Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 08/06/2002
Page: 1B

Byline: JASON MARTIN

Nitro (3-7) - Fifty-three Wildcats reported at midnight Monday for first-year Coach Scott Tinsley, many of whom he was still trying to identify.

"There are definitely names I'm still trying to get down," he said.

One who doesn't need an introduction to Tinsley is senior QB Derek Midkiff, who enters his fourth year as a regular after passing for 2,826 yards and 21 touchdowns last year.

Tinsley is encouraged by a deep, quick group of receivers, and the return of senior back Chris McGhee, a 1,178-yard rusher who scored 14 total TDs last year.

The focus for the Wildcats will be on defense, where poor tackling led to opponents averaging 38.4 ppg.

"We have to get to the point where we're executing on both sides of the ball," Tinsley said.