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Sports Phil Clark v Recent NFL draft produces no surprises National Football League teams prodded through the recently concluded draft of college players with extreme caution. It was the so-called 'salary cap draft.' Teams must be careful not to draft players they won't be able to sign under the salary cap restrictions. There were, therefore, few surprises in the draft. The most noticeable fact about the draft is the exclusion of Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward of Florida State. Let me say this. Ward was not overlooked because of a lack of ability. He simply had not decided between basketball and football, and teams just can’t afford to gamble on him in the football draft. Ward had said he wanted to concentrate on just one sport. He said after the draft that the decision on which sport had apparently been made for him. "Maybe I'll be the first Heisman trophy winner to play in the NBA”, Ward was heard to say. It came as no surprise that Ohio State defensive lineman Dan Wilkinson went as the number one pick by Cincinnati. He was, as a sophmore, the best player available, regardless of whether the Bengals’ most desparate need was in the defensive line. And the Colts' selection of San Diego State running back Marshall Faulk as the second pick also raised no eyebrows. He, too, was a legitimate choice. And Indianapolis, like Cincinnati, needs help wherever they can get it. As expected, Heath Shuler of Tennessee was the first quarterback selected, the number three pick overall by Washington. The Redskins also need help, and with Mark Ripien slowed to a crawl, quarterback was a critical position for the 'Skins. The salary cap is another story. Already, Cincinnati is offering Wilkinson a deal that’s about half a million less than Steve Emtman got from the Colts in 1992, and a million less than last years' number one pick, Drew Bledsoe, got from New England. Whether the Bengals can sign Wilkinson will be interesting. Since NFL owners made some moves last month to put more offense into the game, coaches apparently were trying to strike back during the draft. 106 defensive players were chosen, and many coaches said the reason is that defensive players most often can play sooner than offensive players. In fact, 16 of the first 29 picks went for defensive players, ten of the first thirteen. The Atlanta Falcons did not have a first round pick. They had traded it to the Colts for quarterback Jeff George. The Falcons also later traded future draft choices for 33- year-old defensive lineman Chris Dolman of the Vikings. Dolman, though 33, is one of the best pass rushers in the league. The Falcons need that desparately. But the best pick they made could have come later in the draft when they got Georgia linebacker Mitch Davis. He is a quality football player. He played outside linebacker at Georgia, but is projected as an inside backer with the Falcons. Other state players chosen in the draft include Georgia offensive tackle Bernard Williams by Philadelphia in the first round, Georgia Tech offensive tackle Gary Brown and running back Dorsey Eevens, both in the fifth round and Georgia running back Frank Hai vev in the seventh. And by the way, the omission of Ward in the draft marked the first time in 39 years the Heisman trophy winner was passed over. That year, Pete Dawkins of the Army was not drafted because of his military obligation. Of course, Dawkins made a career of the military, retiring with the rank of general. So maybe things will work out well for Ward. Westfield looks to start of playoffs By PHIL CLARK Special to the HTJ Westfield Coach Bert Brown said, "it could be a letdown, losing our last two games by lopsided score, but I don't think so. We had already clinched second in our region, and the games with Stratford and Southland wouldn’t help or hurt us. We would have liked to win, but we didn't, so we'll focus our attention on Terrell Tuesday.” Tuesday, that's when the GISA playoffs begin. By virture of finishing second in region 2AAA, the Hornets have the home field for the first round, facing region 3AAA third place finished Terrell Academy. Brown said, "Terrell is not a very strong team, so we feel pretty good about Tuesday’s game." In the final game of die regular season Thursday afternoon out at the Hornet's Nest, the Southland Raiders used a nine-run fourth inning to defeat the Hornets 13-7, dropping the regular season record to 7-14. All of the wins came in region 2AAA. After Justin Johnson opened the game with a single off Hornets starter Troy Nuss, the senior right hander struck out Rhett Simmons and Chris Castleberry and it looked like