Stevens Point Journal from Stevens Point, Wisconsin • Page 9

Steuras Joint Journal Saturday, August 22, 1981 Panther football team shoots for front seat in Valley 'In the first five weeks of conference another when it comes to a letter. If they contribute in any way, they get a letter. God blesses some more than others with ability but ability isn't the only criterion for receiving a letter." The Panthers have gone through training with only one serious injury thus far. Junior guard-linebacker John Hintz broke a small bone in his right leg and will be out from four to six weeks. "That certainly is a big loss," said Fitzgerald.

"John loves to play football and when a guy who loves the game is deprived of the opportunity to play, it has an aching effect on everyone." After hosting La Crosse Central, the Panthers will travel to Oshkosh West for another non-conference game on Sept 4 before hosting Everest in their first Valley game on Sept. 11. Fitzgerald's assistant coaches again this year are Dale Huebner, defensive coordinator, and Bill Blake, line coach. Jim Biser coaches the junior varsity and George Roman coaches the sophomore team, assisted by Tim Siebert and Mike Riley. A By JIM KRUEGER Journal Sports Writer Stevens Point Area Senior High football coach Jerry Fitzgerald compares this year's Wisconsin Valley Conference race to a bus with three seats.

"Schofield D.C. Everest, Merrill and Wisconsin Rapids are in the front seat," he said, "We're in the second seat with Antigo, Wausau West and Marshfield, and Rhinelander and Wausau East are in the third seat. "If someone gets out of their seat, another team will be right there to grab it. Our goal is to ride in the front seat." As the Panthers prepare for their season opener at home next Friday against La Crosse Central, their main concern is getting ready to make a challenge for that front seat. Last season, all that prevented SPASH from occupying the front of the bus was a 13-7 loss to Valley champion Wisconsin Rapids.

The Panthers were 7-1 in the league and 8-1 overall. But 35 players graduated from last year's squad, leaving Fitzgerald with some big holes to fill. "When you lose 35 seniors like we did, its difficult to determine in a little over a week of practice who your top people are at each position. Right now, we can't be measured in the same class as Everest, Merrill and Rapids. "How good we will be is up to the kids.

as I call them, the jury. The jury left on August 10 and I doubt if it will come back in for five weeks. By then we will be able to decide whether we are a good football team or a very good one. 1981 SPASH football schedule Friday, Aug. a host Crosse Central (NC), Friday, Sept 4 at Oshkosb West (NC), 7:90 pjn.

Friday, Sept 11 host Schofield, 7: 30 p.m. Friday, Sept at Wausau West, 7:30 pjn. Friday, Sept. 25 hast Rhinelander, 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct.

1 at Wis. Rapids, 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. host Merrill, Friday, Oct. Friday, Oct 23 host Wausau East, 7 :30 pjn.

Friday, Oct 30 at enough hitting to' determine where people will play. "Hopefully, we won't have too many two-way people. Right now, there are a number because of their ability. I hope we can improve the performance of some of the youngsters so they can meet thetest. "The juniors are scrimmaging at Stratford this weekend so that will give me an opportunity to evaluate their play outside of what they did their sophomore year.

"I hope to find another dozen youngsters who will fit into our plans. I'm especially looking for guys to play on the specialty teams." Fitzgerald has 38 seniors and 27 juniors in camp and he considers all the seniors who were on the team their junior year as lettermen. "Any youngster that contributes to the team receives a letter," Fitzgerald said. "I'm a firm believer that if a guy participates in his junior year and helps build the team, he ought to have the privilege of wearing a varsity letter. I don't recognize one kid over 1981 SPASH roster NO.

