NITRO'S TINSLEY TOEING THE LINE PREP FOOTBALL

Publication: THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
Published: 08/03/2005
Page: 3B
Headline: NITRO'S TINSLEY TOEING THE LINE PREP FOOTBALL
Byline: TOMMY R. ATKINSON

tatkinson@wvgazette.com

It doesn't matter how many superstars you have if you can't block for them.

That's why Nitro coach Scott Tinley's full attention during summer practice, which began Monday across the state, has been on rebuilding the offensive line.

"What we're really needing to do is get the offensive line fixed," said Tinsley, who led the Wildcats to a 9-3 record and a Class AAA second-round playoff appearance last year.

"We have enough skill guys. We've got to make sure we shore up our line of scrimmage. We just don't have any experience up front right now. I think we have capable players."

Nitro returns one of the most explosive offensive duos in the state in running back Josh Culbertson and wide receiver Chris Fulmer.

Culbertson finished third in last year's Kennedy Award voting for the state's top high school player. The 5-9, 192-pound senior-to-be led the state with 2,603 yards and scored 35 touchdowns. Fulmer, a 6-2, 185-pound senior, finished with 66 receptions for 1,032 yards and seven TDs.

The only returning starter on the offensive line is junior Chad Snodgrass, a 6-foot-4, 305-pound guard.

Tinsley said so far 5-11, 202-pound junior Jordan Broome (center), 5-10, 205-pound sophomore Brandon King (tackle) and 6-3, 240-pound junior Tyler Rader (tackle) have earned starting positions while "two or three kids" are fighting for the other guard spot.

"They're getting better every day," Tinsley said. "I think they can be adequate. I don't think they're going to be an O-line that anybody looks at on film and says they're a dominant group.

"If they're adequate enough not to get us beat, that'll give us a chance in every game. We're still a finesse team. We prefer athletic linemen over big linemen. These kids are athletic. It's going to be a matter of getting game exposure and adjusting to all the different [defensive] looks."

Another area of concern for Tinsley entering summer practice was finding a replacement at quarterback for the graduated Michael Williams, who passed for 1,515 yards and 10 TDs.

Tinsley can at least check that position off his list.

Michael Scott, a 5-11, 165-pound sophomore, has stepped up to fill the void. Tinsley said Scott led Nitro to a 6-3 mark in a 7-on-7 tournament during West Virginia University's team camp this summer. Scott completed 18-of-27 passes for 122 yards in limited duty last year.

"He had a great summer," said Tinsley. "We went up to the 7-on-7 in Morgantown and went against some really good competition from all over the place. He played well enough in every game for us to win. People are going to be really surprised at how talented he is."

Capital

After losing a dozen seniors to graduation, coach Jack Woolwine is busy trying to forge a bond in the first few days of practice.

"You've go to rebuild that camaraderie," said the veteran coach. "We're trying to establish attitude. Your football has to be like a family. They have to trust everybody.

"All the intangible things have to be built. Your seniors become your leaders. When they leave, you've got the next group that has to come in and step into those shoes and keep the program going."

The Cougars, who finished 9-3 and advanced to the second round of the AAA playoffs, must also replace last year's leading receiver (Zach DiTrapano) and defensive back (Ron Hall), who transferred to George Washington.

"That's a couple other slots we have to fill," said Woolwine. "We had all those seniors, so you're going to have spots to fill. We're not really looking at any particular area.

"We've got to be solid all over. Our kids have worked real hard. We feel we're going to be competitive and have a pretty decent football team. We're real pleased where we are right now."

Herbert Hoover

The Huskies are hoping to make their special teams a little more special this season.

"We felt last year we didn't excel at the special teams," said veteran coach Steve Stoffel Sr. "We were pretty successful in returns, but the big thing was we didn't defend it and we want to be able to block kicks. We're just trying to shore that up and find some depth."

Hoover, which finished 4-6 in AA, returned four kickoffs and three punts for TDs last year.

"It came down the end of the year nobody would kick it to us so we're looking to improve those short kickoff returns," Stoffel said. "We expect better coverage. We felt like we could have done a little better if we hadn't given up great field position."

Stoffel has already found a replacement for four-year starter Alex Amick. Buddy Kessell, a 6-2, 210-pound junior, will handle kickoffs, punts, extra points and field-goal attempts in addition to his duties as an offensive tackle and linebacker.

"We're looking for someone to help spell him," Stoffel said.

Senior Wes Hanson and junior D.J. Taylor, a second-team all-state tailback, are back to return kickoffs and punts.

To contact staff writer Tommy R. Atkinson, use e-mail or call 348-4811.