OCR Text |
Show October 3, 1986 DIXIE SUN Page 11 Dixie Tops Juco Poll for 3rd Consecutive Week For the second time in two hes accomplished all this in a years, Dixie College has a number one ranked junior college team in the nation. In 1984-8it was the Runnin Rebel basketball team that brought recognition to the city of St. George by going 35-- 1 and capturing the NJCAA basket-ba- ll title. This year, its the Rebel football team that tops the juco Greg polls, and head-coac- h Croshaw couldnt be happier. Its a great honor to be ranked number one, said Croshaw. I dont think you have to maintain that by any means. Wed like to stay there as long as we can, but it doesnt mean as much now as it does at the end of December. The Rebels burst into the top position on September 13th, after a 62-- 0 thrashing of Eastern Arizona. Since then, Dixie has defeated a very good and a gritPhoenix team 34-2- little over four games. The rest of the offense is also having a tremendous year. Wide Receiver Bryant Hill the leading pass catcher in the nation last year, has caught 20 balls for 443 yards and four touchdowns while working against double coverage much of the time. Fullback Kelvin Minefee has gained over 314 yards on the ground, and averages nearly seven yards a carry. Brook Haws and Eric Price, two freshman receivers from up north, have combined for 15 catches, 321 yards, and four ty Scottsdale bunch 24-1Dixie has been lead all year long by quarterback Mike Fine k Gammel and Unga, and a very young but aggressive defense. Gammel has completed 45 of 83 passes for 905 yards, 10 touchdowns and only 1 interception in four games so far. Unga has been piling up the yardage like the Rocky Mountains do snow. The sophomore from Provo has rushed for 626 yards on 94 carries, caught 12 passes for 161 yards, and scored 13 touchdowns. And Stoedter, and Darin Lambert. Last seasons starting secondary was considered one of the best in the country, and Newman led the nation in quarterback sacks. Still, the Dixie D hasnt exactly stood by and let their op- 5, 7, 4. tail-bac- touchdowns. Dixie averages 458 yards and 40 points a game, and as long as they stay healthy, these kind of numbers will continue. Defensively, the Rebels were hurt hurt heavily by the loss of several top players including the likes of Teddy Newman, Dave ponents run wild. They held Air Force Prep to only two touchdowns, completely shut the door on Eastern Arizona, and blanked Scottsdale for the first 54 minutes of last Satur- days game. The weakest link of the entire team may be the secondary, has three freshman starting. Weve juggled the secondary around for four or five weeks trying to find the right combination, said Croshaw. I think weve settled in now, and those guys are doing an outstanding job. Rebel opponents have averaged just under 17 points and 232 yards per game, but alot of that yardage has come against Dixies second and third which team players when the Rebels have built up huge leads. rankWhile the number-on- e ColDixie is cause for ing just St. and the of George city lege to brag a little, there are some drawbacks to it. I think the publicity and the national attention weve had has been tremendous for not only Dixie College, but also Utah and everybody involved, stated Croshaw. Its a mythical type thing (the poll), it doesnt make any of our players any better, all it does is fire-u- p the guys youre going to play against. They want to prove theyre just as good as you. With the season nearly halfway over, the Rebels are sitting but the toughest pretty at part of their schedule still re5-- 0, mains. Dixie has three nationally ranked teams coming up, and if they do somehow manage to survive without a loss, another national championship will come home to St. George. Rebel defensive buck Tony Elggren breaks up pass intended for Scottsdale receiver. The Dixie D was a key factor in helping the Rebels remain number one. Lady Rebs Host CNCC, Try for 1st ICAC Win The Dixie College Lady Rebels will look for their first conference victory of the season when they face CNCC tonight at 7:00 p.m. in St. George. Tonights contest will be the first time all season long Dixie will be playing on their home court. The Lady Rebels have played in three tournaments to date, and recently lost their ICAC opener to Snow College, 15-1- 3, 15-- 9, 15-1- 3. Im thrilled to finally be playing at home, commented coach Sherry Titus. I know well perform alot better. Weve been traveling so much that Im tired, and I dont even play. Dixie finished with a 1 record, including tough victories over Utah Tech, CEU, and Cypruss Communi- pre-seas- ty College (California), but has lost to Snow twice already. Snow is by far the best team in our conference, said Titus. If we dont start performing now, were not going to have a chance. The Lady Rebs only have two members returning from last years team, Diane Gubler and Carolee Rex. Gubler is the team leader on the court, while Rex is one of the more consistent players. Freshman Tanya Rigby leads the club in kills. Diana is my most consistent says Titus, Shes a motivating force, she gets the team fired up, and she plays well. Following the CNCC game, Dixie will host CEU Saturday, October 4th, at 3:00 p.m. in the athlete. gym. Intramurals Set The 1986 Intramural Football and Volleyball season is just around the comer for those interested in participating. Intramural Football begins October 7th, and registration sheets must be filled out and turned in to coach Bob Horlacher by today. Co-E- d Intramural Volleyball starts October 10th, and each team registered must have at least two boys or two girls on their side. For more information, see coach Horlacher. |