NAME HT. WT. YR. POS. 59 Dean Landowski t-0 185 12 T-K 5 Pete Moss 6-1 180 12 SE 60 Gerald Worzella 5-10 165 12 LB 12 Dave Molski (-3 185 11 QB 61 JohnO'Bremski 5- 8 160 11 14 Randy Gibb 5-8 165 12 QB 63 Pat Mallek 5- 9 165 12 15 Joe Gruber 5- 9 167 12 QB 65 Dean Pieczynski 6- 0 180 12 LB 20 Chris Strike 5-10 150 11 DB 66 Roger Roth 5-11 185 12 21NeilBrozik 5-10 150 11 DB 67 Mark Fabiano 5-10 175 12 23 Kevin Zynda 5-8 155 11 DB 68MarkGremmer 6- 0 165 11 24 Kirk Ermatinger 6-0 165 12 DB 69 Dave Guzman 6- 3 205 12 25 Dan Olds 5- 8 170 12 DB 72 Chris Sowinski 5-10 185 11 30PatFreund 5-10 150 11 DB 73 Tim Burke 6- 2 180 11 31 Dave Oliver 6-0 175 11 DB 74KirkSchank 6- 3 180 11 32 Frank Flowerett 5-9 165 12 FB 75NeilZdroik 6-0 180 11 33 Kevin Knuese 5-8 170 11 HB 76 Ron Hintz 8- 1 220 12 34JeffKochinski 5-10 160 11 HB 77 Scott Schneeberg 6- 3 220 12 35 Greg Ross 5- 8 160 11 HB 78MarkPistano 6- 2 225 12 36 Duane Keip 6- 0 175 12 HB 40 Robert Stroik 5-10 160 11 HB la0 DB.

41 Marty Page 5-9 165 12 HB "UunWolle 6-2 170 11 42 Rick Chojnacki 5-9 170 11 FB 2Bnan Burant 6-0 175 12 43JohnFirnett 6- 0 160 12 DB 84 Sam Heimlich 5-11 165 11 44 Brett Grawey 5- 160 12 FB 85 Dennis Uterski 6-0 175 12 45 Craig Borchardt 6-1 155 12 DB 86 Shawn Kottke 6-0 170 12 46JeffKuplic 5-9 170 11 DB 87CraigKuhls 5-11 165 11 48 John Hintz 6-1 185 11 88KimKoback 5-11 160 11 50 Aubrey Fish 5-9 165 11 Bruce Przybylski 6- 0 170 12 52KyleKoziczkowski 5-10 170 11 90JeHPeplinski 5- 9 165 12 DB 53 Mark Button 6-3 210 12 Dennis Wojciechowski 6-0 224 12 DB 54 Jim Piotrowski 5-10 190 12 Paul Van Prooyen 6- 3 207 11 55 Fred Peters 5-10 170 12 JohnThiel 5-9 155 11 56 Scott Zorn 5-9 170 12 Scott Eiden 5-9 160 12 57 Mike Pionek 6- 2 220 12 MikeBemke 5-10 150 12 58 Steve Kluge 5-10 190 12 LB Managers Rob Everman, Eric Andersen. Jerry Fitzgerald Chojnacki and Kevin Knuese. Top senior line candidates are Jim Piotrowski and Scott Zorn at center, Steve Kluge, Jerry Worzella, Dean Pieczynski, Roger Roth, Mark Fabiano and Pat Mallek at guard and Ron Hintz, Mike Pionek, Scott Schneeberg, Mark Pistano, Mike Woyak and Dave Guzman at tackle. Seniors vying for berths at end are Todd Barnes, Pete Moss, Bruce Przybylski, Dennis Literski, Shawn Kottke and Brian Burant. Dean Landowski is the top punter.

Fitzgerald listed only the offensive personnel because "right now we're running a couple of different groups on defense," he said. "We haven't had (oosman provides quick relief 0F i "We tried to play like hell on the road to get off to a good start and bring some enthusiasm for this opening game," Rodgers said. "We battled like hell, but we still lost it. It hurts. A loss to anyone hurts at this point.

"We didn't expect to sweep Minnesota because they're an easy club. They're not," he said. "They came out swinging. But we still expect to win two out of three in this series. "We only have 22 home games the second half of the season," he said.

"I'd be disappointed if we didn't win 14 of them. I certainly think we have to play better than .500 ball, which is all we've been playing the last three or four years at home." The Twins built a 7-1 lead with help of a three-run homer by Ron Jackson off loser Mike Caldwell, 8-6. Winner Al Williams had retired 13 batters in succession until doubles by Roy Howell and Cecil Cooper and a single by Ben Oglivie pulled the Brewers to within 7-3 in the sixth. A single by Jim Gantner, a throwing error by reliever Doug Corbett and a single by Howell made it 7-4 in the eighth, bringing on Koosman. A wild pitch, an infield out and a single by Oglivie scored two more runs, but Gor play, we take on Everest, Wausau West, Rapids and Merrill.

By then, we'll know where we stand." Fitzgerald rates Everest, Merrill and Wisconsin Rapids as the teams in the front of the bus because of the recent past records of those schools' sophomore teams. "Those records are usually a good predictor," he said, "and those teams had the finest sophomore programs in the Valley the last two years. But we're not very far behind them. "Based on the talent of Everest, Rapids and Merrill, it's hard to believe one of those teams can get by the other two and the rest of the Valley unbeaten. "On paper, I don't think I've ever seen the Valley so top-heavy.

