The Malakoff News, Thursday, Sept. I, 19&~-gA
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TIGER--The Malakoff Tigers open the 1983 season at home against the Kerens Bobcats Friday night. Kick-
,.m. Team members pictured include: Front Row (l-to-r) Joe Hernandez, Jqmes Powell, Dermic Williams,
Scott Ciendening, Daren Scholfleld, Brian McCord, Rick Stralow, Keith Robertson and Bart Ray. Middle
.'h Willie Wilson, Roderlck Smith. Jason Riddle, Jeff Splvey, Rodney Branch, Cliff Nichols, John Clary, Phil
Dulaney, Mike Riddle and Coach Jim Norton. Back Row (l-to-r) Coach Jim Farrell, Kervln Jackson, Dennis Flowers, Jlmbo
Harris, Todd Locke, John Costlow, Randy Lee, Lane Speake, Marry Wilson, Kyle Summerhiil, John Tanner and Coach Dale
Norris. Next week the Tigers face another rival, the Brownsboro Bears, in Henderson County's oldest rivalry. (Staff photo
by Benny Rogers)
@
ROGERS series, which began in 1927, was built in
Trinity River cbam- the early years. KHS won 12 of the first
be on the line for the 45th 15 meetings, in which there were also
Malakoff two ties.
Bobcats in the 1983 Since the days of Kerens domination
Kick-off at Tiger the Tigers have held the upper band, 15-
13-1. The Tigers are currently on a hot
as high as third streak against the 'Cats, having won
AA schools in some pre- eight of the last nine meetings since the
leads the overall series, game became the traditional opener in
Bobcats' huge lead in the 1974.
THE
On Sports
By Benny Rogers
It's showtime!!!
Camera ! Action !
the Lone Star State will fill, some more than others, Friday
season begins. Texas schoolboys have spent hour after
on heated practice fields for the past three weeks in preparation for
it's here.
Friday night of the high school football season is unlike the
or even the five during the playoffs. Each team is undefeated
game. Each team has aspirations of staying that way. It
; only a handful will. The hope still remains.
the Tigers have a tough customer waiting at the counter in
Ranked as high as third among Class AA schools in some
will bring a fleet-footed bunch into Tiger Stadium. The Bobcats
of 14 returning lettermen, including 10 offensive and seven
which adds to the severity of the test for the Tigers.
just what the Tigers need to start
the type game this group of Tigers need every week of the season.
are finally beginning to establish a personality, as each team
ago I was discussing with MHS coach Dale Norris that I was
getting a line on what type team the Tigers of 1983 would be. It
easy in the past I told him. Norris said he too wasn't quite sure
what type personality -- his troops would have this time
Were both puzzled.
began to fall in place in the scrimmage with Lindale here this past
The Tigers were up -- or in football terms "ready to play" --
much-talked about Lindale squad and performed likewise, holding
a 0-0 tie. Let there be no mistake about, however, the Tigers were
ge.
leads this scribe to wonder if the Tigers are going to be a "big
meaning they get up both mentally and physically for the teams
!t necessary. After two scrimmages, and I realize scrimmages are
that's the way it seems.
way, the Tigers played something just shy of horrible in the first
Some Tigers were overheard prior to the scrimmage saying
with Elkhart. Elkhart outscored the Tigers, 3-1. The
• as just the opposite. The Tigers respected and maybe even
result was a strong showing. See what I mean?
continues the Tigers could develop into a big winner before ali's
Mter all there's some big games down-the-line in District 17-AAA
i i order to the Tigers ... "There are no big games if
games." In other words, failing to get up for teams you don't
will mean no need to get up at all.
Tigers? There's a message in there somewhere.
get up ! I I
t
Bonny s Bet: Tigers 12-Kerens 7
Tiger rtmningback caught the brunt of an at-
defenders in scrimmage action at Tiger Stadium last Friday
made an impressive showing against the Eagles, expected to
Kerens' lone win in the past decade
was a 21-0 whitewashing of a youthful
Tiger team in 1978. Since then the
Tigers have recorded 10-8, 28-12, 21-0
and 19-8 wins over the neighboring
Bobcats.
In last year's 19-8 victory, the Tigers
rolled to 317 total yards behind the 100-
yard rushing performances of Todd
Locke and Homer Turner. The MHS
defense also got in on the act, allowing
the Bobcats just 145 steps.
The Kerens loss to the Tigers last
off last year's 9-3 finisher, return to the
fold. Also included in those numbers
are seven defensive starters.
The Bobcats, who will be one of the
quickest teams the Tigers face, will be
led into action by quarterback Russell
Anderson, a 5-foot-10, 150-pound senior.
The KHS signal caller completed 87 of
157 passes for 20 touchdowns and 1,647
yards during the Bobcats' title flight
last season.
