Newspaper Page Text
October 16, 1978
The Panther
Page 7
Clark Weaves Win InTextile Classic
By Charles Anderson
PANTHER Sports Editor
There was partying in the stands and singing of old college
songs at the Textile Classic football game September 30
between the Clark College Panthers and the Fort Valley Stab
College Wildcats.
These two Georgia rivals have been competing against each
other in this classic since 1961. The game has involved some of
the state’s top gridders and attracted thousands to Griffin,
Ga. yearly. When the final buzzer sounded for the 18 th annual
confrontation, it was Clark celebrating and singing the school
song and Fort Valley heading to the locker room, dejected
after a poor performance.
Playing before a partisan crowd of 10,000, Clark handily
defeated Fort Valley 13-0. The fans really set the tone of the
game. The atmosphere reminded me of my old high school
days when the stands were packed and filled with en
thusiasm. I was surprised at the outcome, but as one Griffin
resident noted, “It’s like this every year. And boy, do the
people here make money!’’
Residents of this rural town look forward to the game as
much as the out-of-towners. Griffin’s business sector people
increase their sales considerably every year because of the
classic. After most people make their purchases, they head for
the stadium to cheer for their favorite team.
The Panthers were clearly the dominate team. The Wildcats
were unable to move the ball against Clark’s Crunch Bunch
defense and the offense victimized Fort Valley’s defense for
two big touchdowns. Clark could have won by a bigger
margin.
Panther quarterback Kenneth Standifer frequently went to
the air against Fort Valley’s defensive secondary. Although
statistics indicate otherwise, Standifer was on target all
night. He was relaxed, throwing deep whenever he felt like it.
The offensive line did a fine job on Fort Valley’s defensive
line, which enabled Standifer, the game’s outstanding offen
sive player, to stay in the pocket longer than usual and read
the defense. The picture perfect pass that sealed the victory for
Clark came late in the third quarter when Standifer dropped
back in the pocket and threw a deep pass to the right comer of
the end zone to wide receiver Cedrick Morris, who beat two
Wildcat defenders on a post pattern. His diving reception was
worthy of an instant replay.
“People say we don’t pass,” said Panther head coach Jesse
McClary, who evened his seven year record at 3-3-1 in the clas
sic. “But you’ve got to get your rushing game going first.”
Indeed, Clark established an awesome rushing attack
behind the stalwart offensive line of guards Stanley Brown
and Edward Fowler, tackles Johnny Pellman and Lemar
Smith, tight ends Charles McPherson and Aldo Gaither ,
and center Byron Adams. They controlled the line of scrim
mage along with reserve guards Waddell Britton and Melvin
Mitchell, and tackle Keith Richardson, opening holes con
sistently for backs Charles Metts and Phillip McCrary. Metts
had afield day, rushing for 117 yards. He ran to the outside, up
the middle, and over Wildcat defenders. McCrary, returning to
the lineup after a shoulder injury, scored the first touchdown
of the game on a 36 yard option-pitch play from Standifer. He
used his scatback style of running and raced untouched down
the right sideline.
“We’ve got some tough backs,” said Standifer, “and the line
ranks among the best in the conference. They did a helluva
job.”
But as has been the case this season, it’s the defensive that
has provided the offense with opportunities to put points on
the scoreboard. They’ve demolished opposing quarterbacks
and company. Against Fort Valley, they had six sacks for 75
yards. If you’re not familiar with the Crunch Bunch, it s time
you got to know who these reckless hitters are.
Charles Cheeks, outstanding defensive player in the clas-
Continued on page 8
Charles Cheeks, (88), the Textile Classic’s “Defensive
Player of the Game,” is surrounded by Robert Wright
(76) and Dwellie Hynes (79). In background, teammates
express exuberance with victorious hand signals.
(Photo by Rudy Cohen)
Intramurals at Clark Can Bring Unity
By Bruce Heard
PANTHER Reporter
Most people feel that exercis
ing is important; but few have
the motivation to actually
exercise. One aspect of exercise
is intramural sports. In
tramural sports provide
competition among students of
the same college. A student
usually does not have to be
highly skilled to compete. In
tramural sports provide
spirited competition and
recreation in such games as
basketball, flag or touch foot
ball, cross-country, swimming,
badminton, volleyball, tennis,
ping pong, wrestling, weight
lifting, handball and cards.
Intramural teams are
generally formed by student
clubs, fraternities,
dormitories, classes and
student groups. At Clark
College, the Physical
Education Department’s fall
line up for sport activities are
three man basketball,
volleyball, flag football and
cross-country.
To help you appreciate in
tramural sports the following
interviews were taken from
people around te A.U. Center:
Diana Taylor soph.
Spelman, “I feel that in
tramural sports are good
because it gives the girls and
guys that don’t want to take
sports that seriously a chance
to play.
Coach James E. Nix, in
tramural director, Morehouse,
feels the purpose for in
tramural sports is to provide
students with a format type
physical outlet because
everyone can not participate
on the varsity level.
Commenting on
participation of students in in
tramural sports, Coach Nix
states that Morehouse has 22
teams taking part in flag foot
ball; 26 teams in basketball
and 32 participants in singles
and doubles tennis
tournaments. Nix doesn’t limit
his program to Morehouse
students but also competes
against such teams as
Metropolitan, Prudential, Gulf
and the Atlanta Police
Department. This way seniors
taking part in the games can
establish connections with
people in the working world as
well as better relationships
between students and the
“men in the blue.” After all, it’s
not just what you know but
who you know.
Debra Bell, Freshman,
Morris * Brown, “I feel in
tramural sports are necessary
because it gives people with
plenty of free time some
method of involvement.”
Mykol Williams, Freshman,
Clark, “I think intramurals
are essential because it
promotes a form of unity and
competition among other
student members. It also helps
to communicate a feeling of
friendship among people.
Sports are something people
can rally around and believe
in.'”
Brown Takes Lead
On Field and Off
By Thomas A. Torrence
PANTHER Staff Writer
Watching Mark Brown,
Clark’s rangy defensive end
perform his unique brand of
mayhem on opposing
quarterbacks and running
backs, it’s hard to believe that
this 6-3, 210 pound hunk of
solid muscle could have ever
been shy.
But is’s true. According to
Brown, he was shy, quiet, and,
as he put it, a “very closed
person.” That was three years
ago. Now the senior mass com-
mumications major is anyth
ing but a a wallflower.
In addition to being captain
of the football team, Brown is
also the president of the C-
Club (an athletic organization)
and is regarded by many of his
peers as one of the school’s
leaders.
It’s on the football field,
however, where Brown at
tracts the most attention. An
all-SIAC selection his
freshman and junior years,
Brown is considered a definite
pro propect by many profes
sional scouts.
And Brown is interested in
playing professional football.
“I will play for anybody that
will play me and that will need
my talent,” he said. “If I don’t
make it in the pros I will go into
the service and play service
ball.”
Brown, an Atlanta native,
and a member of the 1974 state
champion Southwest High
team, feels the signing of ’78
Clark graduate Walter
Landers will boost his chances
of getting drafted.
“The athletic program is the
backbone of the institution
that carries one. We definitely
need it (publicity). When you
think of UCLA and Southern
Cal, the first.thing you think of
is the football program even
though they have an excellent
academic background.”
“Clark’s athletic program,
particularly the football team,
is not too bad either,” says
Brown. “I feel the attitude is
one of everyone pulling in one
direction. This is the most
unified team, since I've been
here. They definitely have
championship potential.”
Co-Captain Mark Brown of
the Clark Football Pan
thers. (Photo by Tvraun
Patterson)