The team that keeps its people injury-free and plays errorless football will be the one that most likely comes out on top." With less than two weeks of practice time in, Fitzgerald was unable to list even a tentative lineup. "We aren't even close to settling on anything," he said. "I can't say that we're even down to a couple of people at each position. "There are 22 spots open, excluding specialty teams, and there are some seniors who certainly are favored to receive a starting assignment. But most of the spots are wide open." At quarterback, battling for the starting nod are seniors Randy Gibb and Joe Gruber, and junior Dave Molski.

In the running back picture are seniors Brett Grawey Duane Keip, Kirk Ermatinger, Frank Flowerette and Marty Page, along with juniors Rick both sides in the contract dispute had to share the blame for the strike, including the owners "because they promote these big players to get the crowds and then the other players have to try to get something, too." Marta Close of Milwaukee, like many parents at the game, had her children in tow as she looked for their upper box seats. She said the players had every right to stage their walkout. "I feel they're like any other unionized people and shouldn't behave any differently," he said. Several fans predicted any remaining animosities from the strike would be wiped out if the team ends up in a pennant race. "I've heard a few say they won't come back," said Mike Walczak, 22, of Brook-field.

"It's just temper. If they're sports enthusiasts, they'll be back." The theory seemed to be proven within two innings Friday night, as the stands erupted with cheering when Ted Simmons belted a Milwaukee home run to tie the score at 1-1. The enthusiam caught Brewer General Manager Harry Dalton as he collected some refreshments from a counter at the press box. "All right, Teddy baby," Dalton shouted before regaining his composure and joking that, "I'm not supposed to yell. It's been so long." Buck Rodgers, the Brewer manager, had said before game time that he anticipated "a lot of cheering and no boos." "I haven't hjone letter from an in www i Raiders can't depend on reputation in AFC West MELANCHOLY MIKE Milwaukee Brewers starter Mike Caldwell wore a glum look after failing to get Pete Mackanin of Minnesota on an infield grounder in the second inning of Friday night's game.

The Twins won, 7-6. (AP photo) Ted Simmons' 10th homer in the Brewers' second tied at 1-1 The Twins made it 4-1 with three runs in the third after Engle doubled and Robin Yount fumbled Hatcher's grounder for an error. With two out, Jackson lined a 2-1 pitch into the left field seats just inside the line, his fourth homer of the year. "I was trying to get a pitch to hit the other way," Jackson said. "He (Caldwell) was throwing me the other way, but then he tried to sneak a fast ball inside and I was lucky to hit it out.

It's just a reaction. If I had been looking to pull it, I probably would have hit it foul." The Twins scored three more times in the sixth to lead 7-1. Butch Wynegar and Jackson singled, and the runners advanced on a sacrifice. Danny Goodwin slapped a ground RBI single past Yount in a drawn-in Milwaukee infield for one run, chasing Caldwell, and Goodwin took second on the throw to the plate. Ward singled up the middle off Buster Keeton to score two more runs.

Jackson has three game-winning runs batted in this season, all against the Brewers. He singled home the only run in a 1-0 Twins' victory over Caldwell June 8, then doubled in the decisive run to beat the Brewers' Jim Slaton the following night. Gene Upshaw and Art Shell are in their 15th and 14th pro seasons, respectively. But the experience proved to be an advantage rather than a liability in 1980. Linebacker Ted Hendricks, 33, is the Raiders' oldest defensive starter and he's coming off one of his best seasons.

Seven starters are 27 or younger including Hayes, 25. San Diego's Jefferson, the wide receiver who snared 82 passes last year, gained 1,340 yards. Charlie Joiner and tight end Kellen Winslow also had over 1,000 yards on receptions. Jefferson was Fouts' most dangerous tool on the offense which gained a record 6,410 yards and could be even stronger this year if everyone is available and healthy and the running attack, with rookie James Brooks joining Chuck Muncie, improves. Veteran tackle Russ Washington is trying to come back from a serious knee injury.

