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Page 4 The Panther November 17, 1978 Champs Seek Bowl Nod By Charles Anderson Panther Sports Editor Nothing would be more fitting for Clark’s football team than to wrap up regular season play with a win over Morris Brown on “Turkey Day,” something the Panthers haven’t been able to do in recent years. ‘ ‘For some reason, we just can’t beat them,” lamented coach Jesse McClardy. Morris Brown is beatable. Look what happened to them against Florida A & M (56-0) and Alabama A & M (36-0). You’d expect Morris Brown to receive a thorough licking from a powerhouse like FAMU, “But we could give them (FAMU) a better game,” said McClardy, whose team is seeking a bowl bid. “We don’t want to look past Morris Brown though. They’re going to be tough and ready to play,” he said. That doesn’t mean McClardy and company wouldn’t want a crack at FAMU, perhaps in a playoff game. Clark is the Division II Champions and FAMU is Division I Champs in the SIAC (Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). The main reason for the Panthers’ success has been the Crunch Bunch, my tag for the defensive unit. Dallas has the “Doomsday Defense.” Denver has the “Orange Crush.” And Minnesota has the “Purple People Eaters.” So why not the Crunch Bunch. They’ve helped to keep the Panthers’ seven game winning streak alive. By the way, those seven straight wins have putClark in the news more this year. It seems The Atlanta Journal and The Atlanta Constitution feel the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech still “represent a larger scope of readers.’’That’s what Journal sports writer, Bill Bryant said. Maybe so. But what was Bryant’s excuse when he repeatedly misspelled the names of Clark’s coach and players? In a Sept. 29 article, Bryant called McClardy, “McClarity,” running back (Charles) Metts, “Mince,” and linebacker (Larue) Letson, “Lester.” Bryant claimed he didn’t have a roster. Any reputablei reporter would have double checked “Charlie Mac”Kicks 'em High The Crunch Bunch has gotten a lot of help from punter Charles McPherson, whose booming punts have kept op posing teams in poor field position. He looks like a ballet dancer. His right leg stretched high above his head, his arms extended in front of his body, and back slightly bent. Actually McPherson, 6-4, 240 pounds, isn’t quite as graceful as a ballet dancer. But dancing’s not his strong point. Punting is. McPherson’s towering punts were crucial in Clark’s 31-29 homecoming triumph over Savannah State Oct. 21. “It’s a defensive weapon,” McPherson said of his punting. “It tires a team out when you can kick it deep.” McPherson, who leads Division III in punting with a 48.8 yard average, can do a lot of other things well too. He caught three passes from his tight end position for 5»yards, kicked a 27 yard field goal, and added four extra points. The most spec tacular reception of the game was made by McPherson, a one- handed grab for a 13 yard gain late in the third quarter. That catch eventually set up his 27 yard field goal giving Clark a 24- 22 lead. “I wasn’t supposed to be kicking field goals and extra points,” said McPherson, “but we were having trouble with our place kicking. The coaches knew I could handle the job.” McClardy still feels McPherson could be a whole lot better. “He’s a fine athlete,” said the coach. “Charles is beginning to realize his potential as an athlete. He can catch the ball and we’re going to throw to him more. Charles is a nice asset for anybody — anybody who wants to win.” Unsung Heroes The Panthers didn’t win the title for the first time since 1974 on the performance of one individual. You’d have to obtain a roster and go one by one down the list. You always hear about Dwellie Hynes, Kenneth Standifer, Mark Brown, Phillip McCrary, and Charles Cheeks. Rarely do you hear of Phillip Goff, a freshman safety, who, in his first game against Savannah State, picked off two passes that set up scores; or Jerome White, Hynes’ replacement in the last two ball games. According to McClardy, Hynes, who slightly injured his knee in the Knoxville game, is going to have to show he really wants his job back, because White has been playing superbly. “Dwellie’s not just going to come back and assume his job because he’s had it,” said the coach. On offense, it’s been running backs Johnny Richards, Frank Walker, and Charles Metts carrying the pigskin up field en route to many touchdowns. Richards was the hero against Albany State Nov. 4, scoring two touchdowns, one with 1:16 left in the game to give Clark a dramatic come-from- behind 14-13 victory. Then there’s the offensive line, anchored by tackle Lamar Smith. “If I had to pick an all-conference tackle.it would be Lam#r,” said McClardy. Charles McPherson, (85) is about to boot one against Albany St. (Photo by Jerome Gwinn) Renfro Scores for Blacks By Kent Hindsman There are few men who emerge into the mainstream of American life and engrave their success story into the hearts of thousands of Atlan tans. However, every once in a while, an individual emerges with a remarkable character and does just such. WIGO sportscaster Othello “Chico” Renfro is such a man. Renfro was born in Newark, N.J. in 1923 and later moved to Jacksonville. He later came to Atlanta, where he played a couple of years of football at Booker T. Washington High School. After graduating from : high school, he decided to join the U.S. Navy, rather than accept a scholarship to college. Upon returning from the service, he entered Clark College where he made the small college All America team. During the summer months he played professional baseball in the black minor leagues. He signed a contract with the Kansas City Monarchs and gave up his eligibility as a college football player. “I never regretted giving up college for baseball. I loved baseball, that was my life and I loved every moment of those years as a pro,” Renfro said. Renfro also played profes sional baseball in Honolulu where he became the “Jackie Robinson” of the Hawaiian Islands. He was the first black to play professional sports in that state and went on to play twelve years of professional baseball in the minor leagues before retiring. After his retirement from baseball, Renfro began a career as a sportscaster in the Atlanta area, a career which has spanned over a twelve year period. Renfro is also a sports writer for the Atlanta Daily World and hosts a T.V. program, “Chico’s Whistle”on WTCG. Also, Renfro broke another racial barrier by becoming the first black of ficial scorer in major league baseball. Belt Officiates (Photo by Lens News Service) By Feltcher Peacock Panther Staff Writer When Valerie Belt throws her yellow flag, fellows, you better believe it doesn’t mean caution. It means FOUL PLAY!!! Ms. Belt is in her first year of membership with the Capitol City Officiating Association, calling the games on the field and on the court. Ms. Belt, a native Atlantan and senior physical education major at Clark, says she has been involved in sports since her early childhood years. “I used to live right across the street from a park and I used to spend a lot of time there. I guess that’s how I got so in volved in sports,” she said. There’s no doubt that Ms. Belt knows the rules of the game. She said she drills every Monday to go over the rules and regulations of basketball and football. She also played for her high school basketball team as well as two years for the Clark College Pan- therettes. Unfortunately, she hasn’t been able to play lately because of her part time job with Atlanta’s Bureau of Parks and Recreation. A very personable young lady with a smile you’d never expect to find on a football field, the 20-year-old referee said it’s not always easy to control her emotions on the field. “I had to keep myself in check when I ran the chains at the Clark vs. Albany State game. I found myself rooting for Clark.” Ms. Belt said, “There is a big misconception that physical education is an easy major but that’s not true. Many people are not qualified for the field.” She said there is a definite need for more women in this area. She knows of only five other females at Clark ma joring in physical education.