Gridders optimistic in preparation for opener

Gridders optimistic in preparation for opener

Football

This article describes the prospects for the 1974 WC football team and announces a Pep Rally for Friday 9-13-1974. The article mentions that Mel Hinton, DE, has been scouted by the Dallas Cowboys.

Steve Piloni

Quad Angles

Special Collections, Francis Harvey Green Library, West Chester University

9-10-1974

Randall Cream

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https://digital.klnpa.org/digital/collection/wcnp01/id/15132

The West Chester State football team is kicking off its 1974 season a little differently this year. It'll start with a pep rally. That's right, a good old fashioned pep rally (complete with cheerleaders, coaches, players, the works) to precede a good old fashioned winning football season. The festivities will begin on Friday 7:00 p.m. at Farrell Stadium and continue on Saturday with the Ram's home and season opener against the purple knights of Bridgeport University (1:30 p.m.) Head coach John Furlow, now in his third season as top man, is very optimistic about this year despite a disappointing 5-6 slate last season, including a four game losing streak that is still on the line. The Rams have 36 returning players who saw game action last year and are solidly two-deep at every position. Significant losses through graduation are running backs Merritt Kersey (now a free agent punter with Philadelphia Eagles), Fran Caserta, middle linebacker Bill Edger and defensive end Jack Sweeney. However, ample replacements have filled in nicely. A well-honed offense should be a definite plus in the Ram's game plan. "We'll score on everybody," quipped Furlow. The offensive line is quick and experienced. Co-captain and little allamerican candidate Bob Hartshorn is at tight end. Rob Beaument, Jack Simon and Rich Hall will return at offensive tackles. Steady Dominic Scamuffa and Bill Dervich will hold down offensive guard and Ed Hoffman starts at center. The fleet Dennis Wickwire will be at split end. Guy VanAlstine, Chip Zaweisky, and Tom Hogan will monopolize the halfback spots while Warren (Sudsie) Sothern and Herb Mills settle down into the fullback slot. Warren Mays will again be ' the number one quarterback with Chuck Menas eagerly waiting in the wings. There should be no problems putting points on the board. The task of keeping the opponents from doing any offensive frolicking will be up to a defensive line anchored by. Co-captain Mike Green who will start at tackle. Tom Hennessey holds down the other tackle position. At the ends will be Mel Hinton, who was recently scouted by the Dallas Cowboys, and Joe Bucelli. Mike Fitzpatrick, an outside linebacker last season, will fill the void left by Edger at middle linebacker, Rich Kirby should also see action in the middle. Paul Givler on the strong side and Gary Smith on the weak side round out the linebacking corps. The defensive backfield will feature rugged John Barr at right halfback, Kevin MacAneny at free safety, Pete DiFillipo at tight safety, and Ken Batdorf filling in for Dennis lanovale (knee problems) at left halfback. Strong legged Steve Cook will handle the punting and place kicking chores. "This team has real good overall speed," Furlow explained. "Our lineman and backs are very quick. We're not big. We're an average West Chester team as far as size, but the team speed is much better."Assisting Furlow this year will be Dick Yoder (offensive coordinator), Walt Buechele (defensive coordinator), Joe Lauletta (offensive line), John Bove (defensive line), and Vince Knoll (linebackers). Included in this year's power-packed schedule besides Bridgeport are Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Millersville, Bloomsburg, American International College (Mass.), Kutztown, Cheyney, and the University of Delaware. There may not be a single soft spot in the entire schedule, but when you start the year with a pep rally, how can you possibly lose.

Newspaper Article

Mel Hinton