Kerens' offensive firepower doesn't
stop with Anderson. Also returning to
aggressors during the controlled
scrimmage.
Most of the questions concerning
Tiger personnel two weeks ago when
two-a-days began have either been
answered or are close to being an-
swered. The big question was at
quarterback where senior Danny
Wilson has been given the nod by MHS
mentor Dale Norris.
Wilson, a 5-foot-10, 175-pounder, has
been described by Norris as a "com-
petitor," Norris also said that Wilson is
"a good runner who can take a hit."
year marked the llth straight KI-IS take turns in the KHS backfield are
defeat. The 'Cats lost number 12 in players, all of whom gainedAll-District Wllson's passing is also improving,
succession a week later against honors in some capacity last year. according to Norris.
Mildred. Helping Wilson in the backfield will
The loss to Mildred was the last time Scotty Bryant, a 5-foot-10, 175- be Scott Clendening, Todd Locke and
Coach Jerry Don Anderson's charges pounder, leads the quintet. Bryant was Marry Wilson. Clendening is the Tigers'
would lose until the second round of the clocked at 10.9 in the 100-yard dash at a big-play threat with his Jitter-bug
track meet this past spring. Also ex-
playoffs. The Bobcats commenced a
victory march that included a non-
district bout with Hubbard, a perfect 7-0
District 15-AAA record and a playoff
win over Itasca (28-6). Pilot Point
eliminated the Bobcats from the
playoffs, 48-7.
Kerens is expected to be equally as
tough this time around as evident by the
pre-season polls. Texas Football
magazine places the Bobcats third in
the state behind Panlmndie"~'~ and
Rivercrest, while polls by the wire
services have KHS ranked either fifth
or sixth.
Any way you look at it, the 'Cats
figure to be tough. Doubters of the
Bobcats need look no further than the
KHS form chart. Fourteen lettermen,
including all but one offensive starter
pected to see a lot of playing time in the
backfield are Michael Betts (6-1, 165
lbs.), Anthony Haynes (5-10, 150 lbs.),
Kenneth Bryant (5-11, 150 lbs.) and
Lester Smith (5-10, 180 lbs.). All are
considered speedsters.
Playing big roles upfront out of
Kerens' T-formaUon offense are Brad
Tarkington and Jim Keele. Tarkington,
a 6-foot, 170-pounder) and Keele, a 6-
foot, 195-pounder, will be responsible
for opening holes for the fleet-footed
backs and getting them to the outside.
The Tigers enter the game fresh off
an impressive showing against Lindale,
which had also been ranked high among
Class AAA schools in some pre-season
polls. The Tigers battled the Eagles to a
0-0 deadlock, but were the obvious
running style. Locke returns after
missing six games last season with a
knee injury. Wilson is a transfer
student from Bryant Arkansas, where
TIGER BRAINTRUST--MHS varsity coaches
Willie Wilson and Jim Norton. Standing (l-to-r)
Jim Farreil. (Staff photo by Benny Rogers)
for 1983 are: Kneeling (l-to-r)
Dale Norris (head coach) and
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win District 15-AAA. The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie, but the Tigers were easily
the aggressor. The Tigers host state-ranked Kerons Friday night in the I~I
season opener. Kick-off is set for 8 p.m. (Staff photo by Benny Rogers)
he was a starter for a Class AAAA
school.
If the Tigers get help upfront from the
likes of John Tanner, Bart Ray, Keith
Robertson, Randy Lee, Lane Speake,
Roderick Smith, Cliff Nichols, Joe
Hernandez, Dermic Williams, and
Jimbo Harris, Jackson the backfield
could produce a lot of excitement.
Defensively, the Tigers look to be
equally as sting as in the past three
years. Locke, Lee, Marty Wilson,
Tanner, Danny Wilson and Speake
figure to be the defensive anchors.
Brent StenovRch, Mike Riddle, Rick
Stralow, and Ciendening will help out
from the secondary.
TIGER TRACKS -- Area fans might
want to arrive at Tiger Stadium a little
earlier than usual for the 8 p.m. kick-
off. A capacity crowd is expected to be
on band as a result of Kerens' success
last year and the Malakoff City
Homecoming scheduled for Saturday.
The race for the two District 17-AAA playoff spots should be interesting and
wide open with as many as four of the loop's six teams involved, according to
the results of The Malakoff News' Third Annual 17-AAA Media Poll.
Although writers and broadcasters of the 17-AAA beat believe the race will
be more interesting than the past two seasons, Crockett and Rusk were the
overwhelming picks to repeat as the district's playoff representatives. The
Bulldogs pulled six first place votes and 88 points in the poll, which had 10
participants. Rusk, the defending district champion, picked up two first place
votes and 82 points for second place.
Fairfield had a strong showing at the ballot box, claiming 1~ first place
votes and 61 points. Maiakoff, which split a first place vote with Fairfield,
nailed down the fourth place slot with 49 points. Westwood and Teague
finished well behind with 35 and 11 points respectively.
