Newspaper Page Text
Sports
Sunday, November 29, 1987
Mike
Webber
Sports Editor
Falcons limping,
don’t call Miller
The Atlanta Falcons are 2-8 and going nowhere
fast. It may or may not be time for owner Rankin
Smith Sr. to push the panic button.
Smith has already been quoted as saying head
coach Marion Campbell’s job is safe. He said the
same thing about former coaches Leeman Ben
nett and Dan Henning. This is Campbell’s second
time around as head coach. Once before Smith
told Campbell his position was secure.
It’s no time to think about once again changing
coaches. I’m not suggesting anything of the sort
should happen.
When a football team is losing, and Atlanta has
plenty of practice in that department, usually two
things can happen. (1) Smith can once again play
the musical coaching game or (2) bring in that
high-priced rookie quarterback.
Pushing the panic botton is one thing but ruin
ing a good quarterback is another.
The player in question is 6-foot-2, 200-pound
Chris Miller.
The season still has six games remaining and
already fans have begun asking when Miller will
be used.
There’s at least one good reasons why this rook
ie shouldn’t be thrown to the wolves. Remember
Steve Bartkowski? He received the golden brace
award for quarterbacks having the most knee
injuries.
Enough said on that subject.
Obviously Miller has a strong arm. At the Uni
versity of Oregon, he set 13 passing records previ
ously held by Dan Fouts and Bob Berry. His
throwing arm was accurate enough in college
that he was also a shortstop in the Seattle Mari
ners baseball organization.
He may be the best Pacific-10 Conference to
come along in nearly 20 years. Miller was good
enough to become the first Pac-10 quarterback
since Jim Plunkett (1969-70). He was also good
enough that the Minnesota Vikings, Los Angeles
Raiders and Chicago Bears considered him.
Miller had 18 200-yard passing games, and ac
counted for 49 touchdowns (42 passing), in col
lege. Following his senior year Miller was named
the Most Valuable Player in the Hula Bowl. He
was also named the North’s most valuable player
in the Senior Bowl following three touchdown
passes.
There’s no doubt Miller is good. In this case
stastics don’t lie.
Watching him throw tight spirals reminds one
of Bartkowski. The two played their college foot
ball within shouting distance of the Pacific, Bart
kowski at California and Miller at Oregon.
Both were taken in the first round by Atlanta.
Both were also selected by a Campbell regime.
You don’t want both careers to follow the same
track. Time was Bartkowski possessed one of the
league’s strongest and most accurate arms. His
protection, among the league’s weakest, bounced
Bartkowski around like a bowling pin. In the end
he was pass-rush timid.
You wouldn’t wish the same for Miller.
This young quarterback may or may not be
ready. You remember he was late signing. You
can credit that botched catch to the Atlanta front
office.
He didn’t report to training camp. He didn’t
even begin the season with Atlanta. It was nearly
six months later settled on a million dollar con
tract and reported. Miller may also be a genius,
but two weeks may not be enough time for him to
learn the system.
Maybe he does have the tools and the talent.
Football teams don’t win on the strength of one
individual. What he doesn’t have at this time is a
strong football team for support.
Allowing other quarterbacks to play, and finish
out the season, seems like a smarter move. Scott
Campbell appears to be doing an admirable job
under extreme circumstances. David Archer,
starter when the season began, is available. Erik
Kramer, the North Carolina quarterback who
won the position during the strike, is also
available.
It’s not like Miller is here for the short run ei
ther. Miller signed for $2.8 million. In return he
agreed to wear a Falcon uniform for at least the
next five years.
The Falcon defense has allowed 137 points in its
last four games. Not even a super human effort
from Miller can generate enough numbers to res
cue the Falcons from these conditions.
The Atlanta offensive line has allowed 16 sacks
the last four games. Those are not exactly the
conditions one would want to give a rookie during
his first NFL start.
Playing Miller isn’t in the team’s best interest,
not now anyway. Starting a rookie quarterback in
the NFL is like throwing a babe to the wolves.
