WILDCATS HOPES HIGH AS 14 STARTERS RETURN

Publication: THE SUNDAY GAZETTE-MAIL
Published: 08/28/1994
Page: P17F
Headline: WILDCATS HOPES HIGH AS 14 STARTERS RETURN
Byline: TOM ALUISE

Coach Greg Cyrus is still looking for his first winning season
at Nitro since taking over in 1988. The school hasn't posted a
winning mark since Pat Vance's Wildcats went 6-4 in 1983.
Nitro skidded to a 2-8 record a season ago but has eight
starters back on offense and six on defense.
"It all comes down to what everyone else has,' Cyrus said.
"We could be good or we could be 2-8 again. Who knows? I'll be
pretty disappointed if we're 2-8, though.'
Cyrus is hoping an experienced quarterback and offensive line
make the difference this year.
Three-year starter Dan Taylor (5-10, 175, sr.) returns at QB, as
do Scott Riddle (6-5, 280, sr.), Eric Raines (6-1, 225, sr.), Dean
Wartenburg (5-10, 175, sr.) and Travis Asbury (6-1, 215, sr.) on the
offensive line. Also back are tight ends Tim Jones (6-3, 225, sr.)
and Bob Boggess (6-1, 215, sr.) and running back Rob Withrow (5-8,
160, sr.).
Riddle is a Division-I prospect. Two of his predecessors _ Sam
Smith at Tulane and Brian Smith at Ohio State _ are already in major
college programs.
"Our first team is pretty good,' said Cyrus, who might put it
in the air more this year with the departure of top running back Jade
Gummer. Taylor threw one touchdown pass in '93.
"He's better than what people think he is,' Cyrus said,
describing his QB as a passer. "We'll probably throw more this year
. It won't be a lot of long stuff.'
Taylor will be throwing to a host of receivers: Brian Clark
(6-2, 160, jr.), Shane Goodall (6-0, 150, sr.), Dan Hughes (6-1, 170,
jr.) and Shane Vanater (5-7, 165, sr.). Joining Withrow in the
backfield will be Paul Hughes (5-10, 165, jr.), Nathan Casdorph (6-3,
175, sr.), Jason Redman (5-11, 155, soph.) and Ryan Blake (5-10, 165,
soph.).
Defensive starters returning are Raines and Riddle on the line;
Asbury at an end; Hughes and Taylor at linebacker slots and Withrow
in the secondary.
Tim Jones will move into a linebacker spot and Steve Lusher
(6-2, 230, sr.) at the other defensive end position. Clark, Blake,
Redmen, Bill Haynes (5-9, 165, sr.) and Jamie Casto (5-9, 155, sr.)
will play in the secondary.