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HOUSTON DAILY JOURNAL Tech defense must keep sssignments versus Wake Forest By Adam Van Brimmer Morris News Service ATLANTA - Wake Forest’s offense has evolved away from the triple-option scheme head coach Jim Grobe installed upon his arriv al six years ago. The Demon Deacons still utilize many option principles, though, particularly misdirection runs. Wake averages 158 yards rushing a game, third best in the ACC. Georgia Tech’s defense will coun ter in Saturday’s Atlantic Coast With Vick - 'don't' follow the loader Et tu, Don Moncrief! Imperious Leader claims friendship, and he is an honorable man. Alack! He knows nothing of football to com pare it to such a base sport at NASCAR. For six years Michael Vick has been the quarter back for Joe Sersey Journal Correspondent the Atlanta Falcons. To read Monsewer Moncrief, Falcon receivers have been drop ping Vick passes that entire time. Why is that this year we cry havoc and let loose the dogs of excuses? Yond Moncrief has a lean and hungry look. He thinks too much, and that is dan gerous. When I read Exalted One’s editorial, I felt like Andy Griffith when he learned Don Knotts was leaving Mayberry. I was bereft. At least when he men tioned my name, he spelled it right. Don reads much, and he looks quite through the deeds of men. Unfortunately, he sees only what he wants. Pass, pass, hand off, hand off, yawn, and win the Super Bowl. Great One admits he is an unabashed fan of the Falcons. I am a fan of vic tory. For six years, we’ve been told that Vick needs an offensive coordinator who understands him and his RETURNERS From page iB court. But first, start with all of that Demonette talent and potential. There are six play ers back from the 2005-2006 season plus a transfer from Perry High School who gave Warner Robins some fits as a Lady Panther last year. Of Mobley’s senior class, two are slated to play at the Division I college level once the high-school work is all done. “The potential is unlim ited,” said Mobley. “We have a very veteran group.” Cherie White, a 5-9 senior forward, let Eastern Kentucky know she wants to play at that school on the first day of the early sign ing period. Mobley said she does everything from shoot ing 3-pointers to putting on moves at the blocks. White is also nearing the 1,000-point mark for her Demonette career. “She’s a good defensive player, good passer, great rebounder,” said Mobley about his team Most Valuable Player two years ago and one who has also gone through the pain of an ACL tear. “She’s been starting since she was a freshman. She might not have started at the beginning of her sopho more year a game or two, but she’s pretty much start ed every game of her high school career.” Kittery Maine, 6-4 senior center, was also a focus of the early signing period’s opening when she honored a commitment to Liberty University. She is actually one of sev eral tall presences in recent years at Warner Robins, but Mobley said the painted area Conference Championship game with the most basic of principle of defending the option: Assignment football. Linebacker Philip Wheeler said that shouldn’t be too difficult for the Jackets. Georgia Tech’s plays an assignment scheme any way, although the Yellow Jacket defender are also reputed for their ability to flow to the football. That can take them out of position on misdirection plays and will be a focus Saturday, defensive tackle potential. Jim Mora, the father, declared Vick a “coach kill er,” and the Falcon nation cried out, “Fie, my lord, fie! A coach and aleard?” Jim Mora, the son, dis puted the claim. He insists that Vick is his quarterback. Mora Jr. has gone so far as to say Vick would be his first choice any time. That’s good television because Arthur Blank, the Holy Mackerel, pays the bills and likes Vick and he writes Junior’s checks. Blank views the game much like my beloved (read backstabbing) leader. He’s a fan. Blank loves Vick to the point that he pushed the injured quarterback around in a wheelchair while the erstwhile passer recuperated from an injury to his leg. Like any fan, he wants the excitement. He’s blinded by the big play, never realizing it’s all the little plays that lead to touchdowns and vic tories. Junior knows who the Big Guy wants under center, but what he may not realize is that Vick will decide the head coach’s fate. Yes, I believe Vick has that much influence. Blank may finish the season by down sizing upper management if the Falcons don’t make the playoffs. He’ll ask Vick for an opinion as to whether Mora and crew should hit the pavement. Vick will get yet another offensive coordinator whose job it will be to tap into Vick’s unexploited poten tial. I say there isn’t an offen now solely belongs to her. “Kittery has a nice, soft touch,” said Mobley. “She’s been playing a lot more aggressive this year, block ing more shots, posting up harder and looking for the ball. She’s probably averag ing 10 or 12 points and eight or 10 rebounds.” Symone Wilkerson is only a junior, but the point guard is already racking up num bers in assists and steals in her third season as a start er. Warner Robins played three games in a girls-only tournament in Griffin Nov. 18-21, and Mobley figured out Wilkerson’s average was seven