• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1983-09-01_Vol48_No05_06

Clemson Preview Improved Kicking And Defensive Teams Provide Western With Vast Upset Possibilities WCU quarterback Jeff Gilbert will play an important role in the success ofthe 1983 Catamount offensive attack. The 6-s, 189-pound senior will be starting in his first game for Western Saturday at 1 pm in Death Valley. (Photo by Mark Haskett) , \fi Southern Conference football has perhaps its most demanding season opening day schedule ever this Saturday and the task facing Western Carolina is the most difficult kickoff to a season ever for that school and the toughest opener for a conference team at least in recent history. The kicking game, which hurt the Catamounts chances at Clemson last September, appears strong with placekicker Dean Biasucci (39 career field goals) and punter Steve Kornegay (41.0 yard punting average) returning. Three missed field goals and a couple short punts did not help the Catamount cause last year's loss at Clemso, Defensively, Western's chances will be enhanced if Louis Cooper, a pre-season Division I-AA pick, can play at full speed. The 6-3, 231 pound defensive end turned in an outstanding performance against the Tigers last year. Defensive end Bernard Jopnes, nose guard Mark Buffamoyer, defensive backs Richard Dukes, Steve Marshall and Tiger Greene, along with Cooper, were starters at Clemson last season. Clemson lost 13 starters off last season's 9-1-1 ACC championship club, but preseason publications predict another top 20 finish for the Rigers. Coach Danny Ford's strength is expected to be with his defense with seven starters returning. "I think this Clemson team will be even better defensively than last season's team," says Waters. "Even they admit that they could be awesome up front," he adds. "We must do the same kind of job we did against them last year on defense and move the football in much the same way, but take better advantage of our scoring opportunities." Bob Waters Clemson coach Danny Ford will once again face a smaller Western Carolina team, who, in the last two contests have surprised many people with their competitive play. (Photo by Mark Haskett) The Tigers starting defensive line will average better than 281 pounds, anchored by 320 pound all- ACC middle guard William Perry. The offensive unit, with only four starters returning, has undergone a rebuilding campaign, but is well on its way to retaining its strength behind versatile quarterback Mike Eppley who led the Tigers to five straight wins in the second half of last season. "1 expect their offense to get good field position consistently because of that tough defense," noted Waters. Waters says his team's chances of upsetting Clemson will be determined by two keys. "First, we must give our skill peoplt time and room to operate and secondly, we cannot allow Clemson to control the football all afternoon," he explained. "We must do the same kind of job we did against them last year on defense and move the football in much the same way, but take better advantage of our scoring opportunities," he added. In last season's game, the Catamounts ran 74 plays from scrimmage to Clem- son's 70 and controlled the football for better than half the game. "The weather could be a factor," warned Waters. "A hot, humid day will hurt us a lot more than Clemson as we simply have little or no depth at several positions and must keep our starters on the field to have a chance." Soccer Team Opens Season With New Coach, Veterans, A ndHigh Hopes Western Carolina University's soccer team will open its 1983 schedule this weekend with a new coach, 13 returning lettermen, eight returning starters and a determined desire to improve on last season's 3-15-1 overall record. The Catamounts will start the '83 season this Saturday (September 3) with a visit to the NCAA Division III national champions UNC-Greensboro and then will play at Wake Forest, a member ofthe Atlantic Coast Conference, Sunday afternoon. Western's first home game will be September 10 when the Cats host UNC-Asheville at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. Dean Hamrick, a former WCU soccer player and for the past two season an assistant coach at the school, was recently named as an interim head coach ofthe program after Hugh Jones, the head coach for the past two seasons, resigned to enter private business. Hamrick inherits a team with many question marks - but with some solid returning talent. "I'm erfcouraged that we have some good incoming freshmen with some good returning players," Hamrick said. "Well have to work very hard, though but I feel we can show some definite improvement." Leading the returnees is Second team All-Southern Conference selection Vernon Paiker, a midfielder, who was used mainly as a defender in '82. Scott and Roger Lambert, brothers, also return and should start as midfielders. Other lettermen returning include Stephen Moore (sweeper), Jon Starling (defender), Dereck Prickett (defender), Tom Mudano (midfielder), David Crocker (defender), John Davis (midfielder), Danny Cowan (defender), Doug Finley (striker) and a potential all-star candidate in goalie Trent Faulkner. Faulkner suffered a broken leg in mid-season last year, but had 32 saves and allowed just 10 goals in eight games. Newcomers include several who Hamrick expects to play a great deal. Richmond, Virginia native Mike Sydnor (striker) and Shelby natives Mark Latham (striker) and Scott Reynolds (midfielder) could make immediate contributions as could Luis Perez (midfielder- striker) and Colombian Juan Excobar (midfielder). Chip Van Horn, another frosh, isastrikerwhocouldalsobein the lineup a great deal. Other newcomers include defender Eric Arzani, midfielders Todd Barr and Mike Peteir and goalie Robert McHenry. Western will have the services of another goalie, Elliot Pratt, who returns to the team after missing all of last season with a pre-season