The Town Talk from Alexandria, Louisiana • Page 11

Sku.iCN A PAGE ELEVEN ALEXANDRIA DAILY TOWN TALK, ALEXANDRIA-PINEVILLE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 1971 Walet Foresakes Pro Grid mi mi is the third ia a Krita artirlei aa lormrr McNrtw Stale alhlelie jrrau. Today's ankle is aa Mrrlia Haiti, a former Cowboy star running back. I scrimmages but came the day for the last cut and he was gone. The same thing happened in 1969 in a tryout with Green Bay. Walet made headlines in pre season camp but the team was loaded with such backs as Donny Anderson, Jim Grabrowski and Travis Williams and again he was cut.

"Merlin had the ability to make the pros," Les DeVall, Walet's coach in college, said. Jl P'view Calvary Net Church Wins Parkview Baptist beat Emmanuel Baptist 15-3 and Calvery Baptist came across with six "but he never seemed to be In the right place at the right time. "He had all the credentials of a pro player. He was a good blocker, an excellent runner and he had good hands. He could play fullback as well as running back and had a knack for finding the hole in the line.

"In my nine years at McNeese, he was one of the better backs I coached." Walet's career at McNeesfe spanned three years, from 1963 to 1965. He was a slot-back on the 1S63 unit that went undefeated in eight ball games and in 1964 he was mainly used as a blocking back. His final season, however, saw him develop into one of the best running backs around as he led the Gulf States Conference in rushing with 914 yards on 182 carries. Also that year he had what he considers his best collegiate game. It was a November 6 playing date with Northwestern State in Natchitoches and all he did was carry the footbalt 30 times for a net 159 yards; and score three touchdowns in-the fourth quarter to give the' Cowboys a 28-21 victory over the Demons.

His outstanding professional game came in 1969 when he was with Wheeling. In a contest against Michigan, Walet chalked up 145 yards rushing, caught four passes for 120 yards and scored all three touchdowns in his team's 21-17 victory. runs in the seventh inning to defeat Horseshoe Methodist 14-10 in Church League Softball. to play professional football and 1970 might have been my last if I hadn't been offered the coaching job." Walet will be heading for training camp July 39 and the team's first game will be played in the middle of August. The season will be his sixth of professional ball and the team will also be his sixth.

Right after completing his eligibility at McNeese State in 1965, Walet was drafted by and signed with the Los Angeles Rams and he also tried out with Denver and Green Bay. However, by the time the season would get underway, he had been cut and was holding down a position on some minor league team. Biggest Mistakes As a minor league back Walet has been one of the best and his career has included stints with the Wheeling (West Virginia) Ironmen, where he was the league's outstanding player, leading ground gainer and scorer in 1969, the Jersey City Tigers and now the Columbus Bucks. "Probably the biggest mistake I made was signing with Los Angeles," he said. "I had also been drafted by Denver but decided to sign with Los Angeles." Walet had been drafted by Harlan Suarve, the head coach at Los Angeles during drafting time, but by the time he got there George Allen had taken over as head coach and he was interested in proven running backs and not rookies So, Walet shuffled off to Denver where he proved what he could do and was a standout in numerous pre season LAKE CHARLES, La.

-After several years of knocking around in various professional football leagues, Merlin Walet, one of the most pow-e 1 running backs in McNeese State history, is at a crossroad and he believes he knows what direction he'll be taking. "I'm not kidding myself," he said between classes at McNeese State where he's completing work on his bachelor's degree. "I've enjoyed playing professional football but I've just about given up hope of making it with a major league team. I'm getting tooold and once you've passed 25 they don't give you too many chances. "Coaching is the route I ho to eventually take and that's why I'm here trying to finish up my degree requirements.

I've learned a lot of football and I think I could be a good coach." Feared Runner Walet, who was one of the most feared runners in the Gulf States Conference when he was "line busting" for the Cowboys in the mid-1960s, has at least one more year of professional football remaining as he has signed on as fullback and backfield coach with the Columbus (Ohio) Bucks of the Midwest Football League for 1971. "I'm looking forward to the season," he said, "but each year it gets harder to get into shape. Actually, what I'm really looking forward to is coaching this year. "This could be my last year illlBSgilllililB Parkview was led by David Carlton with a home run and single. Claude Rabon had two hits and Jim Adams had a two-bagger.

