WSSU Will Mak(? a Run " in CIAA David Bulla J.D

Home , Keith Jackson

, . V. . ===== _Black College_ Sports_ _Review H ACr CCLLCet StCCT/ CCVIC1* ^ :lW I m I SEPTEMBER 1987 T" I FJ.TSEftRnif EDITOR * PUBLISHER EmeiLH.Pitt \ STAFF WRITERS V PHOTOGRAPHERS WSSU will mak(? a run " in CIAA David Bulla J.D. Scbwalm Ed Hill Joe Daniels By DAVID BULLA , Wbllace is the resident barometer in the Rams' Craig T. Greenlea James Parker DAiitAiAi lAlpIÂa camp, Roscoe Nanoe CratflT. Greenlee M6VI0W otaTT writer an to the new season. PRODUCTION taking analytical approach g* VVonne H.B. Tryhon , were not looking ahead to anything at this point," Vinson Dewberry Edhh Johnson THE Central Intercollegiate Athletic"Association has he said, "but I think all the ingredients are there for us to a patent on a formula for football seasons. The last four have a great season - and who knows, maybe we will get. I years Winston-Salem State has won the Southern another shot at the championship. sion and eventually lost to the Northern Division Divi- "November really is a long way off, but 1 have a in the CIAA Championship Game. Furthermore,championthe we'll get there soon enough. These guys are hungry/feeling. league champion has gone on to lose in the first round of With Wallace back at his "Zip" linebacker slot, the Well-kept secret the NCAA Division II playoffs. Rams will again be tough against the run. But also pencil Sounds a little monotonous, like a patent for a in the names of Les Blaylock, THE caliber of football at black BarieyulBlbony Raymond played historically record, doesn't it? As good as recent seasons havebrokenPuryear, Roy Willie Jones and Charles Watson as continues to be a secret. Phillips, well-kept collegesbeen to WSSU fans, thefitter taste of defeat has players to be reckoned with when WSSU is on defense. That fact was a ol " reinforced recently by group panied them through the winter, spring and summeraccomf Barley was little short of sensational as a freshman were when sportswriters. They discussing the 1987season ^ months - a constant reminder that could lave been before a knee in the sixth the turned to the 22 in things suffering season-ending injury topic best players the nation. better. That feeling leads to a desire to do better, and game of the campaign at Howard The Java, Va., product - J i . When it came to best Bennie . I time pick the free safety, : every year the Rams get closer and closer to the jammed *4 tackles into his abbreviated season. 'That Blades of Miami was the immediate choice. championship.included a 19-tackle game against North Carolina'Cen- * Then someone tossed out Jackson State safety Kevin i Under these circumstances some coaches tral. He also blocked two and recovered a fumble in ~.- get yVnf'fi nanv Ym urmitH ti«u* »Wrvn«v*» j might punts . . w mini. vw TT UIUU IWfV lUVU^lll 9US1KUW IUIU IlUIIll* down and move on when the opportunity arises. But Bill that contest. nated for of the United States. Uat/M iii0* * * Ghadafy president >iu/via Jim wiiiui|^ wm tur more, never QOUDting Blaylock and Puryear are back for their senior After what seemed like an filled with curious eternity his system or goals. One day, maybe all of his hard work and they were preseason all-CIAA choices byseasons,the looks, someone finally spoke. , and attention to detail will return WSSU to the top in the Greensboro, N.C., News <& Record. Blaylock was an "He can't be as as Blades?" he wanted to good know, CIAA. WSSU has not won the league title in nine years. choice as a sophomore but was overlooked lastallCIAA but already having answered his own question. even he led the Rams in and As another season the Rams must year, though pass breakups would same begins, had 50 tackles from his left cornerback slot the He probably have raised that question i crate on the Southern Division title. Even Puryear, few if someone had hinted that Walter regular-season conceni was WSSLTs leader, second yean ago Paytoui with some losses on defense, the Rams right cornerback, interception should be ahead of Archie Griffin. mqjor personnel to in and in on 51 tackles. put should be back to try to solve the curse that the Blaylock breakups But can't a Kevin Dent be as as a Bennic why good ers seem to have on the Southerners. If WSSU does find an all-CIAA selection at tackle, had 52 Blades or of the other athletes at the so-called Northerns Phillips, hits, any big-time; a solution, the Rams will make history,0 for the Northern 17 for losses. He is joined on the front line by Jones (42 schools? Division has all nine Games. and Watson who takes the of Just because Dent doesn't in front of captured Championship tackles) (44 tackles), place play 80,000 people What follows is a brief look at each CIAA team for three-time all-CIAA "Mike" linebacker Johnny Cole. every weekend and Brent Musburger and Keith Jacksoni the 1987 season. Vfetson is the brother of former Ram quarterback Karlton don't his on national does that mean he's not sing praises TV, t now in the Canadian Football a football Watson, playing League. quality player? n t Charles Watson continues the long line ofDetroit athletes . lb those who call the shots when it comes time to pick