The Wilmington morning star., 1946-11-03
Along
The....
Side|iines
With ELTON CASEY
PRAISE FOR WILSON COACHES!

PRAISE FOR WILSON COACHES!
What do YOU think beat Wilmington against Wilson!
Immediately following the game last Friday night
we heard all sorts of comments from the spectators as
tn whv the Wildcats suffered their second Eastern Class
IA Conference setback and appear to be out OF the rum
ming for the loop crown. lgaa
Some thought the quarterbacknga was bad. others
didn't like the coaching. Still othenlfans couldn't see
some of the decisions handed down by the officials on
a couple of Wilmington passes that were not ruled as
interference.
Well. if you, dear readers, won't mind we will pre-
sent the two reasons that we thought spelled defeat
for Wilmington.
First. we think the superb punting, running, and
passing of Dickey Davis was one of the biggest factors
in the Cyclones triumph. This operator had been in
formed that rabbit Overman was the boy that New
Hanover must stop. But, this wasn't true last Friday
night.
Davis, in our opinion, ranks as one of the best triple
threat backs that has kicked up his heels at Legion
Stadium this year. It was Davis sweeps around the
flanks that collected plenty of yardage for the victors.
He had a punting average way above par and his passing
was quite effective. By the way, he's no kin to our Tom
and Jap.
The other reason that we attribute for the heart
breaking Wilmington loss was the smart coaching OF
Henry (Hank) Madden, head pilot of the scrappy Cy-
clones. It was quite obvious that Madden knew his
"onions' against the Wildcats The former Charlotte
mentor had his boys on edge for the game and ne never
Let them give up.
It looked to us as if Madden, or his assistant Red
Benton, former University of North Carolina ace, did
an excellent job of "scouting' Wilmington. The Wilson
line knew exactly what defense to use and the Cyclones
secondary quite often appeared to be not the least bit
alarmed with the Wildcat T-Formation.
The best way to stop the supposedly tricky 81"
was shown by the Cyclones. Yes, we really think that
Madden doesn't have to worry with other conference
foes who operate behind the "T'' if his boys play heads
up ball like they did against Wilmington.
Madden pulled his two guards back on certain plays
and this move completely throttled the Wilmington at
tack. Too, he used a seven-man line sometimes which
proved very effective.
And then on several occasions, Madden operated
with a four-man front wall.
In our opinion, the success of the colorful Charles L..
Coon %gridders can certainly be partly given to Madden
and Benton.
On every ball club there is always ne player who is the "unsun
nero" He never gets the credit that he deserves. Why? Well, he
lust doesn't play the position that grabs the spotlight.
On this years New Hanover squad there is one boy who Away
his heart out. He can run and to is is the best defensive ma
the Wildcat team. He's small but when he makes a tackle, it rattle
ike bricks being tossed around.
His number is 80. In case you don't know who we are speakin
it is little Jimmy Piner, CoCaptain with lanky Buddy Bridges an
scrappy right halfback.
When we were up in Durham last week, we talked to Fred En-
merson, head coach at D. H. S. and No. 1 coach of the North Carolin
in the Shrine Bowl game in Charlotte. He asked US who W
thought was a good prospect from the Wilmington team to get in tn
Shrine game. Right off, we recommended Piner.
Jimmy Plner is a great player. He was that way in the opene
with Klnston and his performance is even improving. Fans, keep a
eye OF No. % if you want to see a real lover Of football.