For Emmanuel Rodney Davenport had two hits, including a home run. Leading Calvery. Joey Clyde, Bill Morris and Bruce Kinder each had two hits, including Kinder's home run. For Horseshoe, William S. Zachary had three hits, Jerrel Goldman tripled and Don Willis had a pair of safeties.

FINAL TOUCH Buddy Baker of Charlotte, N.C., lends a helping hand to teammate Richard Petty prior to the 13th running of the Medal of Honor Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, July 4 at 10 a.m. Baker will be at the wheel of the Petty Enterprises Dodge and Richard will handle the new Plymouth from the same stable. Official qualifying runs begin Thursday, July 1. GOLF AWARDS NEW YORK (UPl)-Sam Youth Baseball Donaldson In Champion Flight In Junior Tourney CROWLEY, La. (AP) Sammy Trahan of New Orleans today held a one-stroke lead as the second round opened in the Louisiana Junior Golf Champion- Snead and Tom Harmon will receive awards for their long and meritorius service at the seventh All-American collegiate golf dinner to be held July 20 at the Americana Hotel.

Snead, 61, won more than 115 championships since turning professional in 1934, and Harmon, winner of the Masters in 1948, earned fame as an instructor. game were doubles by Jay Smith and Mike Painteo of Wilshire Park, while in the night AIR CONDITIONING CLEANING SERVICING All Makes and Models Units $12.50 Centrals $15.00 UNIVERSAL CO. Call 443-2743 or 445-1164 cap Tom Walker had two hits and Robert Waddell doubled for Walker Farms. ship. Trahan carded a two-over-par Civitan Minor A.

The Braves beat the Tigers 14-8 and the Cubs took out the Major Leaders Dixie Seniors shut out American Legion 4-0 and Hub City scored four runs in the fifth to pull out a 6-5 win over Wellan's. Paul Jarred had two hits for American Legion and leading was Bob Watts with a pair. Doubles by Greg Miller and Ben Hooker led Wellan's, while a pair of singles by Wayne Mathews and Glen Cortello's double led Hub City. Dixie Youth Alexandria Alexandria Optimist got behind Pat Lemoine's three hits to defeat Cosmo 8-4 and American Legion shut out 12-0. Cards 11-7.

A double and single by Gary Johnson and Mark Fruge and a triple and single by David Mah-fouz were the leading Brave 69 Tuesday to pace the 150 entries in the first round of the 54-hole tournament. Anthony Sanchez of Gretna was second at 70, followed by Donovan Ferguson of Lafayette and Jack Hunnicutt of Monroe, each with 71s. Others in the championship flight included: 72 Hall Pike III, Randy Simmons and Timothy Carlton, all of Shreveport; Lyle Pan-epinto, Marrero. can By United Press International Leading Batters National League G. AB R.

H. Pet. Leading hitter for Cosmo was Torre, St.L 78 303 48 Davis, LA 76 303 50 Beckt, Chi 73 293 47 Brock, St. 75 306 56 Garr, Atl 78 322 56 Mark Busby with two hits. CORD TIRES YLON No player in the second game had two or more hits nor did 113 .373 109 .360 102 .348 105 .329 106 .329 85 .322 69 .322 78 .321 83 .317 79 .317 Clmte, Pitt they have an extra-base hit.

The standings: Weiss Gold-ring (10-2) leads Tasty Meats (9-4) by a game and half in the 67 264 41 57 214 28 66 243 37 64 262 48 68 249 50 Pepit, Chi May, Cin Cash, Pitt Starg, Pitt American League, followed by Telephone Pioneers (3-10) and Al American League 73: Buddy Donaldson, Alexandria; Clyde Johnson, Den-ham Springs; Warren Ganken-dorf, Lafayette; Al Porretto, Gretna; Chuck Sawyer, Mansfield; Jerry Pettitt, Shreveport. 74: Steve Hanson, Spring-hill; Art Ley, Lafayette; Al Watts and Scott Rabenhorst, both of Baton Rouge. 75: Tim Cain, Shreveport; Steven Saucier, Eunice; Tom Lout, Covington; David Briggs, Baton Rouge. 76: Steven Martin, Baton Rouge; Randy Hollowell, Shreveport; Carl Johnson, Covington, Wayne Bostick, Brown Roberts (2-ll). La.

in AB R. H. Pet. dustries has already clinched 269 51 101 .375 the National League title with an 11-3 record. Battling for second place are La.

