Rapid City Journal from Rapid City, South Dakota • 23

Monday, December 15, 1980 the Rapid City Journal 15 The Viking mnrae Kr ararl wsm SUV ais4fcn- V. '1 aw record to Cincinnati next week, where they can clinch the AFC Central Division with a victory. The Vikingi, close the season at Houston in game more important to the Oilers, who are now tied with the Browns after a 22-1 win over Green Bay. "What I should do is get Into the insurance business," said Browns' Coach Sam Rutlgllano. In Cleveland's last 31 games, 23 have been decided in the final two minutes.

"We have a flair for the dramatic," he said. "We just have to put it aside and win next week. I can't fault my team, but you have to give Bud Grant and his team a lot of credit. The thing I respect about the Vikings is that they are patient. They are well-coached and disciplined." They had to be.

Cleveland broke on top 13-0 on Brian Sine's 18-yard scoring pass to Calvin Hill in the first quarter and Sipe's 2-yard scoot around right end with 1:12 left in the half. Slpe was 20 of 33 for 232 yards but his only interception was a costly one. Bobby Bryant stepped in front of Miller to pick off a pass with 2:12 left. That led to Kramer's 12-yard TD toss to Rashad and brought the Vikings within one point at 23-22. "When it Is intercepted and we lose the game, it's a terrible decision," said Sipe.

"The nice thing about football is that it will all be forgotten next week. I fully intend to win the last game of the season and be the division champs. After we win the next game, this game will prove to be irrelevant." Other Browns echoed those sentiments. "Personally, I am strong enough to accept what happened and come back and win next week," said receiver Reggie Rucker. "We are going to get even, not mad," added guard Henry Sheppard.

Kramer, who broke his own club record with the 38 completions and Joe Kapp's record (447) with his yardage, got the Vikings back into the game at 8:56 of the third quarter with a 31-yard screen pass to tight end Joe Senser. A good block by rookie guard Brent Boyd sprung Senser loose down the left sidelines and cut the margin to 13-6. "People have been writing us off all year," said Senser. "I would have loved to be in the Pontiac Silverdome when they flashed our score." Don Cockroft and Rick Danmeier traded field goals later in the third period and Miller's TD run seemed to put the game on ice. But Kramer, a cool, confident youngster who apparently learned well from his predecessor, refused to give in.

He hit Ted Brown with a 7-yard scoring toss with 5:01 left, but Jim Langer's center snap was high, allowing McDonald Oden to block Danmeier's kick. Danmeier had missed two field goals in the first half and also had blown an extra point following Senser's TD. That left the Vikings a huge eight points shy but as the Vikings later proved to the Browns, eight was not enough. Bryant's interception was followed five plays later by Rashad's first touchdown, and even though the Vikings failed to recover an onside kick attempt, they were able to hold Cleveland and then march 80 yards for the winning score. It turned out to be a two-play drive.

From the 20, Kramer passed eight yards to Senser, who lateraled the ball to Brown. Brown rambled an additional 26 yards to the Cleveland 46 and Jhen Kramer and Rashad worked their magic. "We've scored on last plays before to win games," said Grant. "But what was at stake made this play more dramatic. Two plays is what it was, and then we got an early Christmas present." Falcons 35, 49ers 10 Atlanta ended Los Angeles' seven-year reign atop the NFC West behind Bartkowski, who passed for 276 yards and three TDs and ran for another score.

"I've been down some tough roads," said Bartkowski, who was booed off the field in a preseason game two years ago, "but if that's what it took to be where I am today, that's Area scene Uhrig, Lien, -Pierre players all-tournament WATERTQWN (AP) Champion Sioux Falls Washington placed three players and runnerup Canton two on the girls Class A all-tournament basketball team named by the South Dakota High School Coaches Association. Topping the ten-member honor squad are Washington guard Ann Pancoast, center JoElle Byre and forward Lisa Sorenson. Pancoast scored 18 points and Brye hit 17 in Washington's 52-45 win over Canton in the title game. Honored from Canton were center Linda Olson and guard Rita Hurley. Guard Lisa Zacher and forward Karen Paul were selected from third place Pierre.

The tournament's leading scorer, guard Kris Holwerda, was named from Brookings. Also named were Rapid City Stevens' Sam Lien and Lead's Laura Uhrig. BHSC finishes 10th at16-team St. Cloud tourney ST. CLOUD.

