MAKE WAY FOR SPEEDY WILDCATS

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 09/04/1992
Page: P 1B
Headline: MAKE WAY FOR SPEEDY WILDCATS
Byline: TOM ALUISE

If asked to choose between an offensive line of tree trunks or
one of smaller, quicker players, Nitro High School's current crop of
backs would prefer mobility to muscle.
For once, the Wildcats have some speed. And they don't need
some 275-pound tackle clogging up the holes. Just clear a path and
get out of the way.
Nitro annually boasts some of the area's biggest linemen. This
season, head coach Greg Cyrus' crew is closer to your typical high
school line.
- RWhich is fine with quarterback Joey Javins and tailback Dwight
Patton, two of Nitro's fastest players. Javins, Patton and Chuck
Richmond, who's currently out with a broken wrist, were part of
Nitro's state champion 4x400 relay team at last May's state meet.
The trio also helped the Wildcats finish fourth in the 4x100.
Each player runs in 4.5 40 range.
Javins, a three-year starter on defense and two-year regular in
the backfield, said running behind a smaller offensive line has
advantages.
"I'd rather have the quick guys than the ones 250 pounds,'
said the 5-11, 170-pound Javins. "They can't move.'
"Yeah,' said Patton. "They can get in your way.'
Patton, a 5-7, 140-pound senior, has been returning kicks for
the Wildcats the last two seasons. This year, his speed has been
added to the offense. Patton will move to a wing-back position when
Richmond, a 5-9, 160-pound senior, moves in at tailback possibly next
week. Richmond didn't play football last year.
- RNitro's improved speed was evident in the Wildcats'
season-opening 19-0 victory over Winfield last week.
Javins rushed for 102 yards on 11 carries and scored on a
75-yard run. Patton picked up 60 yards on only six carries. In
total, the Wildcats broke about six long runs from scrimmage, a
display of speed seldom witnessed at Underwood Field.
"Last year it was a big deal to break a 10-yard run,' said
Javins, an option quarterback with a running back's mentality.
Javins actually started a few games at tailback last season, rushing
for a high of 154 yards against St. Albans.
"I look to run first,' said Javins, who'll be in action at
7:30 tonight when the Wildcats visit Hurricane (0-1). "It's not as
easy to tackle a quarterback who can move.'
"Joey can make a lot of things happen,' Patton said.
Both players said Nitro's ability to run will help them against
perennially swift teams such as Capital. For once, the Wildcats have
some guys in the secondary who can run down escaped ball carriers.
"It will enable us to score some more points and stay in the
game against them (Capital),' Patton said. "We at least have a
chance to win.'
"We're a threat to pick up yards any time,' said Cyrus. "And
when we get Chuck back we'll be a bigger threat.'