the locals would get out of the inning without giving up a run. But cleanup hitter Rob Fletcher drilled a long double scoring Johnson, and before the dust had setded in the inning, the Raiders had put four runs on the board to take a quick lead, one which they never gave up. The Hornets almost caught up in their half of the first, though. Matt Shepley led off with a double off freshman starter Chad Carter. After Thad Hawk drew a walk, Nuss hit a long home run over the left field fence to cut the lead 4-3, but after a Hornet golfers prepare for state tourney .JP I % S •* jAhLJ Ejubr Hr Members of the Westfield golf team are (kneeling) Robert Harrison, (standing, l-r) Scott Hill, Keith Davis, coach Marvin Arrington, and Ed Strickland. They are holding the GISA Region 2AAA championship trophy. Jenifer Smith paces Lady Hornet thinclad team in region By VETO F. ROLEY Staff Writer Jenifer Smith led the Westfield girl's track team to a second place finish in the Region 2AAA GISA track meet in Macon Tuesday after noon. While women's track coach Donna Campbell said she was dis appointed in the finish of the team Perry finishes third in region golf meet By VETO F. ROLEY Staff Writer The Perry golf season came to a disappointing end Tuesday at Hous ton Lake Country Club with a third place finish. After warming up for the region championship with a 149 at Hous ton Lake last week, the Perry golfers had an inconsistent Tuesday. "We've had it (inconsistency) all year," said Tony Thrift, head coach for the Perry Panthers. "A week ear lier, we shot our best nine hole match.. "It's very disappointing," said Thrift. "We felt like it (the tourna ment) being at our place, we would have a chance. "We knew Ware County would be tough to beat. But, we felt like we had a real good chance at second place. "But, we didn't rise to the occa Lon Talton single, Carter got the side out without further damage. The game stayed that way until the fourth, although Westfield had a scoring opportunity in the second. Lance Watson led off the inning with a base on balls and Greg Adams followed with a single. After Shepley flied out to left field, Hawk's grounder was bobbled by the thirdbaseman, loading the bases. Nuss hit a twisting line drive down the third baseline that looked like a hit all the way, but leftfielder Rob Fletcher made a brilliant running catch and doubled Watson off third to end the inning. Brown took the blame for the play at third, saying he sent Watson because he, like everybody else, thought the ball would drop for a hit The fourth inning was a disaster for Westfield as the Raiders sent fourteen batters to the plate, getting seven hits, one walk, three Hornet errors and nine runs to put the game away although Westfield did come back in the fifth to score four times making the final score 13-7. The game was called after five innings to allow the B-teams time to play their game. The Raiders scored their thirteen runs on thirteen hits, eleven of them singles. Westfield got just six hits off two Raider pitchers, including doubles by Shepley, Brian Staines and Jeff Dehem and Nuss' home run. Bari Brown got the win for Southland, replacing starter Chad Carter after Carter left with a sore arm after one inning. Nuss took the loss for the Hornets. Brown said he’ll start Lon Talton Tuesday against Terrell. Gametime is at 4 p.m. at the Hornets Nest. The Hornets will be without starting catcher Sheldon Shelton for the playoffs. since they lost to Tattnall, a team they have beaten three times in other meets this year, she added that the Hornet thinclads "had their best times, best jumps and best throws. It was a super team effort." Smith was named the high point woman in the field, getting 34 points for the Hornets. She took home first place finishes in the sion. That's it. Now, we are get ting ready for spring football.” Thrift said that if his team shot closer to a 320, he would have felt Graffiti improves to 3-0 By JOHN SIMPSON Special to the HTJ Graffiti Hair Salon posted one of the highest run totals in league his tory, and Pennington 111 Plumbing dialed in their first win of the early season, in match-ups Thursday in girl's junior softball action at Ochlahatchee Park. The Graffiti girls plated nine runs in three of five innings cnroute to a 36-11 win over First Family Finance. Backed by a strong defen sive effort, Pennington 111 charted a 14-6 decision over Family Footwear. \ Houston Times-Journal mk -*wk I f|" - >v i jHh| 18 | Jake Walls prepares to throw a pitch against Stratford Wednesday atternoon in a losing effort. long jump, 100 meter dash, and 400 meter dash. She was also a member of the 400 meter and 1600 meter relay teams, which won