Only time will tell if Miller is to be a great
quarterback. He has talent and time on his side.
Hunting safety
class is offered
The Georgia State Game and Fish Commission
wiU instruct Hunter safety courses, Dec. 7 and 9,
at Cumming City Park. The courses are on the
proper handling of firearms and safe hunting
The Dec. 7 course will be held from 5:30-9 p.m..
The Dec 9 course is set for 6:00-9 p.m. Each par
ticiDant must attend both nights, plus take a
Hunter Safety Exam on Dec. 9. There is no cost
for registering. This course is open to anyone
horn on or after Jan. 1, 1961.
To pre-register, call Billie Redd (887-5655) at
Cumming City Park
fj
Coach feels victory
is held in numbers
By Mike Webber
Sports Editor
The number 13 may be shunned be
cause of its many superstitions, but to
Phil Moore it is a good luck charm.
The head basketball coach at North
Forsyth made his own rcundball history
13 years ago on a Friday the 13th. Moore,
a basketball star at Dawson County High
School, scored 50 points against Banks
County to break the school’s single game
scoring record. At the time, Moore was
wearing his number 13 jersey.
With that much luck following Moore,
it’s no wonder his ninth grade team is
one of the best in the county. Last year,
the Wildcats won the ninth grade cham
pionship and after an opening night, 57-
30 victory, it’s obvious the team is gun
ning for another trophy.
Associated with the school ever since
its inception seven years ago, Moore
may qualify as the local basketball au
thority. In his glory days, there was no
better guard around than the 5-10 Moore.
“I was a shooting guard,” he said with
a quip.
After his 50-point night against Banks
County, Moore beat that record by
punching through 57 points playing in
Duluth’s old gymnasium.
Basketball runs through the blood of
the Moore family. Ruby Moore, an aunt,
was a player for Dawson County in 1962.
Uncles Hugh and Jimmy Moore were
also former players in Dawsonville.
Younger brother Chuck competes on the
same church team. The Moore basket
,W , W
'HQ a
i •
j
Moore, Dawn and Zachary
Comeback complete
N. Forsyth ninth-graders lead way as school takes three from North Habersham
By Mike Webber
Sports Editor
The North Forsyth ninth grade boys continued kept
its record perfect (2-0) last Tuesday, defeating North
Habersham, 59-55. The eighth grade girls, thanks to
Julie Carnes’ last-minute basket, took a close 23-22 de
cision. It was the win for the girls this season.
The other two teams weren’t as fortunate. The won
took two of four from North Habersham. The ninth
91 * "Ih iMiP I UICL. uyßuHs
& \ v
North Forsyth eighth grade head coach Don Westray talks to team during timeout
Forsvth County News
ball line keeps on going. Last year Phil
coached uncle Hugh’s son, Russell, at
North Forsyth.
“Needless to say, basketball is my first
love,” said Moore, who also wore num
ber 13 in baseball. “I guess I never took
time to think about it. I just loved to play
basketball.”
Following his high school days, Moore
was a scholarship player for North Geor
gia College in Dahlonega. Moore’s points
helped the Saints and head coach Bill
Ensley, who has a winning tradition at
North Georgia.
Moore is trying to establish tradition
at North Forsyth. If there’s something
more important than playing the game,
it’s the opportunity to coach and work
with others, said Moore.
He is one talented player to successful
ly make the transition to coaching. To
date Moore’s ninth grade team is unde
feated (2-0). His Wildcats are also de
fending champion of the Forsyth County
tournament.
“I don’t know so much about the
coaching,” added Moore. “We’ve been
fortunate to have some good athletes.
They’re good kids who enjoy sports and
work hard.”
Moore’s first love may be basketball,
but he’s turned into a pretty fair football
coach. When football coordinator Jim
Bishop stepped aside this past fall,
Moore was named to take over. Previ
ously he had been head coach of the
school’s eighth grade team.