The exit of the now-graduated Troy BoRon at Crockett as well as Rusk's
heavy losses via the diploma receiving route were the primary reasons the 17-
AAA media feel the loop will be more competitive.
If it's any consolation to the four teams not predicted to make the playoffs
the 17-AAA media has yet to correctly pick the district champion. Two years
ago Fairfield was established as the heavy favorite, but Rusk stunned
everyone and claimed a co-cbampionship and the playoff spot. Last year
Crockett was the unanimous choice, but it was once again Rusk who won the
district.
Despite the key losses to graduation the 17-AAA media backed up their
selection of Crockett and Rusk pointing to the reserves CHS coach Monte
Driskell and RHS mentor Louis Caveness bad in camp last year. It was also
pointed out both schools had very strong jayvee outfits a year ago.
It was also a concensus that Coach Joe Johnston's Fairfield Eagles, who
have 14 lettermen back, deserve a watchful eye by the loop's other five teams.
The pollers also said they were impressed with Dale Norris' Malakoff crew
last year and pointed out a MILS playoff entry is not entirely impossible.
So will it be Crockett and Rusk as predicted? Or will Fairfield and Malakoff
come out of the pack? Only 10 weeks will tell.
Here's the 17-AAA media's choices and why.
THE RESULTS
(Points awarded on a 10-8-8-4-2.1 basis)
I. Crockett Bulldogs (6) .............................................. 88
2. Rusk Eagles (2) .................................................. 82
3. Fairfield Eagles (1½) ............................................. 61
4. Malakoff Tigers (½) .............................................. 49
5. Westwood Panthers ............................................... 35
6. Teague Lions ..................................................... 11
(First place votes in parenthesis)
THE POLL
JIM BRANNAN (Houston County Courier) 1. Rusk, 2. Crockett, 3. Maiakoff,
4. Westwood, 5. Fairfield and 6. Teague.
MERV DAWSON (KWRW-FM Rusk) 1. Fairfield, 2. Crockett, 3. Rusk, 4.
Malakoff, 5. Westwood and 6. Teague. "Fairfield was 5-5 last year and have 14
lettermen back -- plus their starting backfield, almost intact. Don't count out
the Rusk Eagles, but the coaches have their work cut out for them to develop
an offense."
MIKE PHILLIPS (Palestine Herald-Press) L Crockett, 2. Fairfield, 3.
Rusk, 4. Maiakoff, 5. Wostwood and 6. Teague. "Even without Troy BoRon the
Bulldogs of Crockett are heads above everyone else in this loop. This could be
the year they have been waiting for at Fairfield."
AL RAINEY (Athens Dally Review) 1. Crockett, 2. Rusk, 3. Malakoff, 4.
Fairfield, 5. Teague and 6. Westwood. "Crocker and Rusk are a head above
the rest, as usual. Malakoff should improve this year with its returning let-
termen and if a quarterback develops could battle for a playoff spot." 3
DOUG SMITH (KLIS Radio-Palestine) I. Fai~ield (tie), Maiakoff (tie), .
Crockett, 4. Rusk, 5. Westwood and 6. Teague. ' Look for a three or four-way
dogfight for the top spot. Fairfield and Maiakoff were impressive last year
and look for them to end uv on toy."
LONNIE R. HUNT (KIVY AM-FM-Crockett) 1. Crockett, 2. Rusk, 3.
Fairfield, 4. Malakoff, 5. Westwood and 6. Teague. "Will be tougher than ever
for the winner to go through district undefeated. The key for Crockett will be
at quarterback. Aside from that position they should be stronger than last
year. Rusk has homefield advantage over Crockett, but the Bulldogs have
revenge factor this year. Fairfield may be a lot stronger than anyone thinks --
a definite contender."
BENNY ROGERS (The Malakoff News) 1. Crockett, 2. Rusk, 3. Malakoff, 4.
Fairfield, 5. Westwood and 6. Teague. "After two superior years Crockett and
Rusk will come back to the rest of the pack. Just how far remains to be seen,
but the fight for the two playoff spots could get interesting if Malakoff and
Fairfield are able to cover the distance."
MIKE MONFORT -- (Corsicans Dally Sun) 1. Crockett, 2. Rusk, 3. Fair-
field~ 4. Malakoff, 5. Westwood and 6. Teague.
PAT TURNER (Tyler Morning Telegraph) 1. CrockeR, 2. Rusk, 3. West-
wood, 4. Fairfield, 5. Maiakoff and 6. Teague.
DICK GIBBS (Corsicana Dally Sun) 1. Rusk, 2. Fairfield, 3. Crockett, 4.
Maiakoff, 5. Westwood and 6. Teague. "It could be wide open in this district
with several in the playoff chase."
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