NITRO FINISHES WITH 3RD WIN

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 11/08/1986
Page: NOT AVAILABLE
Headline: NITRO FINISHES WITH 3RD WIN
Byline: DAVID FENWICK

POCA _ Friday evening's game between backyard rivals Nitro and
Poca featured no playoff-bound schools.
In fact, neither team had a shot at a winning season.
Nonetheless, Nitro head coach Pat Vance was extremely pleased with
his team's 14-0 victory over the Dots.
"Even though tonight's win only puts us at 3-7, as far as I'm
concerned it was a very important win,' said Vance. "I've been at
Nitro 14 years and I've never had a team go 2-8 and I wasn't
ready to start this year.
"After losing five in a row, I'm proud the way our team bounced
back. Sometimes it's hard to grab a win after losing that many
successive games.'
One of the key reasons for Nitro's victory in the team's final
game of the season was its domination of the line of scrimmage. The
bigger Wildcat linemen were aided by a slick, muddy field.
"As far as I'm concerned, tonight's game was won on the line of.
scrimmage,' said Vance. "The two teams were pretty evenly matched,
but our control of the line gave us opportunities to move the ball
.'
Greg Bibbee, Nitro's junior halfback, also had a few things to
say as far as the game's outcome was concerned. Bibbee rushed 22
times for 126 yards and despite the field's adverse conditions, was
never stopped for a loss.
The 5-10, 165-pounder's rugged north-south running style may
have been aided by the field conditions, but Bibbee felt it hurt him
just as much as it did the defense.
"The field was really bad tonight, but it goes both ways,'.
said Bibbee. "I don't know if the mud gave me any advantage, but if
it did I don't think it was enough to make a big difference. Our
line was getting off the ball well and that allowed me to get a
little jump on Poca's defense.'
The first half almost went scoreless, but Nitro's Bret Caldwell
wrapped up a 97-yard drive on a two-yard touchdown run with 1:16.
remaining. David Payne hit his first of two extra points to make the
halftime score 7-0 in favor of the Wildcats.
Quarterback Jimbo Jordan gave Nitro its other touchdown near the
end of the third quarter, sneaking in from one yard out with 1:05
left.
Nitro threatened once more, driving to Poca's four-yard line
midway through the final quarter, but was halted when Jordan was
sacked on a fourth down and goal pass attempt.
Jordan attempted only eight passes, but completed five for 91
yards.
As the night progressed, the weather worsened and the clouds
seemed to hang over the head of Poca coach Don Jennings much the way
they have all year.
"We went through many of the problems tonight that have hurt us
all year,' said Jennings. "Our offense just couldn't seem to get
anything going on the ground or in the air. We may look to simplify
things more next year.
"Before the season started, we were already losing kids to
0
injuries and our locker room is filled right now with kids on
crutches. We knew the season was going to be a real test. I'm
pleased with the team, though. Our kids played hard the entire game
and, as a coach, that's all you can ask.'
Poca ended its season with a record of four wins and six losses