The Wilmington Morning Star

CATS WILL START FINAL PREPS FOR GOLDSBORO TODAY

Backfield Making Progress In New Formation Stunts

By GENE WARREN

With one full week of strenuous practice behind them, the New Hanover High School Wildcats start their final drill sessions today in preparation for their third conference game of the season against the highly touted Goldsboro Earthquakes, Friday, at the Tobacco City.

Goldsboro presents a fine grid aggregation as they boast a respectable pigskin record thus far this year. The Earthquakes received their worst setback Friday night, bowing to the high-flying Raleigh Caps, 26-6. The Locals dropped a 13-0 decision to the Raleigh eleven, and the comparable scores give Wilmington a decisive edge.

Coach Leon Brogden and his assistant, Tom Davis, having sent the 'Cats through long and grueling practices, introduced several new formations in hopes of breaking the poor offensive showing the Orange and Black has displayed in their past two tilts. The varsity is catching onto this new strategy very well, and with continuous work on the plays, may develop a good ground attack.

Brogden's first string backfield is the same one which started out this season, and showed up nicely in non-conference tilts, but broke apart during the tight conference struggles. Dave Bannerman, Kenneth Rogers, and Louis 'Bubba' Sykes are the mighty trio who carry the brunt of the ball-carrying in this new system, starring Johnny Symmes at the quarterback slot. This initial line-up is just a notch above the second though which has Jimmy Piner, Jack Marcus, Dick Hanson, and J. C. Price in its ranks. Piner, a short, nicely built lad, is being groomed at the signal calling job, and operates smoothly at his new position. Hack saw Tuttle, quarterback of the third eleven, is still tossing aerials for that bunch of gridders.

Only a sophomore and playing first string end is Jim Gibson, who can punt 'em long and high, and who is one of the fastest boys on the squad. Gibson took over the left end job after Herman Vick was ruled ineligible for conference competition, and has performed brilliantly at the flank spot. Jim looks forward to greater things his next two seasons in High School.

The remainder of the line is formed around John Hobbs and Charles 'Chubby' Paul, both whom are playing great ball this year at the tackles. 'Butch' Swart is right behind this two-some, while Bobby Haas is breathing on Graham Barefoot and Irwin Gore at the guard jobs. Buddy Bridges and Neal Patrick are the two other standouts at ends, while Don Hyatt, beanpole center, finds his job within the reaches of 'Mustard' Mathis and Tinkey Rogers.

This spirited team still has a fighting chance to take a high place in the Eastern A Conference standings, but must beat all their remaining opponents while Raleigh must fall apart against Rocky Mount to take top slot.