NITRO DOWNS BLACK EAGLES IN THE MUD

Publication: CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL
Published: 10/26/2002
Page: 1B
Headline: NITRO DOWNS BLACK EAGLES IN THE MUD
Byline: CHRISTOPHER WADE

FOR THE DAILY MAIL

Halloween came a few days early for Nitro High's football team as its three-headed monster appeared at Underwood Field.

South Charleston wasn't tricked, but there were few treats for the Black Eagles Friday as the trio of Chris McGee, Derek Midkiff and Chris Fulmer led Nitro to an easy 35-8 victory in front of a rain-soaked crowd of about 300.

The Wildcat trio combined for most of Nitro's 413 yards of total offense.

"Our entire offense did a great job tonight, especially considering the conditions," said Nitro Coach Scott Tinsley. "It was terrible out there and unfair for both teams. But I've always said, both teams have to play on it."

The Wildcats (4-5) certainly handled the muddy conditions much better than South Charleston (1-8). Nitro was able to do what it wanted, when it wanted, and with whomever it wanted to do it with.

It all started with McGee, a 5-foot-10, 174-pound senior running back, who scored four touchdowns en route to a 22-carry, 144-yard night.

"For Chris to score four touchdowns doesn't surprise me at all," Tinsley said. "He has a way of finding and getting into the end zone. He has gotten better and better each year. He was only a one-way player his sophomore year."

"McGee is a great part of our team," said Midkiff, the 6-foot, 155-pound senior quarterback. "Without him, our passing game is shot. You have to have a running game or defenses will just drop back into coverage all game long."

With the Black Eagle defense trying to contain McGee, Midkiff was able to have his way through the air, completing 17-of-31 passes for 269 yards, including a touchdown pass.

Last week in a 49-45 loss to Riverside, Midkiff threw for 487 yards.

"Our offensive line did a great job," Tinsley said. "If they give Derek time to throw, we are hard to stop. We have no idea how much we will miss him (Midkiff). We had J.R. House for four years, and now Derek for four, so Nitro has been real blessed."

"There was puddles seeping everywhere out there tonight but for our receivers it is better because they know where to go and the corners don't," said McGee. "With the different routes we have, it's a huge edge and with Derek throwing the ball, the advantage is even bigger."

While Midkiff threw the ball all over the field, his No. 1 receiver was Fulmer, which was no surprise considering the freshman caught 19 passes for 286 yards last week.

Against South Charleston, Fulmer didn't post quite as high numbers but his eight-catch, 141-yard, one-touchdown performance still stood out.

"What a player he is, especially to be a freshman," said Tinsley. "He keeps getting better and better and even though we will lose Derek and Chris, we will certainly have some weapons on offense for the next few years."

"It has been unbelievable to see him grow," Midkiff said. "Even though he is a freshman, he is the go-to guy.

"He has the surest hands on the team and if I get into a situation, I'm going to more often than not look his (Fulmer's) way."

While Nitro had 413 yards of total offense, South Charleston quarterback Chris Hunt was 5-of-14 passing for just 64 yards with two interceptions and the Black Eagles could only muster 146 yards of offense.