New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung from New Braunfels, Texas • Page 10

4. Sports Sunday, July 26,1992 Herald-Zeitung, New Braunfels, Texas Page 10A Jones, Johnson have completed total turnover from Landry Douglas Pils Oilers, not Pokes, will reign in '92 The Dallas Cowboys are ripe for a all fall. the That's training right, a camp big one. hoopla Amid that surrounds Cowboy Central at St. Edwards, rests a huge bubble waiting to burst.

There's too much talk of "taking that next step" and "going to the Super Bowl." The Super Bowl? Let's get real here. Dallas is a lot closer to 7-9, than it is to 12-4. Don't get me wrong, the talent is there, but there are too many question marks. However, the main thing that will keep the Cowboys modest is the team's attitude. It's obvious from one trip to both the Cowboys' and Oilers' camps that 'Da Boys are a couple of years away from NFL greatness.

The Cowboys don't yet know how to deal with the concept of greatness or even the exact road to follow. In 1992, that road will lead them to tough stops with the L.A. Raiders, 'Detroit, Denver and Atlanta, not to mention traditional stops in Washington and Philadelphia. It is in these places that visions of Super Bowls will dance on the Cowboys' heads, arms, legs and every where else. All of these teams stand better chances of greatness this season, and Dallas must travel to see each of them.

The Oilers on the other hand, have dealt with the pressure of being expected to go to the Super Bowl. That is easy to see, as Houston goes about practice in a business-like fashion that is almost eerie. The Cowboys whoop and holler, as at least 5,000 fans line the fences. The Oilers draw about 300 fans and about the only sound is the occasional sonic boom of a Warren Moon pass that finds an unlucky receiver's shoulder pads. The Oilers also must travel to Detroit and Denver, but they get -hitters like Kansas City, Chicago and Buffalo at the Astrodome.

There is just a feeling that everything is falling in place. The aging offensive line is in its third year of the Run-and-Shoot and nailing it down. The trenches are even breathing new life with the likes of guard John Flannery (second round, 1991), Kevin Donnalley (third round, 1991) and tackle Mike Mooney (fourth round, 1992). There may not be a better defensive backfield and even without Sean Jones, the defensive line is a solid veteran unit. It even looks like Warren Moon's contract problems will iron out.

So, if you would like to see the best chance Texas has at a Super Bowl team in 1994 or 1995, go to Austin and watch the Cowboys learn. But if you're looking for the here and now, as in the 1993 Super Bowl in Pasadena, take the less popular trip to Trinity University and watch the Oilers fine tune their machine. The Oilers' plans to rest Moon every other morning, by keeping him out of practice is working just fine, according to Moon. "I feel good," Moon said following Friday's afternoon practice. "I threw the ball well today and I feel good with the progression I've made, in spite of all the outside distractions." Oilers linebacker Lamar Lathon was forced to undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair a lateral femoral condyle cartilage fracture in left leg.

The big linebacker is expected to miss four weeks, but head coach Jack Pardee is confident Lathon will make a strong return. "Lamar's always been a quick healer, so hopefully we'll get him back for the last preseason game," Pardee said. "You never want an injury to happen, but it's better now than in the middle of the season." The Cowboys and the Oilers scrimmage tonight in Austin at Burger Stadium, Game time is set for 6:00 and there will be a autograph session at 5:30 with Cowboy players and cheerleaders. Tickets to the scrimmage are $5, $7, $12, $15 and $16 and are available by calling 1-800-966-SHOW or 512-416-STAR. To get to Burger Stadium, take Interstate 35 to Ben White Boulevard and take a left under the bridge.

At the intersection of Hwy's. 290 and 360, go up the overpass and turn right to loop onto 290 West. The Burger Center will be two miles down the road on the left. By DENNE H. FREEMAN AP Sports Writer USTIN (AP) Why does the changeover in the A Dallas history? Cowboys organization seem like ancient Has it really only been 3 years since the Cowboys changed forever in a violent overthrow of the old guard? Didn't it really happen about the time Catherine the Great ruled Russia? The Tom Landry era is not only over, but memories of the two Super Bowl triumphs two decades ago have faded.

Landry predicted the fans and the media would forget him quickly. He was right again. The hot: and humid St. Edwards University training camp has taken root in just three short years as a popular home for the Cowboys of Jimmy Johnson. The cool Thousand Oaks summer home of Landry and the Cowboys is a far away memory.

Just about every holdover vestige of the Landry days has been erased. Out with the old and on with the new in the NFL's everchanging personnel tides. Crusty Buck Buchanan still takes care of the equipment and Marge Boatwright, secretary to Landry, works for Johnson. But there are no coaching holdovers. Bob Ackles, director of player personnel, was fired in the offseason and Dick Mansperger, college scouting director, quit to go into private business.

