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Show Review - Thursdav. Nnvemher 7. 1985 -- Page 10 Local quarterback scrimmages with BYU defense y ' v t .. . if3fe;'r'i . 50 't!V:Vv':: By MARCELLA WALKER Mention was given last spring when Brad Kitchen of Pleasant Grove received a BYU football scholarship, but no one knew then that Eric Thomas, Pleasant Grove High School's talented quarterback last year, was going to walk on at BYU and make the team. Eric has made an outstanding contribution to the BYU Junior Varsity football team this fall and he has also made a substantial con-tribution to the varsity team even though he has not been seen in one of their games yet. The junior varsity doesn't have a separate practice from the varsity. They get out there and get knocked about by the big guys and Eric has had the distinction of preparing the defense for their encounters with option football teams. The Viking football team plays the option. Since Eric knew the option so well he was selected to quarterback in scrimmage when BYU is going to play an option team. The thing he likes best about being a quarterback at BYU is that quarterbacks never get hit, Eric said. He added that football at BYU is a lot different from high school ball. Eric explained that all of the players are so good and competition is very keen. He stated that BYU has a com-plicated offense in football and there is a lot a quarterback must know. He said there all different sorts of coverages that must be learned. Eric was recruited a little by BYU during the season but they felt like he was too small. At that time he was only about 5 feet 9 inches and play at BYU it will probably not be as a quarterback but as a running back. His size is still a problem for a quarterback. Mike Holmgren, the quarterback coach at BYU, stated that Eric is a super kid and is working hard. How did Eric get to this point in his football career? He started playing contact football in the fourth grade when the family lived in Idaho. He has always played quarterback. Pleasant Grove went to state all three years while Eric was in high school. The best overall game he's played was when the score was 22-- 0 for the Vikings. His dad said the best play he ever had was the long pass to Scott Mosher in the Timpview game last year. Probably one of his most disappointing games was in the semi-final- s last year when he threw a two point conversion against Ben Lomond which was called back on a controversial holding call. Eric enjoyed playing for Coach Doug Bluth at Pleasant Grove High and thinks that Coach Bluth is the greatest coach in the state along with Coach Darold Henry and Coach Scott Ormond. Last year he would spend Sunday evenings at Coach Bluth's house going over the plans for the coming week. Eric added that he feels Coach Bluth made him what he is now. Eric is majoring in com-munications. He enjoys journalism, writing, mythology, electronic media and poetry. He is a good horseman, likes to hunt and have six girl friends. He is planning on a missiion. Eric is the son of Mike and Adrienne Thomas of Pleasant Grove. Eric Thomas smiles because BYU quarterbacks don't get hit in practice. weighed about 140 pounds. 5ince then he has grown and is about 5 feet 11 inches and has put on 30 pounds with the BYU conditioning program. He was offered partial scholar-ships by Snow College, College of Eastern Utah and Southern Utah State College. He didn't feel like this was what he wanted to do. His father, Mike, is employed at BYU and Eric could get half tuition there and live at home. He talked to BYU about walking on. He contacted Norm Chow, assistant BYU coach, and was checked out in August. They then decided he had a chance to make the team. Eric, an Eagle Scout, has been the backup quarterback for the junior varisty and played the entire second half against Weber State. They play Weber State again this Friday, Nov. 8, at 1:30 p.m. in the BYU Stadium. This would be a good chance for all of Eric's fans here in Pleasant Grove to see the team play. Bart Andrus, the junior varsity coach at BYU, said that Eric is an excellent athlete and has a definite chance at the varsity. He noted that Eric has done a great job of getting the varsity defense ready for op-ponents. Coach Andruss added that Eric has good speed, a great attitude and great potential. Eric said that if he continues to Eric Thomas practices with the BYU defense for up-coming games with teams who use the option. nrr As ; vv v '' A ' I, L Sl - ' v I V Halloween Memories. . . These little ghosts and goblins are participating in the Pleasnt Grove Recreation Early Learning Center. The children played games and were given goodies at the fun party at the Community Center. Smokeless tobacco is hazardous Instead of carrying a pack of cigarettes rolled up in their shirt sleeves, some students today are brandishing a snuff can ring in their back pockets, according to dental health educators. "These students don't realize that the hazards of dipping and chewing are just as great as those of cigarette smoking, and those risks include cancer," said Dr. Gary Matthews, DDS President, Utah Dental Association. Dr. Matthews stressed the im-portance of educating school children on the dangers of smokeless tobacco. "We must urge schools to include these warnings about smokeless tobacco in their oral hygiene programs." Holding tobacco in the same place in the mouth, often produces white, leathery patches call leukoplakia, sr which are considered pre- - i cancerous. "Three to five percent of diagnosed leukoplakias have the potential to become oral cancers," t Dr. Matthews said. ( Also, studies show that all forms of smokeless tobacco contain high ( concentrations of certain car-- , cinogens, cancer-causin- g agents. The Surgeon General's report, j along with numerous other studies' j have linked smokeless tobacco to an increased risk of cancer of the mouth, pharynx and esophagus. j "The kids only see the glamour of these products, since well known athletes and country rock stars , often endorse them," Dr. Matthews said. "But the possible con- ' sequences of chewing tobacco and dipping snuff are far from glamorous." Men's basketball league still has team openings The Senior Men's Basketball League in Pleasant Grove is scheduled to begin play on Nov. 19. According to league directors there are still several openings in the 12 team league. Individuals who are interested in either coaching or sponsoring a team should contact the Recreation Office at 41 E. 200 South, Pleasant Grove. They can also call 785-617- 2 to enter the league. There are several residency rules which will need to be met. For specific information, contact Paul Schoonover, 785-420- or Bill Hoglund, 785-396- for further details. The deadline for entering a team in the league will be Monday, Nov. 11. A final league meeting will be held prior to November 19, with the final date and time being announced to those who are registered. JAN ROCK Let's Talk fif Robinson 756'3M1 & Wilson Realty . There's something fresh in American Fork! VXV AUTOMOTIVE fi(m SERVICE SPECIALS Wheel UJioEOFizxo vj! AlinmB t (front-en- d service available) Radiator Backflush & Fill Most drive cars T 1 S ZJ & light trucks ( O ) (includes up to Call for appointment U V 2 gallons antifreeze) 756-960- 4 VALUABLE COUPON). Brake J rjintorizc rowi 531? 1 Service i Snow Tire ilPi (Disc or Drum) j 'J changeover J $0H9S a Offer good J per pair only with coupon I (includes bearing pack) I . I rTlSJfc) Mount and . 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