Evening star., 1950-09-25
(Another In a Series.)
By MerreII WhittIesey
Stor SfaH Correspondent

Sfor Sfoff (erTeSPohdenf
BLACKSBURG, Va, Sept. u.s.
Football coaches throughout Viz
ginia and the Southern Confer
ence have no pity in their hearts
for poor little v. P. l., which has
won one football game in two
years.
Because these coaches. at least
the ones whose teams meet the
Gobblers in the next three or four
years, tell in envious tones of the
talent the Gobblers have on hand
in the person Of freshman and
sophomore gridmen.
Here in Blacksburg, Coach Bob
McNeish admits there is a posi-
bility he will field an all-sopho-
more team by midseason. depend
ing upon how fast the second year
men develop. Last years fresh
man team lost only one game.
McNeish and other Gobbler off,
cials are a bit coy about the cur
rent freshman talent. but admit 1t
is pretty good" Jackie Williams,
brilliant young prospect from Day.
tona Beach. is one Of several
Florida boys on hand and there
were angry words from Florida
sports columnistS when Williams
chose v. p. I.
Rivals See v. p. /. Gaining.
Some of the coaches whose
teams have been picking on the
Gobblers since 1912, v. P. rs last
winning season. claim that v. P. I.
will be in the Duke North Carolina
class in two years and too much
for old rivals in Virginia's Big Six.
Gobbler alumni are saying it's
about time. In 1948, v. P. I. tied
Richmond for its only non-losing
effort. Last year, it beat Rich
mond and tied Washington and
Lee and v. M. I.
This is the third year for Nc
Neish, former backfleld coach at
Navy. and although there are II
holdovers from Jimmy Kits
coaching reign. Gobblers will
mostly be a McNeish team this
year.
The schedule is made up Of the
same 10 teams played by v. P. I.
last year, 10 teams that rolled
up 272 points-55 by Duke, 80 by
William and Mary and "a by
Maryland. But in place of 1-7-2
record in 1949, v. P. I. figures at
least to play 500 football this year.
It's next year when this years fine
frosh talent has a year of ex-
perience and gets help from the
hashy frosh that v. P. I. Is ex-
pected to roll.
Many Early Changes Likely.
McNeish named a probable
starting lineup for Saturdays
opening game here with the
Quantico Marines, but it's only
probable. Another bright spot in
the influx of talent is that the
sophomores are pushing the let
termen for their jobs and for a
few weeks there's likely to be q
rapid turnover of first stringers
Holdovers will get most OF the
starting assignments against the
Marines.
Another bright spot in the Cob
bier setup is that there's not toe
much dependence in any one
player. Their best known to date
is Sterling Wingo, a brilliant base
ball prospect and track star. who
had played three games OF foot
ball at end before coming to v
P. I. Wingo is a senior and aver
aged eight yards a crack in 81
trips with the ball last year from
his right halfback position.
There was report that Wingc
would pass up football this year
because his baseball sponsors were
fearful he might be injured ir
his senior year. McNeish read
about it, but Wingo never has
mentioned 1t to him and when
Sterling showed up for the first
days practice, that was enough
for McNeish. He's counting or
the speedy youngster from Rich
mond.
Two ID. C. Boys on Squad.
The only Washington area boys
on the v. P. I. squad are Francis
Hobbs, 210-pound sophomore
tackle from Tech High, and
Everett German, a non-scholar-
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