“Basketball is one thing, football is an
other,” said Moore, a physical education
teacher. “I admit I’ve had to work hard
er to leam about football. It doesn’t mat
ter what you are doing, as long as you’re
working and helping young people.
“I feel good about being able to get
along with parents and working with
young people,” he said. “You need to
give young people some credit. Working
with them has enabled me to understand
and help them. I love to coach and work
with others, that’s something which is
important.”
Moore has a special interest in young
people. He and his wife Dawn have a
son, Zachary, almost 2. When the hus
band, parent and teacher, feels a need
for competition he gets it with the
church basketball leagues. As a member
of Concord Baptist Church, he competes
in the church leagues. Several team
mates once played for Forsyth County
High School.
When coaching Moore teaches his
team a disciplined style of the game, not
just run and gun. Moore knows that
there is a time for work, and a time for
play.
grade girls lost 29-25, as did the eighth grade boys, 28-
21.
It was the second straight victory by Phil Moore’s
ninth-graders. On Nov. 20 it opened the season, beating
Dawson County, 57 30. The victory was a direct turn
around for the eighth grade Lady Wildcats, which lost
to Dawson County (43-14) in the opener.
Unlike its opener, the eighth grade girls found a way
to win. Finding itself down 12-4 at halftime, North For
syth scored 12 points in the fourth quarter.
—■’’’ —'ll TIP I
mm
— Li V
Phil Moore knows it takes points to win basketball games
North Forsyth scored 12 in the fourth quarter to win.
Carnes led the way with 10 points. Teammate Jessica
Martin scored eight.
The ninth grade boys had a close call at North
Habersham.
“It was a real barn bamer”, said Moore. “We’re 2-0
at this point, and that’s good to see. The main thing is
we played well away from home.”
Unlike its opening night victory, North Forsyth had to
work for this one. North Habersham held five-point, 14-
9 lead, after the first quarter. Moore’s squad still
trailed 31-23 at halftime.
Even though the Wildcats tied the score a 23-23 in the
second quarter, it trailed 43-31 in the third. The ninth
grade squad won the third and fourth quarter battles,
22-15 and 14-9.
“We never quit trying,” said Moore. “They showed
me a lot of confidence in winning the close game on the
road. I was pleased so see us come back, especially
playing in another gym.”
It was a game North Forsyth never led until waning
moments. Kevin Mundy’s layup, in the last minute,
gave his team a 57-55 lead. Jamie Stewart gave his
team its final four point margin on a layup.
Mundy was the offensive comeback key, with 14 of his
20 points coming in the second half. Jamie Stewart was
also a factor with 14 points and nine rebounds. Robert
Horn, with 12, became the third Wildcat in double fig
ures. He also played an important role under the back
boards, pulling down a team high 10 rebounds. Scott
Castleberry, with nine, nearly made it four players in
double figures.
Casey Martin’s four points also turned out to be vital
for the Wildcats.
The ninth grade girls barely lost to North
Habersham.
“We played good hard game, we just ran short at the
buzzer,” said head coach Jerry Smith. “We didn’t play
that bad a game.”
Brandi Bennett led North Forsyth with 13 points. Al
ice Holcomb pitched in with six more, while Tammmi
Thompson (four), Jennifer Hughes (one) and Lisa Sla
ton (one) also scored.
The eighth grade boys nearly caught North Haber
sham. Trailing 24-19, Brad Gilbert was fouled while
hitting a layup. He missed the ensuing free throw and
North Habersham quickly converted.
The North Forsyth offense was limited, as it only
scored nine field goals in the game.
The Wildcats overcame a 19-8, third quarter deficit,
winning the fourth in 13-9 style. Chad Jones paced the
North Forsyth offensive attack with nine points. Gilbert
scored seven, all of which came in the fourth quarter.
Tripp Brackett (three) and Shane Fields (two), also
scored for the Wildcats. Fields also pitched in with 12
rebounds, 10 of which came on the defensive side.
1B