Newspapers / The AC Phoenix News … / Sept. 1, 1989, edition 1 / Page 16
Part of The AC Phoenix News (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
Page 10-A, AC Phoenix, September 1989 Little looking for Wildcat MEAC win By Malcolm Pharr Coach Larry Little's Wildcats had a losing record overall last sea son at 5-6. But the 4-2 conference mark was enough for the Cats to claim the MEAC title. Victories over FAMU and Delaware St. gave them the chance to emerge from the confu sion of the regular sea son race. The Wildcats lost heavily from last years team, but they are semi- optimistic that the large number of quality re ceivers. If he can touch it...he can catch it..,is the best possible way to describe Stevie Thomas. Thomas snared a league-leading 43 aerials as a junior last season. This he will have the scouts and agents in an all-out drool throughout the season. Lebrone Sumpter will keep opposing de fenses honest and in single coverage of Thomas. Michael Thomas, who rushed for 510 yards last season, was also on the receiv ing end of 19 passes. The biggesf blow in Wildcat country Is the absence of quarterback Anthony Thomas. Thomas' 2,500 yards in the air last season will be missed desperately. Four players, including converted receiver Lamarc Anderson, are vying to fill the vacancy. Center Michael Willis will lead an inexperienced line for the Cats. The Wildcats will rely defensively on Evan Toney, linemen Joe Jones and Godfrey Story, and linebacker Cedric McKinnon. Delaware Hornets anticipate another winning season Co \ey Malcolm Pharr Coach Bill Collick's Hornets could have a bad taste . in their mouths after losing their first four games last season, but fh'e second half saw a 100% turn around as they won their last five of six con tests. This season's op- / ' 1 timism is bubbling from the Hornet's nest and the joy of sweet honey oozes from the north as Coach Colick has 18 starters returning and 50Jettermen. The Hornets will rely on the leadership of se nior quarterback Darrin Felton to lift the bees back into prominence in the MEAC. The Hor net's backfield must re bound from the loss of 1,000 yard rusher Reg gie Barnes,'who com pleted his eligibility, Eric Wainwright, an all- league selection of linebacker last year will be asked to help fill the holes in the Hornet's backfield. Running- backs Mike Riddick and John Battier also re turned to the nest. Tim Egerton and tight end Dave Jones will provide the strong- armed Felton with ex cellent targets. the Hornets, who are known for high-pow ered scoring offenses is relatively experienced on defense with the one, two punch of de fensive backs Reggie Johnson and Elvis Hines. They finished one and two in the league last season in interception. Pass- rusher supreme Mal colm Showell promises to keep the heat on op posing quarterbacks. Defensive tackle Andy Harris complements the aggressive Showell with consistency. Safety Marc Ware will help round out the sec ondary. Florida A&M readies superior defense By Malcolm Pharr Florida A&M narrowly missed winning the MEAC crown last sea son, despite a difficult schedule. The Rattlers posted a 6-4-1 mark overall, and an impres sive 4-2 mark in confer ence play. This season could be the icing on the cake, and the snakes should "belly- up" and I'ecome a power in the MEAC. Redshirt freshman from a year ago, Tony Ezell stepped forward and passed for 889 yards and 11 touch downs. Ezell's poise and maturity was evi dent in key situations last season. The Rattles will look to Sean Gilliam to carry the ball this season. Gilliam is the team's leading re turning rusher with 322 yards. Amir Rasul and Stacy LeMay will make the Rattlers respectable in the backfield as well. The Rattlers are not about to hide the fact that defense in number one in the state's capital of Tallahassee, Florida. Last year's defense, which was ranked No. 1 in the MEAC in 1988 will be tough once again. Linebacker Darryl Davis who led the team in tackles returns with ample support from cor- nerbacks William Evers and Lowell Crawford. The Rattlers must re cover from the loss of two-time ail-CEAC line man Bryan Brewer, Brewer transferred to Texas Southern. The Rattlers sport one of the conference most gifted athletes in re ceiver/return specialist, Howard Huckaby. Huckaby is a threat to go the distance everytime he touches the football. Florida A&M place- kicker Jimmy Vertuno led the league in scoring last season.
The AC Phoenix News (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Sept. 1, 1989, edition 1
16
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75