NITRO FACES NO. 1 WOODROW
Publication: THE
Published: 10/28/2005
Page: 1B
Headline: NITRO FACES NO. 1 WOODROW
Byline: RICK RYAN, RICKRYAN@WVGAZETTE.COM
As the season started, Nitro coach Scott Tinsley had concerns about his
line. The Wildcats knew they had the skill players, but could they find some
blockers?
As his season got under way, Woodrow Wilson coach John H. Lilly had nothing but
confidence in his linemen, and that trust has been borne out with an unbeaten
start and the state's top ranking.
So go no further than the line of scrimmage when trying to handicap tonight's
showdown of Class AAA powers at mud-caked Underwood Field in Nitro. Kickoff is
set for 7:30. Woodrow (8-0), riding atop the ratings all year, is three spots
ahead of Nitro (7-1).
"I'm really concerned about their line," Tinsley said,
"because they're huge on both sides of the ball, and they're really
athletic for their size as well. I don't think we match up well at all on
either line of scrimmage. We'll have to try and manage that some way, but I
think they have the big edge on both lines."
Lilly acknowledges the superb play of his line out of the Flying Eagles' double
wing-T attack, but doesn't know if that guarantees success against Nitro's
record-setting duo of tailback Josh Culbertson and receiver Chris Fulmer.
"We have a good line and they've been productive all year," Lilly
said. "We have some depth as well in that line - we feel like we're eight
deep in that area. But I don't know if that's an advantage or disadvantage
[tonight] because of the style they play. I'm not sure if a 6-foot-4,
313-pounder can be effective against the style they play.
"It'll be fun and a direct contrast of styles. We'll have to see which way
momentum takes us."
The game promises to be an offensive showcase. Nitro averages 39.6 points and
443 yards per game, while Woodrow averages 35.9 points and 352 yards.
Nitro features Culbertson, the Kennedy Award favorite, who has run for 2,253
yards and 29 touchdowns and Fulmer, who has caught 56 passes for 979 yards and
nine scores. Each owns a state career record, Culbertson in rushing yards and
Fulmer in receptions.
"We're really concerned about being able to stop them," Lilly said,
"because no one's stopped them yet. They lost one game [to Hurricane], but
they really stopped themselves that game with turnovers.
"Evidently, no one's figured out how to stop Culbertson the last two
years. His first step is what's so impressive - it's the quickest first step
I've seen anybody have in a long time. It seems like he gets past the first
wave of defenders so fast that sometimes the second wave gets awestruck. Before
we started watching film on him, I think our kids felt his stats were blown up.
But after watching him all week long, I think they respect him now quite a
bit."
Nitro holds matching respect for the Eagles' ground game, especially when
senior Marcus Manns totes the ball.
Manns leads Woodrow Wilson with 926 yards and 13 TDs, largely on the strength of two monster games - 237
yards and three scores against Cabell Midland and 274 yards and five TDs last week on
"He's their go-to guy when they need something," Tinsley said.
"He's going to be the one they give it to if they need a big play. He's
obviously a step above the rest of them, but all of their backs can go the
distance."
Marquel Ali (438 yards, five TDs)
and Wessley Walker (298 yards, two TDs) are two more rushing threats for Woodrow, with shifty
Blaine Mayo (204 yards, two TDs) serving as the X
factor after missing much of the last four games with a sinus condition.
"You have to do something to get them out of their game," Tinsley
said. "Like most ball-control teams, if you get them behind the chains,
you feel like you have a big advantage.
"But with all their speed, if they get behind the chains, it's no big deal
to them. They're one misdirection play or one sweep from being back ahead of
the chains. It's no typical ball-control team because they have such explosive
players who get the quick big-hitters."
Tinsley said his defense can't afford to ignore the pass, because he
feels Eagles quarterback Ian McCulloch is more than capable of making a big
play. McCulloch has hit on just 26 passes in eight games, but averages 19.2
yards a completion.
"He doesn't throw it a whole bunch," Tinsley said, "but
what they do is lull you to sleep and take one of those speedsters and put it
behind you and they get a cheap score. He's very adequate throwing the football
down the field. They lull you by getting five yards, five yards [with the run]
and you put everybody in the box to stop the run and all of the sudden, it's play action and no one's near the receiver."
Each team has one injury of note.
Receiver-defensive back Jordan Rusin of Nitro (elbow)
remains out until the first round of the playoffs, and Woodrow place-kicker
Chris Yambrick (foot), injured in a soccer regional
game Tuesday, will be a game-time decision.
To contact assistant sports editor Rick Ryan, use e-mail or call 348-5175.