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.