Kansas City chose two right ends, Willie Scott of South Carolina and Marvin Harvey of Southern Mississippi, early in the draft in an attempt to fill one need. Coach Marv Levy hopes for no recurrence of last season's injury problems, which struck the offensive line particularly hard. There were several unhappy players in Denver's training camp this summer because of contract hassles, and linebacker Rob Swenson and premier placekicker Fred Steinfort refused to report to camp. Reeves has picked his former Dallas teammate, 38-year-old Craig Morton, over Matt Robinson as No.l quarterback. Seattle, which fell to 4-12 after two straight 9-7 seasons, has in UCLA Ail-American Kennv Easlev a Dlaver con sidered one of the best defensive backs to ever come out of college football.

He joins a defensive which allowed 408 yards, most in the AFC, last season. "We won't go into this year thinking of last year," says Coach Jack Para. man Thomas grounded into an inning-ending double play. Koosman walked Don Money with two out in the ninth, and then struck out pinch-hitter Sal Bando on three pitches. "I'm not used to the bullpen as far as getting loose quickly," Koosman said.

"I program myself as a starter. The routine is different. It was especially tough getting ready quickly tonight because I had a bad outing in Detroit Monday. I didn't throw naturally that night, and I was stiff and sore tonight. "It took me an inning to get used to the mound," he said.

"But when I went back out in the ninth, I was ready. There was no one on base and I was warmed up when the first batter came up." "When he went out there in the ninth, he looked like a different pitcher than he had in the eighth," Rodgers said. "Koosman got a history of closing out the ninth well as a starter," he said. "He got a reputation as a good finishing pitcher. He's a guy you like to see for you in the ninth because of his experience.

He's tough and he comes at you." The Twins took a 1-0 first inning lead when Gary Ward bunted for a hit, stole second and came home on a bloop single by Dave Engle and a double play grounder by Mickey Hatcher. Seattle Seahawks, a disappointing 4-12, were the only team in the division under .500. Dan Fouts of San Diego is coming off a spectacular season in which he threw for an NFL-record 4,715 yards, but All-Pro receiver John Jefferson is a contract holdout. The defensive unit will be out to prove it is much better than it appeared in a 40-17 December loss to Washington and the 34-27 setback to Oakland in the AFC title game. Kansas City's eight victories, its most since 1972, included two over the Raiders, and Chiefs' fans expect even better things this year because of good young players such as quarterback Steve Fuller, 24, and defensive end Art Still, 25.

The Denver Broncos, under new management, present a rebuilding challenge for Dan Reeves, the new head coach who says, "There's no question the AFC West is the toughest division." Seattle was 0-8 at home last year, when Seahawk problems included weak defense and a knee injury which sidelined running back Sherman Smith. The Raiders won Super Bowl XV, beating the Philadelpha Eagles 27-10, at the end of the longest championship trail in NFL history. They were a wild card team, forced to play four postseason games, because San Diego was awarded the division title under the NFL tie-breaking formula. "We were a Cinderella team last year, so just think what we can do this year," says Kenny King, the running back who was an important addition to the 1980 Raiders. Oakland improved its running attack with King, virtually unused at Houston in 1979, joining dependable Mark van Eeghen.

Quarterbacks Pastorini and Plunkett threw long much more frequently and effectively than the departed Ken Stabler did. Starting receivers Cliff Branch, Bob Chandler and Raymond Chester all are in their 30Sfnd offensive line buddies MILWAUKEE (AP) Jerry Koosman, a starter for nearly all of his 15 major league seasons, admits he is uncomfortable pitching in relief But Koosman was ready when the Minnesota Twins called on him in the bullpen Friday night. The 37-year-old lefthander stopped a three-run Milwaukee rally in the eighth inning, then sailed through the ninth as the Twins broke a sixgame losing streak with a 7-6 victory. The Brewers ran their losing streak to three games in their first game at home since June 11, the day before the 50-day baseball strike began. And losing to one of baseball's worst teams before a crowd of 30,123 compounded Brewer Manager Buck Rodgers' disappointment.

MINNESOTA MILWAUKEE abrhbl Molitor cf 4 10 0 Howell dh 4 2 2 1 Cooper lb 4 12 2 Ogbvie If 4 0 2 2 Bosley If 0 0 0 0 Thomas rf 4 0 0 0 Simmons 4 111 Yount ss 4 0 0 0 Money 3b 3 0 0 0 Romero pr 0 0 0 0 Gantnr 2b 3 110 Bando ph 10 0 0 Total 35 abrhbi 5 12 2 5 120 4 10 0 3 110 4123 3 0 0 0 4 111 3 110 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 Ward If Engle rf Hatcher cf Wynegar RJcksn dh Castino 3b Goodwn lb Macknn 2b Baker ss Wilfong 2b Total 35 7 Minnesota 103 003 000- 7 Milwaukee 010 002 030- Cooper, Yount, Corbett. DP Minnesota 1, Milwaukee 2. LOB Minnesota 4, Milwaukee 3. 2B Engle, Howell, Cooper. HR Simmons (10), RoJackson (4).

