MULDONG EMERGES AS HERO OF G.W.
VICTORY; RAY HURT
Publication: THE
Published: 10/04/1986
Page: NOT AVAILABLE
Headline: MULDONG EMERGES AS HERO OF G.W. VICTORY; RAY HURT
Byline: MIKE CHERRY
Chances are if someone held a banquet for the top football
players in the Kanawha Valley Conference, the only way George.
Washington High's Dean Muldong would be able to fill
his plate was if
he crashed or came as someone's date.
With no past credentials, I'm afraid we can not put you on the
list, Mr. Muldong. However, after Friday night's
performance during
George Washington's 22-10 win over Nitro at Laidley Field, Nitro may
want to put the junior on a hit list.
Muldong's mirror-like interception return touchdowns
were the
difference as George Washington received a reprieve in its difficult
early schedule and raised its record to 2-3. The Patriots' losses
have been narrow ones to an esteemed trio _
Jackson and
The win may prove costly to the Patriots in that all-state
tackle John Ray injured his left knee eight minutes into the game.
Ray, a major college prospect, hobbled off the field and appeared on
some bench-side seats early in the second half in a short-sleeve
shirt and cap. He was taken to an area hospital for diagnosis,
according to George Washington Coach Jay Folden.
"(Trainer) Red (Hartman) said it was pretty bad,' Folden
said
Muldong's two scores, one in the second quarter and
the other in.
the third, broke open a 10-3 game as G.W. snapped its two-game losing
streak. The 5-foot-8, 155-pound junior credited defensive coach
Bobby White for instructing him toward his two untouched touchdowns.
. The thefts were also the first two of his brief high school career
"He (White) told us how to read the play,' said Muldong,
who
was not even a starter at the beginning of the season. "I saw him
(Nitro quarterback Scott Dixon) raising up and went right to where
the ball was.' His touchdown returns covered 32 and 33 yards.
The game was close statistically, George Washington outgaining.
Nitro, 271-238. The Patriots were balanced in their
attack _ gaining
145 on the ground and 126 passing. Exciting sophomore Robert Hall
led all rushers with 81 yards on 13 carries, while G.W. teammate
Billy Knox gained 61 yards on 16 carries and scored a touchdown.
However, it was the continued emergence of junior quarterback
Jason Moore that most pleased Folden.
season, completed 8-of-16 passes for 126 yards. "He's getting
better,' Folden said. "He's
got a long way to go. But I'm happy
with the way he is responding. He's a good athlete.'
Nitro gained 142 yards on the ground, junior Greg Bibbie
leading
the Wildcats with 75 yards on 13 carries. He was followed by Jeff
Slater's 55 on 13 attempts.
The Wildcats suffered injuries to their top two quarterbacks.
Senior Jimbo Jordan, who missed last week's game,
injured his hip in.
the first quarter and did not return. Backup Scott Dixon played most
of the rest of the way until injuring his thigh. Sophomore Rick
Woodrum finished the game for the Nitro.
"I was pleased with our defense,' Nitro Coach Pat Vance said
. "Both interceptions came off a three-step drop. One was a
look-in, one was an out he (
a good defensive team. I was impressed, especially with (tackle
Matt) Williamson.'
Early in the game, the teams traded field goals. G.W.'s
Mike
Grady hit a 28-yarder in the first quarter and Nitro's David Payne
retaliated with a 25-yarder in the second quarter. The Wildcats'
score was set by by a
interception and 33-yard return by Todd Martin
off
However, Nitro turnovers eventually led to its ruin.
fumbled on a hit by Williamson and Mike Justice recovered
the ball on
the Nitro 32 late in the second quarter. Knox's 4-yard score
occurred four plays later.
Just 27 seconds later, with 1:32 left until halftime, Muldong
scored the first of his touchdowns to give G.W. its 16-3 lead.
Muldong closed out the Patriots' scoring with 2:19
left in the third.
quarter by picking off
the left sideline to make the game 22-3.
Muldong did not even play football last year,
electing to sit
out his sophomore season after breaking his collarbone as a freshman
. "I wanted to see what it was like without football,' the stocky
Muldong said. "I missed
it.'
Nitro scored its only touchdown with 5:06 left when fullback
Slater scored from the 1. Woodrum conducted the Wildcats
on their
70-yard march.
Both teams face difficult tasks next week _ George Washington
visiting top-ranked DuPont, while Nitro hosts