Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, December 10, 1993 TAG: 9312100031
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-12 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: By BOB TEITLEBAUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Or they talked about the weather, which made it nearly impossible for Indian River's passing attack to unload the big bomb.
No one talked about the Cougars' special teams.
Consider that, except for the second quarter, the Braves never had a chance, for they never began a series outside their own 23-yard line.
That was huge in the rain and mud. Four times, Indian River's first play on a series started inside the 20, including the first one, when the Braves fumbled on their first run at the 12 to set up the Cougars' first score.
Only in the second quarter did Indian River escape the trap. Ingles Twice on fumble recoveries, the Braves had good field position; once, when a snap was mishandled by Billy Ingles, who had a punt blocked, Indian River started at midfield.
It is the Cougars' kickoff team that is especially noticeable.
Next, it is sophomore placekicker Shayne Graham, who last year won a state semifinal playoff game against Robinson with a last-second field goal.
This year, Graham has kicked field goals in the last two games, making it necessary for the Cougars' opponents to score twice for a victory.
"If you're on the kickoff team at Pulaski County, you're considered a tough nut. We pick the toughest kids we've got, and it's an honor to be on the kickoff team," said Cougar coach Joel Hicks.
Ingles kicks off.
He does that, instead of Graham, because his kick acts like a knuckleball. It's hard to handle.
The other members of the kickoff team are Tim Kimbrough, Jammon Payne, John Lilly, Brad Page, Carl Lewis, Tim Davis, Andre Eaves, Jeff Berkley, Tim Hill and C.A. Burkes.
"First of all, you must have the ability to run. Then you have to be a good tackler," Hicks said of kickoff team credentials.
"He calls us the `wild bunch,' because everyone on the kickoff team likes to hit," Ingles said.
"We're the 11 hardest hitters, and he's [Hicks] got us on there because of quickness and getting down the field to cover. It makes it a lot easier on me."
On punts, Ingles averages 36.5 yards. He has consistently put opposing teams in a hole, but ran into bad weather against Indian River for his one gaffe.
"There was a big mudhole. The snap came in a little low and hit on my finger tips. I picked it up but never got a firm grip on it," Ingles said. The kick was blocked.
Graham's field-goal range as a sophomore was 30-35 yards. Now it's 40-45 yards, though his longest field goal this year is 33.
"I'd rather kick into the wind [as he did against Gar-Field, when he made a 32-yarder]. In the wet conditions, it's harder for my holder [Leon Crane] to get it down, and I have to get a good plant," Graham said.
Against Indian River, Graham was fortunate that the crucial 22-yard field goal that gave Pulaski County a 17-7 lead with 10 minutes left came from a grassy area.
For the record, the entire coaching staff has a part in Pulaski County's special-team success.
Hicks handles the kickoff, Freddie Akers has punt coverage, Clark Reece and Perry Reese handle field-goal and extra-point Graham blocks, Ken Dobson works with the placekicker and holder, and Dave Bell and Tommy Hale help Hicks, Reece and Reese on kickoff coverage.
"All phases of everything, it's the best special teams I've had," Hicks said.
by CNB