SB-Ward. Castino. IP RERBBSO Minnesota Williams W.3-5 5 2-3 5 3 3 0 1 Corbett 11-3 2 3 2 0 2 Koosman 2 1 0 0 1 2 Milwaukee Caldwell L.8-6 51-3 8 6 3 1 2 Keeton 32-3 1 1 1 1 1 Corbett pitched to 3 batters in the 8th. WP-Koosman. to County feelings dividual that said, 'I am not coming back under any Rodgers said.

He said the response had been generally positive during the team's 12-game road trip and even during the walkout itself But Rodgers, spitting tobacco juice into a waste basket as he relaxed in his office, quickly turned his attention to other things, like the pennant race. He noted that the Brewers will face fellow Eastern Division teams in their final eight series, starting Labor Day, and the opponents will be New York, Baltimore, Boston and Detroit. "We'll be going head to head with them" for the division title, Rodgers said. "We'll see what kind of character we have," he added. "This team has never been in a pennant race.

I hope these guys respond to it." Dick Hackett, Brewer vice president in charge of ticket sales, said later that he was pleased with the attendance of 30,123. "There are a lot of clubs that would love to have 30,000 on their first night back," Hackett said. He said his tour of the ballpark showed no signs of fan animosity, although he said a few individuals were reported to have marched outside the stadium, carrying protest signs referring to the walkout. "Everybody was laughing at them," Hackett said. He also said ticket sales had been good.

Brewer fans flock back Stadium with few hard By ERIC PREWITT OAKLAND (AP) The Oakland Raiders went through the off-season with zero turnover in their roster, a National Football League rarity "No one wanted to retire. They all wanted to be here to get their Super Bowl rings," Coach Tom Flores ex-plained when training camp opened. But the Raiders never have been a team to stand still, as shown through 16 consecutive winning seasons and owner Al Davis' legal fight to move the franchise to Los Angeles. Improvement in 1981 may be necessary since the team is co-favorite, at best, with the San Diego Chargers in its own division, the American Football Conference West. "We're not a totally set team.

There's some pretty good competition going on. It's not for public knowledge but, believe me, it's there," said Flores. He faced the summer task of making room on the roster for two first-round draft picks, offensive lineman Curt Marsh and comerback Ted Watts, and also for some players injured last season. Former starting quarterback Dan Pastorini, corning off an injury, thinks he'll be traded elsewhere before this season begins. Super Bowl hero Jim Plunkett is clearly the No.l quarterback on the veteran offensive unit which, were it not for last season's performance, would be called too old.

On defense, the Raiders are young as well as good. "Under our scheme of things, we play man-to-man pass coverage 75 percent of the time. But if we didn't have the best front seven in football, we couldn't do it," says Lester Hayes, the comerback named NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1980, in praise of the Raiders' linemen and linebackers. Oakland and San Diego both finished the regular 1980 season 11-5. The Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos, both 8-8, were next in the AFC West and the By JIM CARLSON Associated Press Writer MILWAUKEE (AP) To hear the fans tell it, there were few, if any, hard feelings when the Milwaukee Brewers and major league baseball returned to County Stadium Friday night for the first time since the players strike.

"I think the only ones that I hear complaining are the ones who never went to games anyway," said Hector Boogren, 63, of Cedar Grove, one of the many fans who summed up their feelings about the strike by simply stating "I'm glad it's over." Sales of hot dogs, popcorn, soda and beer appeared brisk, as 30,123 fans turned out to watch the Brewers drop a 7-6 decision to the Minnesota Twins. The Brewers had not played a home game since June 11, the day before the start of the strike. After the contract dispute with club owners was finally settled, a special second half of the regular season-got underway Aug. 10, but the Brewers played their first 12 games on the road. Boogren, who said the strike made him miss about three of the usual seven or eight games he attends each year, said he had tickets for the New York Yankees series that was to begin the same weekend the strike started.

"The whole family was going to go," he said. "I went north for the weekend instead." He said he was not angry about the walkout, although he "didn't like to see it happen." Art Czeskleba, 62, of West Allis said.