The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 25

1 Heavyweight champion Larry Holmes sleeps through a pre-f i press conference while Muhammad Ali, as always, ha: few words of wisdom. Page section Tuesday, September 30, 1980 THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER HI Miracle Needed Finish By Reds 1 TV 1 Work AV nay jPlA KSEZ ALTHOUGH SADDLED 3 with their third tough Jf loss In four games, life tf rrtf p0-S for the Cincinnati iv tlC Bengals goes on. On the il ftfi rtT ful serious side, defensive I I v01 Pnfli I lineman Gary Burley 11 hr'j v4 flexes his muscles, II DzJs struggling through a rJ iFt 5 series of chirwjps, Ji LJi above, Monday at the IX I fVV i team's Spinney Field I Tal I practice session. On the SJ Ber side, offensive I Va Jnl tackle Anthony AAunoz I 1 Cl is all smiles after he. I I 1 -V caught a touchdown I 11 vS fc Pass during a game of XVA VI CCtv 7 tag football, left, while IvO V4 defensive end Eddie fJV r.

tL sVx 1 Edwards looks on. After fy Wijrt- i a day off today, the "It's going to take a near-miracle now. We're definitely in big trouble." Dave Collins, Reds' center fielder, Sept. 16. "It's not over until it's over." John McNamara, Reds' manager, Sept.

19. "We have to win 11 out otll." Johnny Bench, Reds' catcher, Sept. 23. BY PETER KING Sports Reporter Charlie Leibrandt, the Reds' starter against San Diego tonight, summed it up quite well Monday aternoon. "All season long, we've never seemed to take the easy way," Leibrandt said.

"Maybe we can pull off one more miracle." That's about what It will take for the Reds to win the National League West. Everyone knows by now Cincinnati is games behind Houston. Any combination of three Reds' defeats or Houston victories means the Reds will have an Inauspicious start as The Team of the 80s. Compounding the difficulty, of course, is Los Angeles. The Dodgers are two games behind Houston, so the Reds must Jump two teams to win.

AS THE Reds would tell you, they've made their chase a good deal more ludicrous at this point with their performances In three of the four "must-win" series this month. The Reds finished a crucial three-game sweep of the Dodgers nine days ago In Los Angeles, but aside from that, It has not been a pennant drive to remember. First it was a Dodger three-game sweep at Riverfront Stadium Sept. 12-14. Then the Reds split with Houston in a two-game set here two weeks ago.

There were a couple more losses last weekend In Houston with two 2-0 losses before a victory in the Astrodome. "We thought if we could go Into Houston and win at least two out of three we'd have a shot," said Leibrandt. "Now It's definitely a long shot." Enough morbidity. Today at 8:05 p.m., Leibrandt (10-8) faces the Padres' resurgent John Curtis (9-8). The home stretch continues Wednesday with Tom Seaver (10-8) facing Bob Shirley (11-11).

THE ADVANTAGE the Reds have Is their opponents this week. They are 14-2 against the Padres and 14-1 against Atlanta, which is at Riverfront for a regular season- ending three-game set this weekend. The Astros, on the other hand, play the Dodgers three times this weekend. "The attitude Is that we can win the last five," Leibrandt said. Then he Issued another must statement: "There's no way around It.

If we lose another game we're out of It." The left-hander from Miami University will have a lot to say about the Reds' chances. Leibrandt, 3-0 against San Diego with a 1.80 earned run average, threw a three-hitter at the Padres In June. The Padres were slumping then, and slugger Dave Winfield said, "Sometimes I don't know If it's the pitcher or Just us." Leibrandt, who started the season 8-4, would like to believe it's the pitcher. "It's hard to say (why he's done so well against San Diego). They don't have a lot of power, but they have good hitters for average and they steal a lot of bases.

I can't explain It." NEITHER CAN he explain his up and down 1980. After the first month, he was 3-2 with a staff-low 2.11 ERA. He shut out the Padres in June and four-hit the Astros July 4 his last complete game. He's won only one of nine starts since. After Leibrandt gave up four runs and two walks in lp innings against the Cards Aug.

18, his assignments have come mostly out of the bullpen. "At first, I surprised myself doing so well. Now I'm coming down to earth. The year has made me think I can pitch in the major leagues. I've thrown very well against some teams and poorly against others," he said.

Leibrandt went 5 innings in a start In San Diego last week and gave up eight hits and three runs. It was another In a season of ups and downs: he pitched well except for a two-run homer by Gene Tenace and a solo shot by Gene Tenace. "I'm thankful Mac is giving me another chance," he said. "This game is kind of a second chance." REDS' NOTES-Los Angeles starts a three-game series at San Francisco tonight, while Atlanta Is at the Astrodome The Padres, who arrived in town Monday evening, had their final game of the season against the Braves rained out In Atlanta Monday afternoon Ken Griffey Is the hottest Reds' hitter. In the last 14 games, Griffey Is hitting .367 with six doubles, three triples, three homers and 12 RBIs.

important factor you send your sons there," he said. "And an opportunity to participate In athletics is Just part of going to high school. You shouldn't be deprived of that because you live across the river." Charlie Wolf, another famous St. Xavler alumnus, sent his sons including basketball and tennis players Marty and Steve to St. Xavler and now has freshman Jeff attending the North Bend Rd.

school. "There's a certain philosophy they maintain there that I like," Wolf said. "I like the feeling of it. The first, the second and third sons got a good education there and It made them better people. "IT GAVE me a broader outlook, a scholastic discipline, a mental discipline," Wolf said.

