Sports - November 2003

Wolves set to take on Cavaliers

Published November 12, 2003

By JOHN MARK BROOKS, Staff Writer

————————————

The Lincolnton Wolves find themselves in an unfamiliar underdog role this week as they prepare to meet the Cummings Cavaliers. Cummings, the No. 2 seed in the state, carries an unblemished 12-0 record into the game against the 10 seed,  9-3, Wolves.

Head coach Scott Cloninger was happy with the way the Wolves played two years ago, but would like to have seen a different result.

“We’re going in as a big underdog, but I expect our kids to relish that role and come out and play their hearts out and play like we did two years ago. All you can hope for is the chance to be in position to win there in the end of the game,” he said.

Lincolnton is coming off a quality 21-17 win over a good Avery County football team. Cloninger believes it was good to get that winning taste back in their mouth.

“I think it will help us because we had lost the last two games. The win at Avery has got us back believing and we have gained some confidence,” he said.

Anytime a team has to square off against one of the top teams in the state, they are not going to be favored. However, Cloninger feels his team is ready and not intimidated.

“It’s always a challenge, but I think our kids are looking forward to this game. In my opinion, you don’t back down from anybody. You go and meet the challenge,” he said.

OFFENSIVELY

Wolves running back Darren Wilson rushed for over 100 yards against Avery. Cloninger will look for more of the same from him, Eric Wilson and Bradley Dalrymple.

“We’re gonna have to move the chains, grind it out and basically have a ball control offense,” he said.

Lincolnton will be pitted against the fastest team they’ve faced all year on both sides of the ball.

“I’ve been coaching for 24 years and their skill people are probably the fastest collection of skill people I’ve ever seen,” he said.

Cloninger was pleased, but by no means satisfied with his offensive line’s performance against Avery. For the Wolves to have a good chance at winning against Cummings that unit’s play will have to step up.

“At times we did OK and at times we made a few of mistakes we’ve been making the last few weeks. We played a team that was 8-3 and their losses came to Pisgah, Owen and Watauga, so going in we knew they were a very good team,” he said.

DEFENSIVELY

Cloninger claims to know the best way to practice for facing the great athleticism that the Cavaliers possess.

“I joked around and said that the best way to prepare for Cummings was to let five wild deer lose on our practice field and tell our kids to catch them,” he said.

The Cavaliers’ signal caller and player that makes the Cavs go is 5’11” 140-pound  Bo Williamson.

“He’s a scrambler like Fran Tarkenton used to be. He throws better when he’s running and has a lot of moves,” Cloninger said.

As dangerous as Williamson is, despite his size, Cloninger and his coaching staff are just as worried about the Cavs’ running back 5’8” 160-pound Tony Leath.

“He is the state champion in the 100 meters. I’ve been told he runs a 4.2 forty. If he gets behind you then I’ve never seen anybody catch him,” Cloninger said.

The Cavaliers run a shotgun offense and put the ball in the air more than they run it.

“They’re going to throw probably 70% of the time. They spread the field, from sideline to sideline. What makes them so good as receivers is they catch the ball well and run the ball well after they catch it. They can throw the ball deep or throw it short,” Cloninger said.

With every skill person being a threat, Cloninger knows his defensive unit will need to put forth great effort.

“For us to beat Cummings, everybody on that defensive side is going to have to give us everything they got on every single play,” he said.

X-FACTOR

The coach just wants his team to worry about themselves and not focus all their energy on their opponent.

“Anytime you visit the No. 1 team in the state, you don’t need to be intimidated and just go and play your game. Don’t let them dictate the tempo of the game. You need to play your game,” Cloninger said.

40 or 85 East

Go to Burlington and take exit 143

Go down the ramp and take a left on highway 62

Go to the third stop light and turn right onto Mebane Street (Circle K-Mart on the corner)

Stay straight on Mebane for approximately 3 miles and it will take you into the high school parking lot

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions