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Show Sporfstocular Pag 12 Thursday, October 25, 1979 When hosMhy, by Keith Duncan ' When Coach Dave Brown talks, the Ogden Tigers listen. Such was the case last week when the Tigers combined for an upset"victory over Box Elder to keep alive their hopes for a Region Four playoff berth. Junior quarterback, Jay McDonald, is one who takes his football serious, says getting into the state playoffs this season would more than make up for last seasons iUHcDonnsindl UvGurdl disappointing 8 final mark. "All its going to take to get a playoff berth is to listen to Coach Brown," said Jay, "Hes taught us more than just football, weve learned respect and pride. Brown, who entered his first year as an Ogden High mentor this season, has revamped old traditions where Ogden football players missed class and were known as the worlds "biggest bullies. "I guess when the season is all over, well look back 2-- hosit and say that he really cared about us. The respect and pride weve learned has carried us a little bit further this season, said the junior quarterback. . Jay, who is also a talented eager during the winer months, missed a lot of the action last week when his Tiger teammates shocked the Bees. In a practice before the Viewmont game, he badly bruised some ribs during a workout which forced him to parade the sidelines during the Viking and Box Elder game. The Ogden QB is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack McDonald of 1061 Edgewood Drive, Ogden. They have watched their son play two years of varsity football at Ogden. In 1978 he quarterbacked one game and played the free safety position on defense most of the season. Competition With Brother and his older brother Rick, presently a senior at Ogden. Jay says his first start in athletics came with his fathers backing, who coached and still coaches youngsters in South Ogden. "But I suppose the one thing that always sparked mfc to do better was watching my older brother, H&ck. I used to tag along as the water boy my first year, but gradually I learned from the older guys and got bet- Its a story in itself about Jay ter, said Jay. Rick, who was on his way to becoming quite a football star himself, suffered painful knee injuries his junior season and hasnt been able to play since. But the older brother continued his quest of dominance on the baseball field and as a result finished very near the top of the state in hitting percentage last season. ' Jays mother, Bonnie, stated, Jay has worked real hard all his life to be competitive with Rick and his friends. The older players hes playing with now, he has been playing with for years. So while Rick eats em up on the baseball diamond. Jay stars on the gridiron and basketball court. If thats not enough for one set of parents to handle, nothing is. Toe Important? Mrs. McDonald then stated, "Sometimes I wonder if sports has become too important. With the injuries to Jay and Rick weve had to look at things with a different perspective. "Where sports have been all they could think about at times, they've come to realize that sometime there may come an end. There has to be something else to turn to. "We as parents dont regret experiencing the . memorable times the boys have had. you could probably count the games weve missed with the fingers on your hand, she said. Jay responded, "Athletics sometimes has brought Rick and I closer together. Its been a big part of our lives. IkJ? jr i sv'-s. ir . 1 .. 4U.4I .yi. WHIN JAY MCDONALD IS HEALTHY th Ogden Tiger's football squad is usually on target. Hera ha has o clook wrapped oround himself during last week's game with Box Elder. KISST PHOTO, Haro Jay gets set to bond off in recent gome. He is just a junior. A Played With Sylvester Cory Sylvester, who now leads the Bonneville Lakers and is one of the top junior QB's in Region One, used to throw touchdown passes to Jay. Playing together on a South Ogden 8S-- pound team. Jay played tight end and teamed with Cory to take their team all the way to the Mini Bowl Championship at Weber State College. ' For two years they played together. Since those mini bowl days. Jays frame has never 190 pound credentials quit giowing. Today his 6-hopefully will get even better and be a plus when football scholarship time rolls around. Jay had never quarterbacked until the eighth grade when his father was coach and no one else was quite available for the position. "Ive been doing it ever since, said Jay. Jay is content with the way Coach Brown has turned the football program this season.' The teachers and administrators at school are sure accepting the spurt better. There seems to be a little more respect between teachers and players now, said McDonald. There Isnt anyone in Region Four that Jay doesnt enjoy beating most than Davis High. "Maybe its just because they're always tough. he said. The Ogden High junior has found through athletics that something doesnt come from nothing. He found that out when he earned his Eagle Scout a few years back. The kind of attitude Jay displays will most likely cany into the basketball season which gets underway shortly. Hell be one Mg reason why Ogden will be out to improve their second place finish la Regkxi Four and seventh place slot in state. ' |