MULDONG'S INTERCEPTIONS PACE G.W.
Publication:
Published: 10/04/1986
Page: P1B
Headline: MULDONG'S INTERCEPTIONS PACE G.W.
Byline: JOHN MAWYER
In almost every instance in sports, the team that makes the
most mistakes loses the game.
And for the Nitro Wildcats Friday night, this statement
certainly held true.
George Washington converted three Wildcat turnovers into scores
as the Patriots rolled over Nitro 22-10 at Laidley Field. The
triumph was a homecoming victory and broke a two-game losing streak
GW's Dean Muldong
intercepted two Nitro passes and returned them
both for touchdowns in pacing the Patriot defense. He got his first
interception with less than two minutes remaining in the first half
and ran 30 yards for a score to give the Patriots a 16-3 halftime
lead. His second touchdown came with 2:19 left in the third quarter
as raced 31 yards for a score.
The 5-8, 164-pound junior impressed GW head coach Jay Folden.
"Dean certainly made two big plays for us tonight. He's a good
athlete who has a nose for the football and both of those
interceptions were outstanding plays,' Folden said.
"He has played the monster back position for us all year and we
are pleased with his progress. He didn't play for us last year as a
sophomore so he has learned with each game.'
Unfortunately for Folden and the Pats, Muldong's tremendous.
performance may be overshadowed by some devastating news as John Ray,
the Patriots' 6-9 305-pound all-state tackle, had to be helped off
g
h
the field with five minuties remaining in the first
quarter. He did
not re-enter the game and left at halftime to have his left knee
examined at a hospital.
"We'll have to wait and get a report on John's knee. He
couldn't put any weight on it and Red (GW trainer Red Hartman) said
it was pretty loose. It doesn't look favorable,' Folden
said.
GW had another scare in the fourth quarter when Keith Graley,
the Pats' all-state tight end, hobbled off the field with 6:25
remaining.
"Keith suffered a slightly sprained ankle and I think he'll be
all right. It will be sore for a few days,' Folden
added.
Even with senior captains Ray and Graley gone, the
Patriots
showed that its difficult schedule is beginning to pay dividends for
its younger players. The Pats had played Beckley, East Bank,
Stonewall Jackson and
"Our schedule has been murderous and our young players came.
through for us tonight. And you know what, it doesn't
get any easier.
because we play the number one team in the state
(DuPont) on its home
field next Friday. We'll have to play a super game to have a
chance,' Folden said.
Muldong's heroics wasn't the
only outstanding performance for
the Patriots. Sophomore running back Robert Hall picked up 70 yards
on 12 carries. Quarterback Jason Moore turned in a solid evening as
he completed 8 of 16 passes for 126 yards. Placekicker
Mike Grady
booted a 28-yard field goal.
Nitro piled up 248 total yards in its losing effort. Halfback
h
Greg Bibbee paced the "Cats with 74 yards on 13
carries while
fullback Jeff Slater gained 65 yards on 13 carries and scored their
only touchdown on a one-yard run.
Nitro, 2-3, will play at home next Friday against St. Albans in
the
next Friday night.