Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 17, 1994 TAG: 9411170066
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RAY COX STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: DUBLIN LENGTH: Long
Matt Hull, a 6-foot, 230-pound junior defensive tackle and a first-year varsity starter, was schooled after the Heritage game. The final whistle had hardly been blown before Cougars coach Joel Hicks lit into him like yellow jackets on a guy with a lawn mower.
``It was terrible,'' said Hull, barely able to contain a shudder. ``I don't even want to remember it. I was humiliated.''
Jay James, a 6-1, 231-pound junior and another first year starter at tight tackle and defensive tackle, also recalls that grim night.
``Coach Hicks was so mad that he just went down the line and said something to every lineman. When he got to me, I don't think he could even remember my name. All he could do was point.''
Was it mentioned that Pulaski County won the game? Absolutely squashed the Pioneers flatter than a tortilla. So what exactly was the coach's problem? Apparently, he simmered down some.
``He came to me on Monday before practice, he told me he'd watch the films and maybe I hadn't played so bad after all,'' Hull said.
Tell you the truth, Hull would take a dressing down from the coach any day over the bashing one of his teammates from the senior class might deliver.
Overhearing these tales of woe was senior Chris Lawson, the starting split guard and linebacker and a guy who takes a personal stake in the concept of team leadership.
``They both play their position pretty well by now,'' he said with a nod toward Hull and James. ``But they sure were slow getting to where they are.''
What does it take to get these young rookies whipped into shape?
``We talk to them a lot about getting enthused about getting their blocks down,'' Lawson said.
James took the liberty to flesh out Lawson's account.
``It wasn't always talk,'' he said. ``It was more like a slap to the helmet. When they did talk, it was with words that you couldn't print in the newspaper.''
Lawson's the kind of guy who, when he talks, others shut up. Guys who have stubbly goatees and engage in amateur boxing for the sheer joy of beating the stuffings out of someone like Lawson does are not to be trifled with.
As Pulaski County offensive line coach Clark Reece put it, ``He's a rough and tough type kid. He's always pulling on our sweep plays. When he hits somebody, he hurts them. On the film, you can see them with their feet sticking straight out after he hits them.''
Lately, a lot of them have been left with their feet sticking out. After a less than promising start - ``E.C. Glass really put a hurting on us [14-6 in the second game of the season],'' Reece said - the Cougars have won seven-straight. During that stretch, the defending champions captured the Roanoke Valley District title and qualified for the Group AA Division 5 playoffs that begin next week.
One of the main reasons is the development of both lines. Guys such as Lawson and center Reggie Page have played like the veterans they are; the younger guys such as Hull and James have developed at a face pace.
Pulaski County always had the skill people such as quarterback Andre Eaves and wingback Eric Webb. The key to the season, as everybody knew all along, was the manner in which the line would come around. With only Lawson and center Reggie Page back from last year's team and stalwarts such as All Timesland tackle Randy Dunnigan and Wayne Puckett and Larry Newcomb gone, the line was the linchpin to the whole season.
Among the returners, Lawson and Page took it upon themselves to flog the new guys along.
``Whenever he sees us, he tells us to get down and bang our heads on the ground,'' James said.
It might be added here that such treatment happens on the field, when they're wearing helmets. Not unknown are occasions when the young guys are captured in the locker room and ordered to tap their skulls on the outside of their dressing cubicles, no helmets allowed.
All part of the joys of being a Cougar. Stuff such as Hull being required last year to stand on a chair and chant in falsetto, ``Go, fight, win Cougars!'' If he couldn't suppress his laughter, they'd whack him.
Or James being given ``as a birthday present'' in Hull's words, to an outgoing senior last year. Perhaps you're familiar with the custom of the birthday boy being spanked? The Cougars twist on it was to spank the birthday present.
``They beat the heck out of me,'' James said. ``That was not a good day at all.''
Hicks issued a warning about hazing last year, but James, for one, took the treatment in stride.
``It's all part of making you tough,'' he said.
Besides, there's some honor in the pounding.
``They don't pick on the little guys,'' James said. ``They want somebody who poses a challenge.''
Which brings us back to Lawson. When asked if he went through his initiation rites, he just smiled softly and shook his head.
``Some people, '' said Hull, ``you just leave alone.''
by CNB