Newspapers / Gardner-Webb University Student Newspaper / Sept. 12, 1993, edition 1 / Page 8
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6 The Pilot / September 12,1993 Sports Bulldogs return in flghting mode by Jason Farr staff writer Hey sports fans, the Bulldogs are back and they are on a mission - a mission to maintain the national prominence which they achieved in last year's season. The 1993 Running Bulldog football team is ranked 14th in the NCAA Division II pre season poll. Head Coach Woody Fish says that the team's attitude has improved because of such a high ranking. "When you are at the top, there is no place to go but down," said Fish. "There is a tremen dous pressure on us to succeed, and I feel this has made us a better team." John Craven, a 6' 3", 250 lb, junior quar terback, returns to lead the Running Bulldog offense. He is a third year starter and was named NAIA National Player of the Year in 1992. Craven also led the nation in passing last year. He completed 307 of 506 passes for 4,089 yards and 37 touchdowns. Craven set both school and conference records for pass attempts, completions, yards, touchdown's thrown, and total offense in 1992. The bulldogs will again run the hybrid "run and shoot" offense which was respon sible for 54 points and 20 new South Atlantic Conference records according to the '93 Bull dog Media Guide. Coach Fish poses with the '92 NAIA runner-up trophy Having lost 10 seniors from last year's squad, the offense will undergo somewhat of a change, but that does not bother B ill Unsworth, offensive coordinator. "Our young guys this year want to prove that they are as good, or even better, than last year's team," said Unsworth. Last season, the offense out-scored their opponents by an average of over 27 points a game. Returning wide receivers Chris Gre gory, Roderick Jeeter, and Steve Duncan hope to improve on that mark this year. "We have two goals for the season," said Unsworth. "We want to win ball games and to score within five plays." Last season, the Bulldogs achieved these goals in each game. Another important aspect of the team's success will depend heavily on defense. The team has ranked in the top 10 the previous two seasons in that category. Having nine starters, including three All-Americans, returning this year is a plus for Scott Parker, defensive coordinator. "We have a more mature, veteran defen sive team this year," said Parker. " That has enabled us to concentrate more on improving our defense than actually coaching." Three senior All-Americans will head the defense this year. Raymond Jennings, a 6' 3", 265 lb linebacker, Gabe Wilkins, a 6' 5" 285 lb. defensive end, and James Harbison, a 6' 1", 175 lb. defensive back, will try to con tinue the tradition of defensive excellence from year's past. "Our primary goal is to win ball games," said Parker. The Bulldog's open their season Septem ber 11 at Lees McRae and will be at home September 25 against Newberry College. "How well we play against Lees McRae will set the tone for the entire season," said Fish. "Our goal is to come out, play well, and hopefully come away with a victory." Fall sports previews by Chad Maddox staff writer Volleyball Coach Robertson, lady's volleyball coach, has high expectations for this year's team. Looking to improve on last years 5-16 record, Robertson will look to senior, outside hitter, Patricia Halfelder for leadership. The team also returns three sophomores. Heather Robertson, Tandra Leftwich, and Jodie Dill. In addition to the returning players, there are nine new players who should see consider able playing time. Men’s Soccer Coach Tony Setzer, men's soccer coach, also has high expectations for his '93 squad. Setzer brings back 12 returners plus 33 new players. He will rely on his top three returning players, Brian "Bullet" Espinoza, Alex Ranucci, and Brian Irwin. When asked what it would take for the team to gain success, Setzer said, "We must depend on our veterans, but the new group will also have to step up." G-Wfans out in full-force in the '92 football season. Women’s Soccer G-W had one of the most improved women's soccer teams in the conference by posting a 12 - 6 - 1 record last fall. Coach Jimmy Mitchell returns along with fourteen letter winners that produced a fourth place finish in the South Atlantic Conference last year. The Lady Bulldogs return with two all- S AC performers. The team allowed only a.86 goals per game average and had five shut-outs against opponents. The team will play against Coker at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 14. New player out to make an impact by Andrew Hopper staff writer It is less than a week away before Gardner- Webb University's football team kicks off its '93 season after having reached the national championship game last year. The coaching staff had a great recruiting year, and among the new recruits is one stand out running back by the name of Stephen Greenlee. Greenlee is a 6' 3", 250 pound running back from Surry County, North Carolina. In high school, Greenlee received many athletic honors including Tri-County running back of the year. After high school he attended Virginia Military Institute on a full athletic scholarship. During his stay at VMI, Greenlee found that military school was not for him. Through his high school football coach, a colleague of Woody Fish, he learned about Gardner-Webb. Greenlee says his goal is to make a sud den impact on the team and provide leadership on and off the field. Greenlee would like to thank the coach ing staff, players, and faculty for allowing him a new beginning at Gardner-Webb University.
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