assists per game. “She’s had a ton of steals,” the coach added, emphasiz ing her effort on Tuesday in a win at Perry High. “She’s another good defen sive player. She pushes the game, shoots the 3, can pen etrate.” Tiandra Billings is the for mer Perry player now with Warner Robins who brought a long 3-point touch with her. Mobley said she was the top Perry scorer in all three games against the Demonettes last year. “Liza Gaines (5-11 senior) is our power forward,” said Mobley. “She transferred in last year from Miami. She’s a real good rebounder. She’s a banger in there, gets a lot of put-backs and has a nice soft touch from the out side.” Shay la James is a senior backup forward trying to get back into action after an off season injury. Mobley said she is the fastest player on the team and plays intense defense. Juniors Victoria Rushing and Kyanne Holland will provide backup at guard. “We have other girls who Joe Anoai said. “We just have to take care of our first responsibility and after that try to make something extra hap pen,” Anoai said. The Yellow Jackets’ defensive speed should counter Wake’s abil ity to run the ball outside, Wheeler added. The middle linebacker is Georgia Tech’s biggest play-maker and is anxious to face the Deacons’ offense. “I think we’ve been known of as an undersized defense with more sive guru who can do that because the offensive strate gic answer is so simple: Use a playground offense. “OK, you guys. Go long and I’ll run around until one of you gets open. Iron Hands, you run until you’re even with the brunette in the front row. Stumblebum, you run to the fat security guard and cut towards the sidelines, and Clumsy Cal, make sure you don’t block the camera’s view of me. I’ll pretend I’m going to throw the ball then run like hell.” That’s all the offensive planning necessary for a Michael Vick game. As to potential; that’s an ugly word. How does one measure potential. To be blunt, I don’t care about quarterback ratings, comple tions to interceptions, or QB rushing records. I want tick marks in the win column. I want a Super Bowl. If Vick brings me that, I’ll shut up. Don’t forget the Indianapolis Colts are 9-1 and their only weapon is a statue that understands the game and can win. Oh yeah, his receivers can catch some thing besides a cold. I must point out to my friend (read friend) that he reminds me of an Irish set ter I once knew. For three years that dog kept trying to dig out a chipmunk he was determined to catch and eat. For three years he failed. All he had to show for his efforts were bloodied paws, but he believed he’d get that rodent. What fools ye mortals be ... Keeping on looking for potential when its victories that count. could step up and fill a role,” said Mobley. “That’s going to be a big thing, the bench developing.” While it is a veteran group, Mobley said he is adding to his system that these players should know up and down, backwards and forwards. He has put in a half-court trap to take advantage of quick ness at the perimeter posi tions. “We had about four (6-2 to 6-4) girls two years ago,” said Mobley. “Which made us big and slow. Everybody looks at big ... it’s great to be big, but it slowed us down. Now we’re trying to play more up-tempo defensive wise. “They know what I expect, and the young girls are pick ing it up. We have a lot of room for improvement.” Warner Robins’ new look on the court comes at the same time it moves to Region 1-AAAAA with a reg ular rival in Houston County along with Lowndes, Tift County and Colquitt County that will be in the hunt for the four state-tournament spots. “It’s a real balanced region,” said Mobley. “Valdosta was the weak team last year, but I’ve already scouted them and they are not bad at all. Lowndes is very athletic. “Houston has a great team. There couldn’t be a bet ter player in this area than Tonia Williams, and she’s just a junior. So it’s going to be a tough go. But we are used to that being in there with Northside, Westside and people like that. “Chemistry is going to be a big thing, playing team ball. Stay together and maintain a good attitude, plus work ing hard in practice every day to get better.” SPORTS REBUILDING From page iB was going to depend on a lot. “That left we with two returning seniors who kind of both semi-started.” One of those is her own child, Janay Wilson, a point guard who missed a lot of action in her junior year while recovering from an operation in the summer of 2005. Janay is back at full strength and already has a college scholarship in hand from the Savannah College of Art & Design. “I had great expectations, and I still have great expec tations,” said coach Wilson. “Although we did lose those two key players, the young girls I have are stepping in and will fill their shoes.” The Northside girls pro gram did send two former Lady Eagles to the colle giate ranks after last sea son. They are Trycee Brown and Lakeisha Levi. It left Wilson without her main offensive weapons from last season. In Brown she lost leadership and a versatile athlete, and in Levi she lost 20 points a game and a solid rebounder. Quantisha Wynn and Sonyetta Davis also gradu ated, taking away long range threats. “We make up for that with hard work, putting a lot of emphasis on funda mentals and a lot of