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The Panther November 3, 1978 Phillip McCrary (21) races past Savannah State defense. (Photo by Jerome Gwinn) McCrary Ignites Panthers Fuse By Charles Anderson Panther Sports Editor and Thomas Torrence PANTHER Staff Writer Most people would think that a 5-8, 170 pound running back who spends most of his time avoiding giant linemen in that No Man’s Land known as the line of scrimmage would run into all kinds of problems. But not Phillip McCrary. McCrary, Clark’s speedy tailback and kick returner, believes being small has some good points. “In a way it’s an advantage to be small, mainly because I can hid behind the big (offen sive) linemen. I try never to give anyone a good shot at me. I turn my body and twist a certain way.’’ Indeed, this twisting and turning has led to many long gains for the Griffin native, who last year led the nation Division II') in punt returns with a 27.8 average and kickoff returns with a 29.8 average. This season, however, McCrary is not limited to special team duty. Due to a lack of depth in the offensive backfield, McCrary was asked to play tailback by his coach, Jesse McClardy in the Fort Valley game. “The coach asked me to play tailback, and I did,” said the soft-spoken McCrary. “It’s the first time I’ve played tailback. I’m used to running to the out side. It was a little different running up the middle.” McCrary seems to have taken the conversion in stride. So much so, in fact that he has attracted the attention of many professional scouts: the Cincinnati Benegals, San Diego Chargers, New York Giants and the Wahsington Redskins. And McCrary is quite interested in joining his brother, Greg, a tight end for the San Diego Chargers, ip the professional ranks. Ten additional years in school? Can such a thing be possible for someone who spent as much time cutting classes in elementary school as he attended them? “If I don’t get selected in the draft, I will still go as a free agent. Scouts 5 try and catch you by surprise, off guard. I know they’re watching. “If I don’t go pro I’ll probably go to cosmotology school. From there I would like to go to grad school and then dental school. I plan to be in school for the next ten years. “I didn’t start liking school until sixth grade,” admitted McCrary, an elementary education and physical therapy major. “I hated school. I realized the value and importance (of school).” McCrary also discovered that playing football could be fun. With a little prodding from brother Greg, Phillip reluc tantly learned the game. “I used to have a lot of friends running around play ing football,” recalled McCrary. My brother used to wonder why I never would play. He used to see me with a (baseball) bat all the time. So he used to give me bumps and bruises and tell me to get out there (and play).” Well, McCrary “got out there” and picked up the nuances of football and baseball so well that he was an all star player at both sports at Griffin High School, and received an offer to play profes- sional baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies. Instead, McClardy opted to play foot ball for Clark, and Panther coach McClardy realizes the tailback’s value. “On the field,” says McClardy, ‘‘he’s like dynamite. He knows how to control his fuse.” Panthers Clinche SIAC Title By FLETCHER PEACOCK The Clark College Panthers edged to win their first SIAC title since 1974, after a trium phant 7-6 defeat over AUC rivals, the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. The Panther’s defeat over the Tigers clinches the SIAC Division B championship for Clark. After four minutes of play in the second quarter, a turn over by Morehouse, after a bad snap from center on a punting attempt, set up Clark’s win ning touchdown. From the 19 yard line of Morehouse, Panther quarterback Kenny Standifer hit wide receiver Phillip McCrary for the TD pass. With less than six minutes left in the game, Morehouse scored on a 48 yard run by quarterback Arthur Williams, but was unable to tie the game after missing the extra point conversion. The Panther victory pushes their overall record to 6-1 and their SIAC record to 6-0. The victory also gives the Panthers their sixth straight win over the Tigers. Panther Scoreboard 8 Miles 14 Clark Clark 23 Lane 6 Clark 14 Fort Valley 0 Clark 21 Fisk 6 Clark 23 Knoxville 0 Savannah State 29 Clark 31 Morehouse 6 Clark Panther Co-captain Lemar Smith (74) presents Homecoming Queen Catherine Edward with game ball during Clark vs. Savannah State half-time activities. Ms. Catherine Edwards, Miss Clark College 1978.