Minn. Black Hills State College finished 10th with 34 points in a field of 16 teams Saturday in the St. Cloud Invitational Wrestling Tournament. St. Cloud won the tournament with 102'a points, followed by Minnesota-Morris 892.

Dickinson State 82V4. Minnesota-Duluth 74, Southwest Minnesota 73. BHSC next competes in its own six-team invitational starting at 10 a.m. Saturday. Ill pound Dan Overman BHSC.

dec. Hanson, Mavulle 6 in lint round, dec. Buxton. St. Cloud, Sim quarter-finals; Overman lost to Hoy.

Mnn Duluth. 10 4 semifinals; Overman lost to Stoll. Wis Eau Claire. 13 0 in wrestlebacks; Overman took fifth with 14 I victory over Hanson, Mayville. 124 pounds Dan Mahoney.

BHSC. dec Feldt. Concordia. I 0 overtime in first round. Mahoney dec.

Carstens. Eau Claire. 7 1 In quarterfinals; Mahoney dec. Thomp AtaSaehare APSporti Writer The Minnesota Vikings and Atlanta Falcons have clinched division titles, and with a victory Monday night the Los Angeles Rams can join them as well as Philadelphia and Dallas In the National Football League playoffs. That's in the nice, neat National Conference, where everything is done in proper, orderly fashion.

Even the New Orleans Saints, whose play in losing their first 14 games had prompted some fans at the Louisiana Superdome to wear paper bags over their heads, wiped out their winless embarassment by edging the New York Jets 21-20 Sun-day. But over in the American Conference, it's an entirely different sto y. If NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle says he wants parity and down-to-the-wire races, he's certainly got it in the AFC. With one week left to go in the regular season, not a single division championship has been decided. What's more, not a single team is even assured of a playoff spot.

Seven AFC clubs head into the final weekend in contention for the five playoff berths Buffalo, Cleveland, Houston, Oakland and San Diego, all with 10-5 records, and New England and Pittsburgh, both 9-6. In the NFC, Minnesota won the Central Division title for the 11th time in the last 13 years and moved into the playoffs by beating the Cleveland Browns 28-23 but it didn't come easily. The Vikings needed a one-handed grab by Ahmad Rashad of a deflected, desperation 46-yard heave by Tommy Kramer after time had expired to overcome the Browns. "If you keep plugging away, sometimes good things happen to you," said Rashad, who caught nine passes for 142 yards. "I was playing for the tip, not the pass.

Fortunately it bounced my way." Division titles may be old hat to the Vikings, but not to the Falcons. Atlanta, which previously had clinched a spot in the playoffs, won the first AFC West championship in its 15-year history by beating the San Francisco 49ers 35-10 behind three second-half touchdown passes by Steve Bartkowski. Despite the victory, Atlanta's ninth in a row, there was no great celebration. "The champagne comes after the Super Bowl," explained Falcons Coach Leeman Bennett. The Saints weren't drinking champagne, either.

Their celebration took the form of a long, loud sigh of relief after Tony Galbreath's two 1-yard scoring dives in the final period lifted them over the Jets. "That goose-egg is something that nags at you," said Saints quarterback Archie Manning. "We didn't want to be the first team to lose 15." Of course, to avoid that dubious distinction the Saints will have to beat New England next week. But at least they won't go 0-for-the-season, as Tampa Bay did in 1976 when the NFL had a 14-game schedule. The Bucs went on to lose 26 in a row before winning their first game ironically, against the Saints.

Stevens' Sam Lien, battling against West Central in consolation Wv (, 1 Meanwhile, Buffalo and Cleveland missed chances to wrap up AFC division titles by losing Sunday. The Bills dropped a 24-2 decision to New England. They still lead the Patriots by one game, but must beat San Francisco next week to win the division. If the 49ers win and New England beats New Orleans, the Patriots would win the title because of a better record within the division. By losing to Minnesota, Cleveland blew a chance to wrap up the AFC Central and dropped Into a tie at 10-5 with Houston, which beat Green Bay 22-3.

If those teams finish in a tie, Cleveland would be the division winner because of a better conference record. The defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers, meanwhile, kept their slim playoff hopes alive by beating the Kansas City Chiefs 21-16. The Steelers' only hope to make the playoffs Is to beat San Diego in their season finale and hope New Orleans upsets New England. The Detroit Lions also kept their faint playoff hopes from dying by beating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27-14. It may be only a short reprieve, however, since the Los Angeles Rams can take the final NFC playoff spot by beating the Dallas Cowboys Monday night.