Tire and Ser 68 74 63 70 68 261 44 89 .341 205 40 68 .332 264 36 83 .314 269 44 83 .309 vice (7-5) and Blackman's (7-7), while Downtown Optimist is try Oliva, Minn Murcer, NY Kaline, Dfet Rojas, KC Buford, Bait Otis, KC Reicht, Chi FRbsn, Bit White, NY Tovar, Minn May, Mil I ing to move out of the cellar 50 13 blackwall tubeless plus $176 with its 3-10 record. hits, while Jerry Hoggart and Mark Lonsberry each had two hits and Mark Courtney tripled for the Tigers. For the Cubs, Butch Maddox tripled and Robert Wilmore hit a two-bagger. The Cards were led by Mark King with two hits. Girls Softball Alexandria Holiday Inn beat Martin Building Materials 13-8, Tom's Peanuts took out Alexandria City Police 10-6, Guy Porto defeated Homer Gahn 11-1 and Thompson Insurance clipped Winnfield Federal 11-1.

Brenda Fain and Ruby Burns each had two hits, including home runs, for Thompson's Insurance. Leading Porto was Julia Parker with a triple and Julia LaCroix with a two-bagger. Leading Tom's was Renee Sparrow with two hits, while for Holiday Inn the leading hitter was Eva Mott with a double. Pineville The Dictators beat the Red Devils 13-1 and Twin City Carpet stopped Ingram's Shopping Center 38-3. Ginger Lachney, Linda Bro-sette, Debra Paddie and Donna Lynn each doubled for the Dictators.

Nancy Kelley doubled for the Devils. Home runs by Frazilia Wig-gins, Edna Mimes, Faye Mimes, Betty Sharbono, Connie Freels and a grand slam homer by Rose Monette led Twin City. Shirley Lemoine homered for Ingram's. In the minor league, Blake Fd. Ex.

Tax per tire and four old tires 269 44 83 .309 221 24 68 .308 215 38 66 .307 223 35 66 .296 303 42 89 .294 238 35 70 .294 68 59 60 63 73 67 "ALL-WEATHER DC Hardwood and are now WHITEWALLS $4.00 more per tirt tied for first with (9-4 records), followed by American Legion FOR (BO ANY OF THESE SIZES-ONE 7.75x14 LOW PRICE 8 25X 14 Everyday low prices Clean sidewall design, radial darts on shoulder Triple-tempered nylon cord construction 3 WAYS TO CHARGE ls-jl Ivjxsl 1l i Blackwall tubeless plus $2.14 to $2.32 Fed. Ex. Tax per tire (depending on size) and four old tires WHITEWALIS 13.00 more each ABOVE BANK CREDIT CARDS HONORED AT GOODYEAR SERVICE STORES AND MOST GOODYEAR DEALERS. GREAT TIRE EVERYDAY LOW PRICES FOR (6-6), Cosmos (6-7), Alexandria Optimists (5-7) and Wellans (3-10). Pineville Colfax Creosoting scored seven runs the fifth inning to defeat Pineville Lions 9-5 and VFW scored once in the fifth to clip R'W Contractors 9-8.

Gene Hearn had three hits, Randy Lay two safeties and Rex Heffington a two-bagger in leading Colfax. J. L. Hayes had two hits and Gary Moore a triple for the Lions. The big hits in the second game were Eddie Murphy and Joe Hassel's doubles.

Ward 10 Poultry beat Gunter Eggs 12-4 and Tioga Merchants edged Major Credit 9-8. Ken Sasser pitched a no-hitter Slocum, Transfer Hold Positions Slocum Construction continued to hold down first place in Men's Slow Pitch Softball by defeating Waters 15-9 and Alexandria Transfer was able to hold down second place by gaining a forfeit from the Larks Tuesday night. In the other game played Tuesday night, Walding beat Perking 12-6. Camille Gravel had three doubles and a single, Don Bates had three hits, including a triple and double for Waters. Home runs for John Day and Alen Walding and the three hits by Bill Cespiva led Walding past Perking.

Chester Cassell and David Owens had three hits and Charles McArthur had a triple for Perking. VERS 7 ffc! It PI I IP Imji NYLON CORD g0 i L. Rib Ki-Miler 1 Si 2 ST Fort III ind old tin I f2795 7 00 1 16 tube triM Plul 13.01 Fed. Fi. Til and old tirt Home Runs National League: Stargell, Pitt 28; Aaron, Atl 22; May, Cin 20; Bench, Cin 18; Bonds, 17.

