Newspapers / Rocky Mount High School … / Sept. 15, 1967, edition 1 / Page 6
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Page S THE BLACKBIRD Friday, September IS, 1967 In The Grandstand Recently sports fans have viewed the Rocky Mount Senior High School footbaO team with apprehension. With a memory of the past season when the Blackbirds suffered loss after loss, {he fans are looking to the new head football coach with a watchful eye. Most comments about the up coming season have a note of optimism since the only way to go from the past season is up. A feeling of optimism springs, too, from the hope that Jim Tapp, who comes here as head coach after being assistant foot ball coach at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. Tapp’s system seems on out ward appearances to be sim ple. Continuous conditioning in every conceivable phase of the game have moulded a team from a bunch of raw recruits. Daily practice sessions include exercises, running, blocking practice, tackling drills, and many other drills. But looking deeper into the makings of the 1967 team, there seems to be more than just brute strength. The desire to win and a wilUngness to back the new coach 100 percent has prevailed during practice ses sions and in iMormal conver sation. Coach Tapp has re marked that the boys are really beginning to look like a team. By BOB CHAPMAN This “winning attitude” will go a long way in keeping up the team’s spirit. The attitude held by the boys is seen by Coach Tapp as one of the niost important factors in winning. “We are small, slow, inex perienced, and few in number, ’ he asserted. He added that if only these facts were examined, the season would be a tough one indeed. Much of the faith that the new coach is placing in the Birds seems to be in their fine attitude. “If we can continue to develop this attitude of ‘we can’ and that ‘we are going to win,” then everyone can be re assured win, lose or draw, we will have done a good job.” This willingness to win is not totally without a good backing. Coach Tapp has hinted that most of the offensive attack will be made with aerial at tempts. He feels his passers are adequate to do a goixl job, but he has some worries about protection for tlie passer and about the receiver. He declared that protection will be an im portant factor in the new sys tem. An overall appraisal of the team notes that strength does not lie in any one slot, but the offense seems a little more predominent since most of the practices have been spent work ing on the offensive change. FOR BACK TO SCHOOL At The / College Shop Ltd. YOU WILL FIND ... Higgins Slacks Anthony Gesture Slacks Creighton Shirts Sweaters by Heathmore and Jockey Outerware by Alligator and Cable Suits and Sport Coats from Chas. Creed and Hardwick Shoes from Cole-Haan The College Shop Ltd. Is The Only Way To Go! Blackbirds Lose Opener Predicted to win by many locals, the Blackbirds last Fri day night failed to pull off what would have been a mild upset by falling at the hands of Williams of Burlington 19-2. Although the visitors scored three times, the defense was actudly much better than that indicates. Comerback Ken Thompson, Captain Nick Wick er, and end Mike Viverette made repeated tackles, many un-assist^. The offense, where Coach Jim Tapp had stated the bal ance of the game would lie was often ragged, and the ex pected ariel attack never had a chance to get off the ground. Quarterback Tommy Delbridge had some trouble with timing on center snaps, recovering his own bobbles three time.s. The first quarter proved to be a sizing-up period, with the Blackbirds adjusting to Bur lington’s single-wing offense. The second time they had the ball, starting on the eight, the Birds moved well on runs by wingback Colin Murchison and halfback Buddy Edgerton, but had to punt from within their own territory. On the second play following the punt the Birds’ line play caused a fumble, but the ad- * * * RMSH VARSITY Sept. 15—at Goldsboro (x) 22—Wilmington (x) 29—at Raleigh EnJoe (x) Oct. 6—Wilson (x) 13—at Fayteteville (x) 20—Jacksonville (x) 27—at Raleigh Brough ton (x) Nov. 3—at Myers Park 10—Durham (x) X—denotes conference games vantage was lost when a Del bridge pass was picked off. A Burlington drive highlight ed the first half. It ended in a twenty yard scamper from the single-wing backfield, and a touchdown. The extra-point at tempt was wide. Mid-way the third quarter Clint Holt rambled 65 yards through the Blackbird defend ers for a TD, and the 25 yard extra point kick raised the score to 13-0. Delbridge then hit two con secutive passes for twenty yards, but the Birds were forced to punt. Charging hard down field to cover the punt, center Jim Hart hit the re ceiver as he retreated into the end zone. The two point safety was the Birds’ only scoring move, and enabled them to get back into the game, since they still had possession of the ball. But as the fourth quarter began they were forced to punt. From there on out the visi tors dominated, using a pass interference penalty to move deep into Rocky Mount terri tory, and score on a one yard run. The Birds lost the statistical battle. They trailed in first downs seven to nine. The of fense netted 92 yards to Bur lington’s 194. Rocky Mount lost one fumble to the visitors two losses. Edgerton’s seven punts averaged 34.2 yards, while Burlington punted twice for an average of 42 yards. Coach Tapp said after the game that overall the Birds did a good job. He was proud of the effort of everybody. Rocky Mount outhit them, but was hurt on several long plays. The Birds strongest point, ac- Milburn Felton Agency tnsurane _ Rea] Estate — Telephone 442-6647 Construction FOR EXPERT HAIR CARE IT’S THE Beauty Nook - 122 NASH ST. GAS UP AT ENGLEWOOD PHILLIPS 2529 SUNSET AVE. z. B. BULLUCK, Inc. Planters Street Extension WHOLESALE MEATS — ENGLEWOOD BRAKD Established 1904 When You Run Out, Run In Zip Mart! Every Day Is Sundae In Our Dairy Hut! MART 2 LOCATIONS Raleigh Rd. — Raleigh’St. ROCKY MOUNT, N, C. cording to Tapp, was “The de sire to play.” He said it was the first time in quite a while that the Birds did not suffer an injury during a game, and injuries often are caused by half-hearted hitting. Pleased with the entire team’s effort, Coach Tapp refused to single out any individuals for comment. Looking forward to next week’s game. Coach Tapp called the Birds’ chances ex cellent. Playing a game has done the team good, and more consistent play can bring RMSH its first football victory in a long time. Grid Roster Player Position Jay Bobbitt E Mike Easley E Mike Viverette E Ernie Fleming E *Harry Threatt E *Tommy Cox E Ernie Murray T *Wayne Hall T Ricky Leonard T Steve Draper T *Ken Williams T *Russell Lee T R. L. Downing T Steve Parker G * Johnny Worrell G Dane May G Ed Griffin G Steve Shearin G Ross Homer C *Jim Hart C *Tommy Minges c Denny Allen ... .... QB Tommy Delbridge ... ... QB Page Lea .... OB *Bill Griffin Jimmy Roberts .... HB Billy Joyner .... HB *Rob Pitt .... HB ♦Buddy Edgerton .... HB Ken Thompson .. . WB Colin Murchison ... WB *Nikki Wicker ... WB Kirby Carrington .... .... FB *Vince Joyner *—Denotes lettermen FOR THE BEST bahbeque in TOWN Josh Bulluck's Barbecue Rocky Mount’s Largest Selection of Newspapers & Mag^azines Nash St, 117^ Nash St- BAILEY’S Discount Jewslry ' AND ReGord Shop r 116 N. MAIN ST, GI 6-6933
Rocky Mount High School Student Newspaper
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Sept. 15, 1967, edition 1
6
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