In other Sunday games, the Oakland Raiders edged the Denver Broncos 24-21, the Philadelphia Eagles beat the St. Louis Cardinals 17-3, the the Cincinnati Bengals trimmed the Chicago Bears 17-14 in overtime and the Miami Dolphins defeated the Baltimore Colts 24-14. On Saturday, San Diego beat Seattle 21-14 and Washington defeated the New York Giants 16-13. Vikings Browns 23 Seven weeks ago the Vikings were all but dead, but it was the Vikings' never-say-die attitude which vaulted them into the playoffs for the 11th time in the last 13 years. "If you just keep plugging away, sometimes good things happen to you," said Vikings' receiver Ahmad Rashad, who caught a 46-yard, last-ditch pass from Tommy Kramer as time expired to give Minnesota a 28-23 victory and the NFC Central Division championship.

Kramer, who completed 38 of 49 passes for 456 yards and four touchdowns, threw the ball up for grabs near the goal line. The ball was tipped in a crowd, and plopped into the left hand of Rashad, who backed the final yard into the end zone past the stunned Cleveland defenders. Rashad, who missed practice the entire week with a bad leg, caught nine passes, including a 12-yard scoring pass with 1:35 to play. But it was his dramatic, one-handed grab of the tip which touched off pandemonium at Metropolitan Stadium and climaxed a Vikings rally which saw them rally for three touchdowns in the final five minutes. "The game was too big to miss," said Rashad, who has 62 catches for 1,019 yards this season.

"Maybe I should skip practice next week too." The pass, admittedly, was a desperation heave by Kramer. But it worked. "This was for all the marbles," said Kramer, whose 456 yards was the 10th highest single-game total in NFL history. "I told the guys we had one last shot and we had to go into the end zone. Ahmad reached from deep down inside to make a super play." When Cleo Miller bulled in from one yard out to give Cleveland a 23-9 lead with 7:16 left in the fourth quarter, the Browns appeared to have their first playoff berth since 1972 locked up.

Instead, Cleveland must take its 10-5 championship game, made all-tourney team ports m-mm holder Matt Robinson's pass was intercepted by Owens for a score. Robinson re-entered the game at quarterback later in the first quarter and promptly engineered a touchdown drive. The rest of the half belonged to the Raiders, however, as a Denver interception and fumble set up 10 Oakland points. The Broncos twice pulled within three points in the second half. Morton, returning at quarterback when Robinson suffered a concussion, flipped an 11-yard TD pass to tight end Riley Odoms as Denver drew to 17-14 late in the third quarter.

But the Raiders countered as Plunkett found Chandler on a 38-yard scoring strike early in the final period. Three minutes later, Denver was threatening again. Wide receiver Steve Watson made a diving 41 -yard reception and running back Dave Preston followed with a 9-yard TD run With 11:08 left. Denver had two more scoring opportunities after that, but Fred Steinfort missed a 47-yard field goal attempt and Morton finally was intercepted by O'Steen at the Raider 20-yard line. "We played conservatively." admitted Plunkett.

Eagles 17, Cardinals 3 After a scoreless first half, Philadelphia capitalized on two St. Louis turnovers for a 9-yard touchdown run by Wilbert Montgomery and a 19-yard field goal by Tony Franklin to beat the Cardinals. Bengals 17, Bears 14 Jim Breech kicked a 28-yard field goal 4:23 into overtime to give Cincinnati the victory. Chicago blew a chance to win it in regulation when Louis Breedcn picked off a Vince Evans pass in the end zone. It was Breedcn's third interception of the game.

Dolphins 24. Colts 14 David Woodley, Miami's rookie quarterback, completed just 9 of 29 passes for 143 yards, but three of thpm went for touchdowns 19 yards to Woody Bennett, 26 yards to Nat Moore and 37 yards to Jimmy Cefalo. 29 29. 2, Brian Brown, Mystic, 32 34. 3, John Hatnor, Rapid City, 36 06 4.

Ev Follette Jr Spearfisn, 36 21 5, Rick Cordes, Rapid City, 41 43 6, Joe Casey, Belle Fourche, 49 33 7, Perry Hansen, Spearlish, 56 00 8, Bruce Defrates, Spearfish, 57 12 Women's 18 35 1, Anna Haukel, Rapid City, 44:48. Northern women trim Moorhead ABERDEEN Northern State improved its college women's basketball record to 5-2 by downing Moorhead State 86-42 Saturday night. Laura Hummel and Wendy Swanhorst each hit 14 points for Northern and Cathy Coyle added 13. Coyle, a sophomore from Belle Fourche, is averaging 11 points per game and Sherry Moore of Presho is averaging seven points per game for the junior varsity team, which is 4-0. Northern is at Dakota Wesleyan Saturday night.

