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Show Pigskin Preview September 6, 1996 Davis County Clipper P7 67 Wildcats battle in tough Region Mark Watson Sports Editor Each year WOODS CROSS the Woods Cross Wildcats field a good football team. As is the case with most teams, the Cats have had their ups and down, but overall the teams under Coach John Haning usually find their way to the playoffs. Some years they are especially powerful. In 1989 Woods Cross won a region championship and advanced to the state championship game behind the running of Kitt Rawlings. Two of Woods Cross assistant coaches this year, Chad Watson and Mike Wright, were on that team. In the championship game Woods Cross lost to Logan In 1993 Woods Cross reached the state semifinal game where they lost to eventual state champion Pleasant Grove. Last year Woods Cross finished and bowed out in the interregion playoffs. The Wildcats were on a roller coaster ride; they looked good against some of the top teams in the league and were mediocre on other occasions. This year the Cats are young and their numbers are down, but they do have some key returning players who could lead the Wildcats to several victories. "We will need to mature quickly, but we do have some kids with good leadership ability." Coach Haning said. One of those returning leaders is running back Russ Jessop. Jessop moved to Woods Cross last year alter starting on his high school team in Nebraska as sophomore. During that sophomore season his team played for the Nebraska state championship. Russ came to Woods Cross when his father accepted a ob as assistant director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Jessop racked up a bunch of aids last year as a junior. He will be a key man in the Wildcat veer option attack. Jessop, at 5'8" and 66 pounds, is an extremely quick tack-ler- s scntback who leaves would-b- e - 28-2- about 40 juniors and 30 sophomores, the coach said. Woods Cross will play its final season in mega Region 67 and will play no preseason games. They opened the season at home against Judge and travel to Tooele for a game on Sept. 6. The region includes Cyprus, East, Granite, Judge Memorial, Murray, Olympus, Tooele and West. "East has to be the favorite after going to the state championship game last year. Murray and Cyprus will be strong, Haning said. Woods Cross was unable to schedule Bountiful this year, but will be in the same region next year when the Braves and Highland drop to 4A. Helping Haning coach the Cats this year are Marv Magalei, assis tant head coach; Mark Pierce, offensive coordinator: Mark Tate, defensive line; Chad Watson, defensive backs; Scott Ditty, offensive line. Coaching the sophomores will be Mike Wright, a former tight end and Trey Nicholson. It will Hanings 1th year at the helm at Woods Cross. Prior to coming to Woods Cross, Haning coached six years at Lyman High School in Wyoming. He played college football at the University of Northern Iowa. The season at Woods Cross started this year on a sad note when teammate Joe Cottrel died in a hiking accident in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Aug. 16 just three days before the players put on pads for their first practice. All-Sla- Woods Cross Wildcats 1995 Record: 4-- 6 Coach: John Haning Aug. 30 Judge 40, Woods Cross 10 Sept. 6 at Tooele 7 p.m. Sept. 13 MURRAY 7 p.m. Sept. 20 WEST 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at Olympus Oct. 4 at East 7 7 p.m. p.m. Oct. 11 bye Oct. 17 GRANITE 7 p.m. Oct 24 at Cyprus 7 p.m. Players to watch... 4-- 6 grasping air. Jessop will receive handoffs and pitches from quarterback Jake Staker. Staker had a fine season as quarterback of the junior varsity last year. Jake is quick and runs the option well, Haning said. The Wildcat offense, however, will not go anywhere without the help of the men in the trenches; and Woods Cross has a pair of good ones in Chris Boss (62' 215) at tackle and Steve Gam (6', 205) at guard. Chris is a big, strong kid and an excellent lineman, the coach said. "Steve is another top lineman. Anchoring the defense will be inside linebacker Tyler Robison. Robison started at nose guard last season. Also returning is free safety Rhett Nielsen who started in the last three games of the 95 season. Usually we have about 30 seniors on the team but this year we have only 19 seniors. We have RUSS JESSOP TAILBACK 2193 So. Orchard Dr. Bountiful, Utah 84010 298-229- 9 JAKE STAKER QUARTERBACK TYLER ROBISON STEVE GARN LINEBACKER GUARD 2193 So. Orchard D Bountiful, Utah 84010 298-229- 9 GastGroceryDeli Gas Grocery Deli FREE FREE Popcorn With Every Popcorn With Every Fillup! Fillup! |