Stephen Jones, son of owner Jerry, is handling the Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones have turned the Cowboys into a playoff contender after dicarding all of the Landry Era. (Photos by John Huseth) contracts and Larry Lacewell has taken Mansperger's job. Austin is agog again over its rejuvenated Cowboys. A successful 11-5 season and a playoff has won over the once pro-Landry faction. Owner Jones and Johnson deserve credit for gambling on leaving the Cowboys' old Thousand Oaks base, but it has paid big dividends.

Press coverage has increased, thus hyping the anticipation over the new season from a team that surprised the NFL with a playoff appearance in 1991. Large, adoring crowds attend each practice session in an atmosphere that resembles a country, outdoor carnival. Corporations pour money in the Cowboys coffers for training camp seating privileges. Even that old Cowboy hero Roger Staubach has put his stamp of approval on this new version. "I've become a big fan of this he said last week, making his first appearance at the St.

Edwards training camp. "I didn't want to be against the Cowboys. I'm grateful to Tom and Tex Schramm but this is the future. If you burn bridges then life doesn't Staubach, a Dallas-based developer, also added with a grin: "It doesn't hurt the real estate business in Dallas either when the Cowboys The Cowboys are back among the NFL's elite, but only the star on the helmet and the team colors remain the same. EDITOR'S NOTE Denne H.

Freeman has been covering sports in Texas for The Associated Press since FACES OF DETERMINATION NATION the Dallas Cowboys' and Houston Oilers' training camps heated up last week, so did the emotions. Fights were common when the Raiders were in to scrimmage against the Cowboys. mild-mannered Russell Maryland, Dallas' pick in 1991, was involved in a brief with Raiders' guard Steve Wisnewski. teams carry their emotions to Japan this as the teams will play an exhibition game August 9 at 9 p.m. on ESPN.

Ag Doug Smith, Oiler defensive tackle, beats the heat. Photos by John Huseth 8 The Cowboys' Troy Aikman is out to prove he can play an entire season injury-free and break away from his Ache-man nickname. Al Davis, Raiders' owner, prowls the sidelines in a hot warmup suit. Oiler guard, Doug Dawson breaks up a scuffle between two of his teammates. 1967.

A especially Austin Even No. 1 scuffle The week, in Tokyo, Gotcha! Gale Pospisll, a vocal real estate appraiser, holds up a 22-Inch flounder she caught near the Intracoastal Waterway In Corpue Christi. 99 Maryland walks off the field after a tough practice. Guada-Coma All-Star team wins championship The Guada-Coma All-Star Team 141 won the 14-and-under age division of the Centex All-Star Volleyball Tournament held in Georgetown, July 17-18. The bracket had nine teams from the Central Texas area.

Pool play was held Friday night and Saturday morning, with championship play beginning Saturday afternoon. Team 141 played six matches and won every one. The team was the only. undefeated team in the their age group. Team 141 was made up of players entering the ninth grade at Canyon, New Braunfels, San Marcos and Smithson Valley High Schools, The team was coached by Alma Martinez.

Also competing in the 14-and-under division was Guada-Coma Team 143, a team made up of girls from New Braunfels, Canyon, Seguin and Smithson Valley, The team won the consolation bracket, Team members are Jenni Barber, Roxi Blue, Monica Cruz, Christina Morales, Trisha Pantermuehl, Amanda Rich, Amanda Simons, Anna Lisa Vargas, Arianne Wetz and Koryn Wunderlich. The team was coached by Robyn Wunderlich. In the 16-and-under division, Guada-Coma Team 161 finished first in pool play and finished second in the tourney after a threegame loss to Cen-Tex Red in the championship game. Team members are Bonnie Byas, Courtney Caddell, Christina Crayton, Courtney Daffin, Heather Jones, Terri Tuch, Sara Tyler, and Kristi Welch. The team was coached by Pam Gill.

The team was made up of girls from San Marcos, Tony Tony Casillas heads to the locker room after a hot practice. Team 141, the 14-and-under Champions, celebrate after its victory by showing off its medals. The team and coaches are (front, I-r) Alma Martinez (coach), Jinny Barranco, Misty Boenig, Corby Collins, Belinda Byas, (middle) Anne Weisman (parent coach) Kim Brunette, Tina Lindeman (parent coach), (back) Brandi Chapman, Jamie Falkenberg, Elizabeth Weisman, Kristi Lindeman and Cheryl Janysek. Canyon, Smithson Valley and New Braunfels. In the 18-and-under division, Guada-Coma 181 finished first in pool play and third overall in the tournament.

Team members are Becky Kaufmann, Jennifer Kiolbassa, Adrienne Wittenborn, Audrey Allen, Kayelyn Moehrig, Taysha Porter, Tammie Michelson, Lawren Klein, Catherine McBride, Jo Anna Farr, Diana Sollz and Kim Simon. The team was coached by Jody Tyler and was made up girls from San Marcos, Canyon, Smithson Valley and New Braunfels..