Ex-Yank Howard dead at age 51 NEW YORK (AP) Tributes to Elston Howard all seem to include words such as dignity, humility and class. Howard, the first black to play for the New York Yankees and a star with them for more than a decade, died of cardiac arrest early Sunday at the age of 51. He was a patient at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital since Nov. 26. risn Howard "We have lost a dear friend and a vital part of our organization," said Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

"If indeed humility is a trademark of many great men with that as a measure. Ellie was one of the truly great Yankees. A quiet man with friendship and caring for all all of our lives are richer because he touched them." Howard, who suffered from a heart disease for the past two years, was an administrative assistant to Steinbrenner after having been a coach for 11 years. a WXV1 I with winning touchdown (AP Laserphoto) 360 yards and one touchdown to lead the Lions over Tampa Bay. Wide receiver Ray Williams caught the 22 yard TD pass from Danielson and also returned a kickoff 91 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown.

Raiders 24, Broncos 21 Opponents have long accused the Oakland Raiders of conspiring to commit dirty tricks, such as bugging the opposition's locker room or watering down the playing field in Oakland. Sunday, it appeared the Raiders had resorted to stealing the Denver Broncos' play book. At the very least, the Raiders seemed to have copied Denver's style I.e., playing it conservatively on offense and trusting the defense to force turnovers. While the normally punchless Broncos were generating 26 first downs and a whopping 507 total yards, including 431 passing, the Raiders were content with 15 first downs and 276 total yards. Oakland converted three Denver turnovers into 17 first-half points, then used Dwayne O'Stcen's interception on the final play of the game to ice a 24-21 National Football League victory.

The triumph boosted the Raiders to 10-5. keeping them in a first-place tie with San Diego in the American Conference's Western Division and still very much in playoff contention. "We came into this game knowing we just had to win," said Raider Coach Tom Flores. "We knew Denver would be tough. There's something about this place (Mile High Stadium).

They (victories) never come easy here. I'm pleased and proud of our guys." Jim Plunkett hit Bob Chandler on a pair of touchdown passes, and free safety Burgess Owens returned an interception 58 yards for another score to pace the Raider victory. "Turnovers cost us," said Denver Coach Red Miller, whose team dropped to 7-8. "We played hard and we moved the ball well, but the turnovers really hurt." With Craig Morton at quarterback, the Broncos drove into Raider territory early in the game. But, on a fake field goal play, Tournament director Dick Cassem, who said he was pleased with such a response, said the Pepsi Cola Holiday Tournament starts this weekend and willrununtilJan.4.

Final results of the Witte tournament: Mens team 1 Mike Rang, RC, 626, Ed Meyer, Sturgis, 543, Lowell Rang, Mitchell, 608, Bud Olien, RC, 61 1 278, 2666; 2. Dean Vaughn, RC, 5V4. Mike Vaughn, Bill ings, 636, John Sharkey, RC, 561; Ben Gerry, RC, 571 290 2652 Mixed Team I Marion Schlabarh, RC, 571; Robert Schlabach, RC, 549, Charles Kiefer, RC, 495; Joyce Kiefer, RC, 584 462 2661. Mixed Doubles 1 Cheryl Kumpf, RC 633. BenGorry, RC.655 121.

1409. 2 Gayla Frednckson, Newell, 432. Jim Fredrickson, Newell, 528 )98. 1358; 3 Kay Hansen, RC, 590; Jerry DeWall, RC, 600 154, 1344. Mens Doubles 1 Gary bpecker.

Eagle Butte, 526, Roland Fielder, Eagle Butte, 604 255, 1384, 2, Charles Moran, Lead, 572; Charles Parker, Custer, 574 217. 1363, 3 Ralph VanEppes, Mission, 565. Ervm Figert, Mis sion, 553 224, 1342 4. Don Hansen, RC, 466; Red Hanna, RC. 647 225, 1338.

5. Robert Litz, RC. 678, Rooert Pickerts, RC. 628 24, 1324, 6. Chef Crowser, Hot Springs.

560; Gary England, RC. 560 -175, 1295 Tie. 7 John Loney. EAFB, 535; Cliff Whitney. EAFB, 604 156, 1295 Tie.