American League: Oliva, Minn 18; Cash, Det 17; Melton, Chi and Jackson, Oak 16; Smith, Bos 15. Runs Batted In National League: Stargtell, Pitt 79; Aaron, Atl 60; Santo, Chi 59; Torre, St.L 56; May, Cin 48. American League: Killebrew, Minn 55; Powell, Bait and Oliva, Minn 49; F. Robinson, Bait 48; B. Robinson, Bait, Petrocelli, Bos and Bando, Oak 47.

Pitching National League: Ellis, Pitt 12-3; Carlton, St.L 11-4; Jenkins, Chi 11-7; Seaver, NY 10-3; Dierker, Hou 10-4; Marichal, Sf 10- 5. American League: Blue, Oak 16-3; McNally, Bait 12-4; Cuellar, Bait 11-1; Sicbert. Bos 11- Lolich, Det and Perry, Minn 11-6. I RE 7 1 tuba .40 III nui u. Fed Ei Tit and old tirt USE OUR RAIN CHECK PROGRAM: Because of an expected heavy demand for Goodyear tires, we may run rut of some sizes during this offer, but we will be happy to order your size tire at the tdvertlsed price and issue you rain check for fututt delivery of the merchandise.

4 Aaron Wants Relief From Swelling Knee HOUSTON (AP) Atlanta Braves slugger Hank Aaron THE ONLY MAKER OF POI.YGl ASTIRFS AUTO I says he plans to check into a CHECK-UP SNAP-BACK ENGINE TUE-U? INCLUDES ALL LABOR AND PARTS i i Cleveland Rookie Back Dies of Chest Wound KANSAS CITY (AP) No charges have been filed in the fatal shooting early Tuesday of Larry Roberts, 22, a professional football player who was to have reported to the Cleveland Browns rookie camp July 11. The prosecutor has turned the case over to the grand jury for investigation. Roberts died of a bullet wound in the lower chest. Willie Earl Minis, 33, told authorities Roberts attempted to farce his way into the Minis home about 1:30 a.m. Minis said he frightened away two other men who had been with Roberts outside his home.

Roberts was a running back at Central Missouri State College at Warrensburg and played in preseason games last year with Winnipeg in the Canadian League. hospital after the season ends for treatment of a knee ailment. Aaron, who has been bothered by a constant swelling in his left knee since spring training, says he wants to "see why this fluid keeps coming back. My knee is starting to balloon up" again tonight." NURMI VISIT HELSINKI (UPI) Paavo Nurmi, one of the greatest distance runners of all times with nine Olympic gold medals during the 1920's, has accepted an invitation to visit the 1972 Olympic games in Munich. OUR AIR-CONDITIONING SPECIALISTS: Insprct tooling system coils Check compressor lnspiT.1 all belts Check head pressure Inspect elcctricaluomponcnts ONLY $095 0 Including up lo 2 lbs.

of Freon if needed parts labor extra If repair needed call for an Appointment nowl CI UJ. 6euCto Add $4 for and he and teammate James Smith led his team in hitting with a double and triple, respectively. The Merchants were led by Mike Edwards with a triple and Kevin Tullos had two hits, including a triple, and Jay Koonce had two doubles. Dixie Boys Ward 10 Howdie Doo'Jie and Hub City fought to a fi-6 tie and VFW beat North Bayou Rapides 5-1. Bubba Roslo had two hits and Leonard Lemons doubled for Howdie Doodle for the big hits of that.

game. In the second game, Buddy Fountain and Ray Varnell each had two hits. Alexandria First Federal scored a 4-3 win over Roy O. Martin and VFW took out Kinder Paint 12-5. The big blows in the doub-leheader were by Mike Mikell of Kinder Paint with a double and Tim Powell's triple and Robbin Bordelon's double and Lloyd Micheals' two hits for VFW.

Little League Wilshire Park stopped Professional Pharmacy 18-3 and Walk IjUUJJJM i PHONE RHONE For A Loan! FRANKLIN FINANCE CO. PHONE 442-7761 1100 4th St. Behind Kreu SB I aaan aa suiDntur aT SYRACUSE BOUND NEW YORK (UPD-The New York Yankees sent shortstop Frank Baker to Syracuse of the International League on a 24-hour recall basis after he struck out three times on Monday night to lower his batting average to .129. Clod OQ (2 flu er Farms edged Weiss Gold-ring 10-8. The big blows of the first aw I waljaa.