"It helped me meet people from all over the Cincinnati. When I got to college, It was more easy to adjust. And when I went into business, it was also easy because I knew so many people from the area." Part of the reason for the rule in the first place was the promote fair competition and Inhibit recruiting of athletes. "We felt it promoted unfair competition," said OHSAA commissioner Richard Armstrong. "It only takes one or two players to make an average team into a super team.

You also have to think of the other side, what of the (Ohio) family involved If one of those kids (out-of-state) replace one of their sons?" "They've Just destroyed one tradition," summed up St. Xavler basketball coach Dick Berning. "I really feel sorry for some of the people involved. It was a tradition for some in Northern Kentucky to go to St. Xavier.

It was Just not for athletics, but the non-athletes as well. "I think people point out the athletes that have played for us in the past that have come from Northern Kentucky, but I think they missed a point that for years and years we have had kids from the same family go here. Some competed and others did not compete," he said. "Once the older brothers go, the younger ones want to go, too," stressed Mrs. Menke.

"It's seems such a shame to me. That tradition has now gone down the drain." Running Backs Who Can Catch Catching Work When George Sefclk scouts running backs, he depends on film clips to find out about a guy's moves, power, speed and spiking routine. "But If I have my choice," the Cincinnati Bengals' backfleld coach said, "I want to throw him the ball myself." When Sefclk was with Baltimore In 1974, Colt running back Lydell Mitchell caught 72 passes to lead the National Football League. It was considered a fluke. No running back had ever led the league In receptions before.

But no wide receiver has led the league In receptions since. The boring little afterthought dump pass has become the most Important play In football. Running backs have led the league In receptions six straight years and held four of the top five spots In the NFL statistics at the end of Sunday's games. Two weeks ago, New York Jets' running back Clark Gaines caught 17 passes In one game. The record, set 30 years ago by Tom Fears, Is 18.

WHEN KEN Stabler was traded from Oakland to Houston In May, he was enthusiastic about the town, the team and getting away from Al Davis. But he was positively giddy about the prospect of playing catch with Earl Campbell. So far, Stabler has completed an Incredible 72 of his passes. Running backs and tight ends have accounted for 70 of his completions. Bengals' assistant general manager Mike Brown calls It "bean bag football," but he doesn't argue with the results.

"It's getting to where the importance of a running back's receiving ability Is about 50-50 with his running ability," Sefclk said. "I think zone defenses and the fear of the deep routes and the crossing patterns are responsible. The linebackers (in zone defenses) are taking such deep drops now that you have to dump off more." Sefclk Is convinced that running the football Is only the prelude to success In the NFL. "You have to be able to run the ball In this league in order to pick your situations to pass the football and get time off the clock," he said. "But you have to pass the ball to win." That helps explain why Pete Johnson, who had led the team in rushing the last three seasons, was on the bench when the season opened.

The Bengals' most consistent runner Is an Inconsistent catch. He has soft hands, but Is sometimes unable to twist his bulky body Into receiving position. He spent much of training camp watching balls bounce off his fingertips. But he has improved steadily. Sunday he caught six passes against.

Houston and now has a total of 11 receptions, which Is the same number Isaac Curtis has. "He hasn't dropped one yet," Sefclk said Monday, knocking on a locker. CHARLES ALEXANDER, who is now Johnson's running receiving mate In the Bengal backfleld, has also made steady progress. "My last year at LSU, I caught 28 passes," he said. "We ran a lot of halfback delays.

But as far as running patterns or reading defenses, I really didn't know anything. Most of the time I caught the ball standing still. Here, you catch them on the run. It doesn't seem like a big adjustment, but It Is. "It's not natural for me.

It's something that I have to work on. The important thing Is repetition. You Just have to get used to catching the football." Sure-handed running backs do not necessarily make sure-handed receivers. Tampa Bay's Jerry Eckwood, who Is one of the league's most consistent fumblers, caught 10 passes Sunday. The Jets Scott Dlerklng, who fumbled only once in 196 carries in 1979, caught only 10 passes all last season.

The Bengals' least-likely fumbler, Archie Griffin, Is also their most reliable running back receiver. It was a terrific adjustment for him (and Johnson) to come to the Bengals from Ohio State. Woody Hayes-remember almost as much about sewing patterns as he did about pass patterns. index Sports Editor FRANK HINCHEY Tel. 369-1917 (After 4 p.m.) Scores 369-1005, 369-1006 24 hours) BASEBALL C-4 COLLEGE FOOTBALL C-3 HORSE RACING C-5 PRO FOOTBALL C-4-5 VACUO St.