who have roles in 80-37-2 all-star teams and hand out national the answer is played big Hayes' outstanding honors, Southern Division mark in 11 seasons at WSSU. and Masha Paul, yes. Beasley how in last season's most dazzling offensive player, also were that when CBS selected - 1977, - Perhaps explains i . . \ Detroit products. . an All-American team in conjunction with its Heisman . WINSTON-SALEM STATE, which has telecast, no quarterback from a historically black schoolTrophy C I been the most consistent program in black With so many standouts returning on defense, the was chosen. Doug Williams was head and shoulders better I college football this decade, lost perhaps two onus will be on the offense to deliver the Rams through than any of the quarterbacks that year. But since he slaved at I of the CIAA's greatest defensive talents of another gnieling schedule, which includes A&T, Virginia ~ Grambling, he couldn't possibly be good enough to be on an LJ the decade to graduation in Donald Evans Union, Central State and East Tennessee State. All-American team that would be shown across the nation. and Derrick Beasley. Coach Bill Hayes says he needs a big seasonAccordingly,out of that Willie Totten went undrafted 60 senior who comoleted . Perhaps explains why Losing the likes of Evans, chosen in the quarterback Bobby Junior, a r1" the NFL after this vftflr'a Natinnal PaaiKoII I om.a . . M was andunsigned by setting practically every Second round of J . iWMWtlW WWH/iUt UVdgUV cent of his passes last year. Junior's favorite target record in sight while playing atMissassippi Valley. passingdraftl>y theXos Angeles Rams, and Beasley, taken in the Paul,-who averaged a league-leading 23.5 yards-per . Perhaps that explains why the New York Jets had Jerry fourth round by New England, might irreparably set back catch. But Paul's marvelous speed and prodigious leaping Rice running 40-yard dashes three days before the 1985 some Division II defenses. But, that should not be the ability have been graduated, leaving Dwayne James»as NFL draft No one had found a reason not to choose him in case in Winston-Salem and the Rams will maintain their the heir apparent James displayed moments of flasbiness the first round. But he was from Mississippi Valley, so he four-year stranglehold on the Southern Division crown. when he saw playing time last season. couldn't possibly be good enough to be chosen that high. Leading the w*y is senior linebacker Marie Wallace, Hayes, who prefers a revolving-door policy in his A Miami Dolphins scout thought he had found the flaw who was credited with terming last season's defensive wing-T backfield, could settle on senior Lonnie Pulley that would keep Rice out of the first round. The scout unit The No Passing Zone." While the Rams limited the and junior Calvin Handsome as the best one-two punch in Rice's blocking ability and thought &at might knockquestionedopposition to a fairly stingy 42-percent completion rate, the CIAA^Pulley is a big runner (5^11, 215) and Hand uiui uuwu a wupic ui ramus. they were even more impressive against the run, allowing some a mighty mite with 43 speed in the 40-yard dash. Somebody forgot to tell him Rice is a receiver, not a only 2.9 yards per carry. Remember these statistics were Hayes will probably ask sophomores Broderick Graves guard. He's not paid to block. the WSSU schedule in and Charles Belcher and senior James "Jet" Johnson to You'd compiled against toughest years, think that such antiquated thinking would have including three playoff-bound teams - Virginia Union. share the running duties with Pulley and Handsome. Please Set Page 11 Division I-AA North Carolina A&T and Central State of The offensive line returns intact, headed by three Ohio - and last season's best black college team performers in center Barrv Turner, riaht tarvuallCIAA Bto*ColîapomB.toH»p«t*h»fbyBto(fc»ominc.P17tt Liwrtyat, Wtnduo. it was the Howard and left Vernard Dillard. Also back Satom.M.C TTtlff irmnflrlif n n %\M r rf iHnmtwrahimad tnmHm University. Indeed, arguably toughest Jerry Maynard guard - i*nm|mfa ^ -4.^ u * i\WWB o® ® a^-i,men vâafla^ » ^pon§ Hawnv, schedule in the CIAA^with Ram opponents winning 57 are right guard James "Plug" Melton (6-6,275), left PO. Bob 3184, WtatOfvMHN. NX. 27108. percent of their games overall Darren Pebbles and tight end Harry Giles, a four-yeartackle ON INI CCmt T* Ml photo, Coach W.C. Qoffen of Jaefcaon ftato gtoaa atftfoa 1» the of Evans and Wallace starter. Lookildga fchoao by JLO. SctvaM; bttov Mi iho Ra#n§ and th» Ea0aa « hMDMifeka Despite presence Beasley, tourt match agato tf* yaar (atf photo); *o«a fV«. ChartM Down, eonwtack. of was the Rams' top defensive player with 114 tackles, The Rams' place-kicking situation is probably the Mm Cckgi (photo by Craig T. Onwin); baton right. qwanatoach Lao DataaMarillto ona of many hay ilwwarto In 1 l.aid UntoawEyabtofoflhaMEiCtto bi 1997. A Mr. including 21 for losses. The Waynesville, N.C., native soundest in the conference, with all-ClAA booter Dino Dateaaaooaantod for moiaftan 1,100 porta and 19 TDalaaiaaaaon. enjoyed the best of his three all-CIAA seasons at WSSU. v %i*«»»«* «%.. Please See Page $ ' " " ' -