injury. Pratt could give Hamrick outstanding talent at the goalie position. The biggest weakness for the Cats could again be the lack ofa consistent offense. In 1982, WCU scored just 14 goals as a team all season and two of last year's top scorers (Karl Wilson, a second team all conference performer and Steve Kosto) do not return. Hamrick will be hoping the Cats, particularly the newcomers, can show drastic improvement offensively. "The big thing is I plan for us to be "gressive. I want our guys to hustle up-and-down the field and get shots at the goal. That's the way to make things happen," Hamrick noted. He also said he planned to use a different offensive philosophy that Western has had in the past several seasons. "We've had two good coaches here in the past four seasons (Malcolm Loughlin, 79-80 and Hugh Jones, 81- 82) who were from Great Britian and they played a more "British" style - a more spread out offense. I think well try a more run-and-shoot type of offense this year. Maybe we can make good things happen. We have to score some goals," Hamrick said. Defensively, the Cats were competitive in '82 and should again be able to keep opponents from scoring a great deal (last year's club allowed 47 goals in 19 games). If injuries do not hamper the club as they did last year (at one time the team was without an experienced goalie). Western could show improvement. The biggest drawback is a difficult schedule, lnnon- conference action, Western takes on such foes as South Carolina, Clemson, Tennessee, UNC-Asheville, UNC Charlotte, Warren Wilson, Limestone and Mras Hill. The Catamounts will play in the Southern Division ofthe Southern Conference with Furman, UT-Chattanooga and The Citadel. They will play intra-divisional foes home-and-away. Other Southern Conference teams on the schedule are Appalachian State and Davidson. The Southern Conference's North Division will include ASU, Davidson, VMI and Marshall. This is the first season of split division play in the Southern Conference. "We can be competitive in our division if we work hard, get in shape and play hard," Hamrick added. The top teams from each division will meet for a championship playoff (November 12) at a site to be determined. National Wildlife Refuge After a hot day on the practice field, the cool water ofthe Tuckasegee came as a welcome relief to these WCU football players. Above-average temperatures have made the fall practice perhaps the hottest in history. (Photo by Mark Haskett) Russ Randolph Sports Editor If you are looking for a good place to spend some time hunting, fishing, or just enjoying the outdoors, check out a nearby national wildlife refuge. Begun in 1903 by President Theodore Roosevelt, the Naional Wildlife Refuge System today includes some 88 million acres in 413 separate refuges. Islands, swamps, and mountainlands make up only a part of the system's diverse holdings. The South has almost 100 of these refuges, and activities range from hunting and fishing, to boating, auto tours, bird watching,and swimming. To locate where you want to go in this area, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can help you, as can our own parks and recreation department here at WCU. The Wildlife Service has recently published a pocket-size color map of the nation's refuges. This "Visitors' Guide to the National Wildlife Refuges" pinpoints most of this area's rfuges, along with the major roads and highways that take you to them. A list of refuge activities and facilities is also provided, with each refuge's address. To order a copy of "Visitors Guide to the National Wildlife Refuges," send $2.25 to the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 and specify stock #024-010-00529-7. If you a bird watcher, this booklet also points out the species of birds likely to be seen in each refuge. If you've never enjoyed this sport, a refuge is the perfect place to start. In fact, "birding" is a pastime in refuges, and has been a competitive sport to more than 20 million people. Indeed, there is a great thrill in sighting a rare bird in the wild, but perhaps no less satisfying than observing any species feeing or nesting close to home. Rich bird populations are plentiful in this area, but even more so in our refuges. Check one out and see what 1 mean. Coach Bob Waters, who underwent surgery last week, is reported to be in good condition and will be on the sidelines for the season opener with Clemson. Intramural Roundup Intramural softball skills for men and women will begin September 6th at 4:00 and run until 5:30. The skills will be held below Leatherwood and Helder Dorms on lighted Intramural fields. Intramural softball teams (Men & Women) begin Wed. Sept. 7th at 4:00 p.m. Softball schedules may be picked up Sept. 6th in the intramural Office. Reid Gym Number 14. Intramural bowling for men begins Wed. Sept. 7th and Sept. 8th from 6:00-9:00. (Total of 3 games recorded). The softball skills will be 1-run bases for time, 2-hit softball off batting tee for distance, 3-throw softball for distance, 4-pitch' softball for accuracy.

The Western Carolinian is Western Carolina University's student-run newspaper. The paper was published as the Cullowhee Yodel from 1924 to 1931 before changing its name to The Western Carolinian in 1933.

• Creator
  • Western Carolina University
• Format
  • Publications (documents)
• Type
  • Text
• Date
  • Date original: 1983-09-01
  • Date digitized: 2019-01-31
• Extent
  • Dimension: 15" x 11.5"
  • Pages: 10 pages
• Subject - Topic
  • College student newspapers and periodicals
  • Cullowhee (N.C.) -- Newspapers
  • Universities and colleges -- North Carolina -- Cullowhee -- Newspapers
• Location
  • Jackson County (N.C.)
  • Cullowhee (N.C.)
• Source institution
  • Western Carolina University
• Source Collection
  • WCU Students Newspapers Collection
• Identifier
  • HL_WesternCarolinian_1983-09-01_Vol48_No05
• Repository
  • Western Carolina University Hunter Library