NITRO SOPHOMORE FOILS G.W.
Publication: THE
Published: 10/03/1987
Page: P
Headline: NITRO SOPHOMORE FOILS G.W.
Byline: RICK GARR
Although he's only a sophomore, tight end Matt McNeel
may have
had the game of his career Friday night in leading Nitro to an
exciting 17-14 victory over the visiting George Washington Patriots
McNeel, who already has good size at 6-foot-4 and 186
pounds,
looked more like a moonlighting NFL striker than a fuzzy-cheeked
prepster in carrying the Wildcats to a 4-2
record. He caught an
83-yard touchdown pass, kicked the game-winning field goal in the
fourth quarter, and for an encore intercepted a Patriot pass with
three minutes left and sealed the victory.
George Washington's record fell to 1-4, with rugged DuPont next
on the schedule. Nitro improved to 4-2 and visits
week.
McNeel's gaudy individual performance overshadowed an
excellent
evening by G.W.'s Robert Hall. A junior running back,
he gained 105
yards on 21 carries and was durable and determined. He scored both
Patriot touchdowns, one on a dive play and the other on a 17-yard
pass reception and run.
For Nitro, senior fullback Bret Caldwell had 83 yards on 14
totes, mainly gutbusters through the middle of the
muscle.
"Our defense was the story of the game,' said Coach Pat Vance
of Nitro, "but our offense made that drive when we needed it. We
were running so much because our quarterback had a hip pointer and
couldn't throw too well, so the line had to suck it up and block
a little harder.'
Jay Folden, coach of the losing Patriots, wasn't
sobbing in his
Gatorade, though.
"Our kids played hard. They gave us everything they could
give,' he said, stoutly. "Nitro has a good football team, but our
kids played tough.
"We're proud of them. They cut down on their mental errors,
and I think our kids just gave a tremendous effort.'