry Woods (6-1, 230 lbs.) and James Brown, center Mike Ciaccio and safeties Ricky Smith and Don Brown. Four offensive and five defensive returners for Paris mark the return of the Wildcat team. Seventeen lettermen return in all, led by halfback Larry Minor (6-0, 180 lbs.) Bruce Staples is a proven leader and fine ability has been shown by guard Dick Logee and end Tommy Felty in the past. Rounding out the team are safety Max Mary and Rick Danner, flanker Marvin Mickens, linebacker Larry Washington and fullback Barney Johnson. After a 1-9 record last season Richardson Pearce looks to the sky, listing four offensive and three defensive veterans from last season. Quarterback Carl Grulick, halfbacks Max Lewis and Robert Bowers, tackles James Stone and Curtis Pennington, linebackers Stan Patchell and Vic Miller and guards Scott Youzoa and Tom Boulding are top notch. Pearce Mustangs look to quarterback Paul Pierson, ends Terry Bell, Keith Mullen and Rick Mosher, linebacker Steve Hilton and tackle Robert Hussey for significant contributions. Lake Highlands can count only two offensive and three defensive starters from last season. Last years returning 6-4 record makers include tackles Jim Conway, Jeff Stucker and Robert Irish, guards Joe Pagnett and Jeff Philips, linebackers Tim Garrio, and ends Mark Wilson and Bobby Sherman. Quar terback Buddy Maxfield and halfbacks Brooks Purnell, Phil Gerber and Bruce Dunlevie are backfield specialists. Green is the only color Greenville can see with only seven returning lettermen from last year’s team. Two offensive and three defensive starters will provide the experience. Returning are tackle Richard Murray (6-3, 225 lbs. and 4.8 speed) and guard Keith Sumrow. Linebackers Marvin Hall and Steve Mainford, ends Lorenzo Ashford and Glyn Black and wingback Lyn Black round out the Lion backfield.
Newspaper Details
Plano Star Courier
Plano, Texas, US
Wed, Aug 08, 1973
Page 17
Full Page
Clipped by
Steven B.