first place. In addition to Smith, the 400 meter relay team, which won first with a time of 54.93 seconds, is composed of Stephanie Barr, Jenifer Lane and Amy Rhodes. For the better about the match. "I felt we were going to have to shoot under 320 to finish second. Getting beat Please see Perry, page 10A Alicia Powell and Elizabeth Rosner were recognized for their play for Pennington 111, while Fam ily Footwear credited Kalah McCoy and Hilary Hagwood. Rachel Wryc and Katie Chapman were singled out for their play on Graffiti, as were First Family players Casey Murman and Michelle Vest. Graffiti improved its record to 3- 0 on the year, while Pennington 111 improved to 1-2. First Family dropped to 2-1, as Family Footwear still searches for its first win after three attempts. Please see Graffiti . Dane 10A Saturday, Apr! 30. 1994 Houston Times -Journal By VETO F. ROLEY Staff Writer The Hornets had a bad day on the course; but, they accomplished what they set out to do with a Thursday match at the Twin Cities Golf Course in Sandersville. Although Westfield shot an un characteristic 322, they finished only five strokes behind Southland, which finished in first by five strokes. Brentwood, which was playing on its home course, shot a 342. "None of the teams played near what they are capable of," said Hor net head coach Marvin Arrington. In region matches held before Thursday's matches, Southland had shot a 300, Westfield a 307 and Brentwood a 313. "The weather was good and the course was in good shape," said Ar rington. "But, the scores were not that good." Twin Cities is the site of the Georgia Independent School Asso ciation AAA state tournament, which will be played Monday. "The purpose was to go and play the state course," said Arrington, whose 1600 meter relay team, Amy Harold replaced Lane. Other top finishers included Julee Fryer, who finished third in the shot put, Mary Catherine Walker, who finished first in the 1600 meters, Harold who finished, second in the 400 meters and Claire Hart, who finished third in the 300 meter hurdles. The men’s team finished fourth in the region, sending seven thin clads to state qualifying at Tattnall today. Lon Talton had the only first place finish for the men, taking the honors in the 800 meter dash. Nathan Greer and Brad Walton had strong showings for the Hor nets in the pole vault. Greer was second with a vault of 10 feet even, Stephens rests at home Perry High School athletic direc tor and head football coach John Stephens is at home doing well three weeks after having neck surgery on April 11. Stephens had to undergo neck surgery as a result of injuries suf fered in an auto accident following football season. "I'm doing pretty good," said Stephens Friday morning. "I’m get ting a little stir crazy. "Everything has gone extremely wcl*," said Stephens, adding that ■4 page 7A team will play a practice round Sunday at the course, one day be fore the state tournament. "We did what we set out to do," said Arrington. "I really think Monday we will be ready to play." Ed Strickland was the low scorer for the Hornets with a round of 75—just one stroke off Brentwood's Brandon Coffs low score of 74. Todd Rigdon was the only other Westfield player to shoot in the 70s, coming into the clubhouse with a 77. Scott Hill finished the day with an 83, while Keith Davis finished the round with an 87. Larry Thom son also played, finishing the day with a 93. The Hornets will end their 1994 season with the state tournament. "It (the state championship) is within reach," said Arrington. 'We're going up Monday and give it our best shot. It's all on the line." while Walton finished third. Greer also picked up points in the 400 meter relay, joining Brian Staines, Jeff Dortch and Matt Shep ley for a third place finish. Shepley also picked up points in two events, taking third in the 100 meter dash. Westin Ekey took fourth in the discus throw. "We ran our best times of the year,” said track coach Larry Ben nett. "If you are not the fastest, you are not the fastesL You can only do as good as you can do. "I’m pretty well pleased," said Bennett, who noted he had 19 run ners at the region match. "We com peted in every event, which is something that we didn't do last year. We pretty much did what we did all year." there is no permanent injury from the accident. "The only place that I’ve had any trouble is from where they took the bone in my hip," said Stephens. "I've not had any trouble with my neck, although it is still very ten der.” Stephens added that he has re ceived a lot of support from the Perry community since his opera tion. "I am very impressed by the concern and support shown by peo ple in the community."