Tradition Dies Bitterly In N. Ky. II MM i nrpnArMinnc for I Sunday's game at rJgS lis? fx m.wm"Wum Officially, Bengals Are Losers, But Films Show Different Story BY MICHAEL PAOLERCIO Sports Reporter They send their sons to St. Xavler High School because of the academic tradition. Athletics is Just part of an education.

But that aspect was shot down Monday when visiting Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Glenn E. Delting upheld the Ohio High School Athletic Association's rule that prohibits out-of-state students from participating In high school athletics. The parents of eight Northern Kentucky students who attend St. Xavler High School were more than disappointed over the decision Monday. "WE'RE REALLY angry," said Mary Ann Menke, mother of Tom Menke, a freshman at St.

Xavier. "He's not a super-Jock. He swims a little and plays tennis. My boy Just wants to at least try out for the team." That privilege Is now gone. And so, too, a tradition that goes a long way back for the Jesuit Institution formerly located at Sixth and Sycamore Sts.

It's a tradition not built upon athletics, but academia. "His father had a Jesuit education, I had a Jesuit education and we want ihat for our sons," said Kathy Mueller, mother of St. Xavler freshmen Danny Mueller. Danny's older brother, Patrick, is a National Merit Scholarship semlflnaltst at St. Xavler, but doesn't participate in athletics.

Dan wants to swim but cannot. Ironically, he still can play in the band, which he does. "It seems a shame to me," Mrs. Menke said. "This is what made America great, that you can travel from state to state and send your sons to whereever you want to get an education.

Now it's like we're being penalized for living in Kentucky." JIM BUNNING, one of St. Xavl-er's better known graduates, termed the decision "frightening. "That's the problem in the country right now, over-regulation," Bunnlng said. The former Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies nitcher sent two of his four sons to St. Xavier.

"We really think the education you receive at St. Xavier is the most Green Bay. Enquirer photos BY MICHAEL E. KEATING that the Bengals contested. In the fourth quarter, Bengal cornerback Ken Riley stepped in front of Oiler receiver Billy Johnson for what appeared to be a certain Interception when Johnson grabbed his arm.

There was no call. "It was six," Riley said. "I had a touchdown. I was looking ahead when he Jerked my arm back. That's what a good receiver is taught to do.

I would have done the same thing to him." BENGAL NOTES-Wlde receiver Isaac Curtis took a hard hit In the back on his first reception Sunday and was unable to play In the second half. At first it was believed to be a hip pointer, but the bruise was above the hip. Gregg said he did not consider using Ken Anderson (stretched knee ligament) at quarterback, although Anderson warmed up extensively along the sidelines Sunday. "He could have played," Gregg said. "Ard I think he'll be ready to go this week." The Bengals will take an 1-3 record to Green Bay Sunday, but Gregg is encouraged by what he has seen.

"If we' continue to play the way we've been playing and things go for us Instead of against us, we could have a real good record the rest of the way." that would have kept the Oilers out of field-goal range. But had Ross not been clipped, Roaches would have been forced Inside and Into the vicinity of the Bengals' Andrew Melontree. Complaints from the film room are generally no more successful than complaints on the field. But hard evidence Is always more compelling than harsh words. In addition to the uncalled clip, the Bengals thought they were deprived of three turnovers because of alleged officiating blunders.

With first and goal at the Bengal 1-yard line late In the first half, Houston quarterback Ken Stabler and running back Tim Wilson had a mixup on the exchange and the loose ball was recovered by Bengals' defensive end Eddie Edwards. The fumble was nullified by the offside call on the right side of the Bengal line (the offender was not Identified). THE BENGALS were not convinced and also thought Oiler running back Adger Armstrong was illegally In motion on the play. The Oilers scored on the next play. Another turnover an Interception by linebacker Bo Harris was nullified by a defensive holding penalty against Reggie Williams BY TIM SULLIVAN Sports Reporter "It's always the same story," Forrest Gregg was saying.

"It may not look like it to you, but the officials are always right." The head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals said that with a smile. It was forced. The Bengal coaching staff spent most of Monday morning watching film of Sunday's 13-10 loss to the Houston Oilers. They spent a good part of Monday afternoon complaining about the officials. Special teams' coach Frank Gansz showed frame-by-frame replays of the 68-yard punt return by Houston's Carl Roaches, the play that set up the Oilers' winning field goal.

Three reporters watched carefully and all agreed that Hollywood Henderson was wrong. It was not Henderson's block that broke Roaches loose, but an uncalled clip by Oiler linebacker John Corker on the Bengals' Dan Ross. "Someone said he (Roaches) also stepped out of bounds," Gregg said gluraiy. THIS IS not to say that the Bengals didn't make mistakes on the critical play. By Gansz' count, six of his special teamers missed tackles.