Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / April 23, 1992, edition 1 / Page 14
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Sports B1 BLACK COUJEGE FOOTBALL ..... EARLY BIRD OUTLOOK Coach Pete has a challenge on his hands By CRAIG T. GREENLEE Chronicle Sports Editor It's not even summer yet. How ever, the start of pre -season camp for the '92 football campaign isn't that far away for Winston- Salem State. For several valid reasons, the upcoming season could be Pete Richardson's most challenging as a head coach. For starters, the defend ing CI A A champions need replace ments for four highly productive run ning backs who finished their college careers last November. Defensively, there's a huge void because the starting front line is gone. But other than those two areas, the Rams should be in decent shape. Here's a look at how the Rams, who finished at 9-2 a year ago, stack up for the 4 92 season. Offense It would seem that quarterback would be major concern because two-year starter Mitch Nicholson is gone. Richardson doesn't feel he'll have major worries because Rovelle McMillan has gaii^d valuable expe rience as a part-time starter and backup oVftf the past two seasons. Eric Davidson is the Rams No. 2 QB. The situation for the rest of the backfield isn't as clear. Everette Nor wood, Bobby Brown, Willie Latta and Ronald Beverly were by far the best set of backs in the conference last year. Going into August, it appears that Greg Smith and Anthony Dash will get first crack at picking up where Norwood, Brown, Latta and Beverly left off. Richard Huntley, a 6-2, 220 pounder with 4.5 speed in the 40 will be on hand, after sitting Photo by Max DunhiH Pete Richardson is preparing for the toughest schedule that Rams have had during his four-year tenure as the Winston-Salem State's head coach. out his first year as a Prop 48 case. "We were very pleased with how things went for us in our spring workouts," said Richardson. "We had a lot of new people to look at, especially on offense. The biggest thing is that our quarterbacks and running backs got the chance to leam our [ Wing-T] system... In our offense, it takes time for new people to pick things up because the backs have a lot of reads to make." In any offense, the prime focus is on the skilled positions. But those skilled folk don't come close to reaching maximum productivity if the line doesn't do its job. Winston will be on solid footing because the nucleus of the front line returns. Center Jamie Rivers (6-2, 255), tackle Kelly Goodman (6-4, 255) and tight end Chris Swinson (6 6, 215) were vital cogs in the Rams offense that churned out over 400 total yards a game last season. Sophomore Travis Wall (6-3, 265) also saw his share of minutes last year and will man the other tackle spot opposite of Goodman. The guard spots aren't nailed down at this point, but Richardson feels he has enough quality returnees to help his front liners perform up to their usual efficiency. "It's a matter of (the offensive line) gaining con sistency and maturing to a point where they play at the level we've always played at as a unit." Richardson 4s confident that the Rams passing game will be more productive than it was in 491. Fact is, Winston may have won more games if the passing attack could' ve pro Please see Page B3 Hayes feels that Aggies will be solid in '92 By CRAIG T. GREENLEE Chronicle Sports Editor Coach Bill Hayes isn't out wardly promising that any champi onship banners will fly in Greens boro next November, but he's quick to say that North Carolina A&T will be a solid group for the r92 football season. The Aggies, who shared last year's MEAC title with Delaware State and appeared in the Alamo Heritage Bowl, will be without sev eral sterling performers from that team. However, the cast for the upcoming season is anything but lacking. The prime question to be answered on offense is who will take over at quarterback for two-time MEAC offensive MVP Connell Maynor? Defensively, the Aggies are minus three starters on the line, all of whom, are expected to be picked in the NFL Draft which begins on Sun day. "We won't be a great team," said Hayes, who guided A&T to a 9 3 record last year. "But we'll be good and solid, with balance at every position." At the end of spring practice, the quarterback situation had not been settled. For now, three QBs have equal shots at landing the start ing job in September. David Russell, a Winston-Salem junior who played at North Forsyth High School, has the tools required to play in Hayes* Wing-T scheme. At 6-3, 215 pounds, he's the best of the three at running the option, and is considered a better than average passer. Maceo Bolin and Adrian Starks are at their best as drop-back passers. "It's up in the air as to who will be our quarterback," Hayes said. 44 All three played well during the spring, but neither came out as the clear winner. If that stays the same, we may have to go with two quarter backs during the season. We'll adapt our offense to the strength of whoev er becomes the starter." The remaining offensive slots have more than enough quality can didates who will compete for starting assignments. The offensive line is bulky, experienced and deep. Two year veteran center Richard Lide anchors a front wall that easily goes two-deep at each position. James Lancaster will most likely take over for Craig Thompson at tight end. Adrian Pearson should also play a major role when the Aggies go to a double tight end set. At running back, A&T is shamefully talented with five guys who played admirably last year. Barry Turner (1,166 total yards) is acknowledged as the best of the group. But James White (7.3 rushing yards per carry), Mike Artis, Fred Ingram and Rudy Brown have proven that they can deliver when 4 their number is called. Sophomore speed guy Brian Rodman (4.3 in the 40) is expected to make a serious push for minutes in the backfield. The wide-out position wasn't considered to be a major asset for the Aggies last fall. But Hayes feels that the receiving corps will come along. Chris Williams returns after missing all but one game last season due to injury. Rudy Artis and Larry Latta are also very capable pass receivers. On the defensive side of the ball, the Aggies need to replace Kevin Little, Reggie White and Knox Thompson ? a trio that combined for over 200 tackles and enough Please see Page B3 Bill Mayes Is looking to guide North Carolina A&T to Its third straight winning season. Photo by T-Lee
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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April 23, 1992, edition 1
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