empha MACON REGIONAL MMPmu Help so(ve A Crime 742-2330 • 1-877-68CMME (2 746 3) Rewards of up to *I,OOO - Remain Anonymous! Lisa Ann Bennett Wanted for financial transaction card fraud LKA: 100 block of Dora Lane, Bonaire Jovan Dontrell Smith Wanted for violation of probation from State Court LKA: 100 block of Parkway Drive, Warner Robins Brian Dean “BJ” Sparks Wanted for violation of probation from Superior Court, financial transaction card fraud, forgery (first degree) and burglars LKA:3OO block of Macy Avenue, Perry Chiroy Benjamin Washington Wanted for theft by taking, violation of probation from State Court LKA:800 Oak Avenue, Warner Robins IF YOU DON’T LIKE SEEING YOUR PICTURE ON THIS PAGE, CALL CRIMESTOPPERS AND TURN YOURSELF IN! speed,” Wheeler said, “so I think that matches up well with a perim eter team like Wake Forest.” 6ATIR WIU TAKE GEORGIA TECH WITH LOSS; Gator Bowl officials have backed off their stand against inviting Georgia Tech to their New Year’s Day game should the Yellow Jackets lose Saturday. The ACC’s bowl rules state the only team the Gator could take over Georgia Tech is Virginia Tech, the lone team with a record within a game of the Yellow Jackets. The sis on defense,” said Wilson. “We are smaller, but a little quicker than we were last year. I think it’s a good ben efit to have when you don’t have the size. But if you are slow and don’t have size, that could be a problem.” Northside already has some games under their belt at a girls-only tournament in Griffin. Brittany Holder and Janay Wilson accounted for most of the scoring in those games while others had four points here, two points there. “I think if we can get every body to contribute two to four points - my role players - and if Janay and Brittany can stay in the double figure area, I think that’s where the points will come from,” said coach Wilson. The Lady Eagles stayed put as far as playing in a Class AAAA region, but saw a host of changes in terms of the teams surrounding them in their sub-region. The most glaring entry is Jones County High, which also played into the Elite Eight round of state compe tition last year. “The region is still a strong region,” said Wilson, whose main rival, Warner Robins High, is still on the schedule but playing in the 5A classification. “We have Jones County with a great program. Westside (Macon) has a great program. I think we have a very strong side. It’s going to be a battle. “(Jones) didn’t lose Arturo V. Santos Wanted for violation of probation from State Court LKA: 100 block of Sandy Run Road, Warner Robins Malcolm Kenyatta Smith Wanted for violation of probation (for deposit account fraud) LKA: 100 block ofWindfield Lane, Bonaire Vandv Keon Alderman ' Wanted for failure to appear LKA: 1000 block of Elberta Road. Warner Robins Jennifer Lynne W'ilson Wanted for two bench warrants from Superior Court for failure to appear LKA: 900 block of Chapel Ridge Drive, Perry SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2006 ♦ Hokies finished 6-2 in conference play while Georgia Tech went 7-1. The Chick-fil-A Bowl ranks ahead of the Gator in the ACC peck ing order, though, and will invite Virginia Tech to its game. That would stick the Gator with Georgia Tech, and the bowl’s officials fear ticket sales would lag. The Gator Bowl would be the Yellow Jackets second game in Jacksonville in a month. Georgia Tech can make See TECH, page SB enough to hurt them. They are the team you have to look for, work hard to try to beat them. They have the experience. Westside is the same way.” That would seem to put the Lady Eagles at some what of a disadvantage with the lack of experienced starters. Several of the play ers were a part of the team that traveled to Columbus State for the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight, but there is a difference in just being in the gym and being on the court during live action. “That’s our goal, to get back to the state playoffs,” said Wilson. “And take it as far as we can take it.” As far as game action goes, Northside basketball is at the mercy of Northside’s current football run in the state playoffs. A non-region doubleheader with Warner Robins scheduled for Dec. 1 was moved to Jan. 27, but there are two 4-AAAA sub-region contests slated for Dec. 5 (at Westside) and Dec. 8. (Dutchtown). Northside boys varsity bas ketball coach Kevin Smith, also a football assistant, said those two dates could be switched pending the result of the quarterfinal game against Habersham Central, but no decisions were made as of Thursday. The Dec. 8 date would be Northside’s day to play in the football semifinals at the Georgia Dome if the Eagles are vic torious. : SMB'- * Dennis Jav Scruggs Wanted for bench warrants from Superior Court for failure to appear on original charges of ag gravated assault atul false imprisonment LKA: 110 block of Blackberry Circle. Kathleen |M ; JHHkJ James Earl Spann Wanted for failure to appear LKA: 400 block of Virginia Dare Drive, Warner Robins Ollie Trent Stewart Wanted for bench warrant from State Court, failure to appear/Contempt of court/giving false name. birlhdate/obstruction LKA: South 2nd Street, Warner Robins David E. Young Wanted for violation of probation State Court LKA: 1000 block of Booth Road,: Warner Robins 5B hull'll?