Ladies Doubles I Cneryl Kumpf, RC. 545; Sally Oiler. RC, 598 130. 1273; 2 Peggy Sailer, RC, 570; Peggy Halverson. RC 427 246, 1243.

Ladies Singles I Marion Schlabach, RC, 592, 128, 720 2. Kris Glae. RC, 507. 126. 633 Mens Doubles 1 Tim Meer, Sturg.s.

693. 65. 758; 2 Dale O'Con nel, Philip, 651, 99, 750; 3 Gary Specker. Eagle Butte. 612.

114. 726, 4 Don Hansen, RC, 574. 144, 718, S. Charles Voran. Lead, 566, 148, 714; 6 Mike Her man, RC.

668. 40. 708 tie; 7. Ernie Lenton. RC, 605, 103.

708 tie, 8 Ervm Figert. Mission. 616, 85. 70t; Roland Fielder, Eagle Butte, 551, 144, 692; 10. Steve Connors.

RC. 589, 99, 688. Banerud notches second victory SPEARFISH Oyvind Banerud of Rapid City scored his second citizens cross country ski race victory of the young season by posting a time of 29:29 for a six-kilometer event at Big Hill Sunday. There were 19 entries in six divisions. Three kilometers Boys IS and under 1, John Ladson, Spearfish, 25 21 2, Wvatt Hansen.

Spearfish. 05 Women 16 35 Sheila Fwiette. Soearfisn. 21 51. Women's over 35 1.

Bobbi Partner, Spearfish, 21 47. Si kilometer Men over 35-1. Everett Follette Sr Spearfish, 40 44 2. Wayne Pamtner. Spearfish.

47 54 Men 18 35 I. Oyvmd Banerud. Rapid City, IK Vikings' Ahmad Rashad crosses end zone fine. We're as good as we want to be. I think we can beat anybody." Saints 21, Jets 20 Archie Manning, who threw a 14-yard pass to Jack Holmes for New Orleans' first touchdown, marched the Saints 73 yards in 10 plays for the final score, a 1-yard dive by Galbreath with 4 49 to play.

Richard Todd, who had a 66-yard touchdown pass and a 31-yard scoring scramble, drove the Jets to the New Orleans 37 before time ran out. Patriots 24, Bills 2 Matt Cavanaugh fired two touchdown passes and Vagas Ferguson ran for 81 yards and one score for the Patriots, who rebounded from four losses in their last five games. New England's defense came up with eight quarterback sacks and Bills signal-caller Joe Ferguson had to leave the game because of an ankle injury in the first quarter. "Any time you lose a quality leader, it hurts," said Buffalo nose tackle Fred Smerlas. "But they controlled the game.

We would have had to have been at our very best to have beaten them today." Oilers 22, Packers 3 Earl Campbell carried 36 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns for the Oilers, but gave credit for his fine performance to blocking back Tim Wilson. "Tim Wilson was my eyes today," said Campbell. "I was just supposed to go where he was. He hit most of the holes for me and I just followed him through." Steelers 21, Chiefs 16 Pittsburgh rallied for two touchdowns in the final period to beat Kansas City, Rockey Bleier scoring the game-winner on an 11-yard run. Bleier, who was the subject of a movie that was televised last week, has announced his retirement at the end of this season and was playing his final home game.

"It seemed like Rocky wrote his own script today," said linebacker Jack Ham. Lions 27, Bucs 14 Gary Danielson completed 29 of 44 passes for son, Dickinson, 9 2 in semifinals; Beechie, Minot, dec. Mahoney 6 5 in finals. 134 pounds Bob Kadera, BHSC, lost to Burwick, Dickinson, 8 6 in the first round; Kadera dec. Thompson, Valley City, 40 in wrestleDacks; Kadera dec.

Knutson, 19 Kadera pin. Algprs, Eau Claire, 3 Kadera lost to Whirley, Ausburg, 6 1 lor third place. 142 pounds Kirby Knauta, BHSC, lost to Krokehry, Valley City, 9 2 in first round; Knauta lost to Petron, St. Cloud, 12 2. 150 pounds Rick Welfl, BHSC, lost to Fields, SW State, 15 6 in first round.

158 pounds Stoks, Ausburg, dec. Kelly Baier, BHSC, 10 9 in first round. 167 pounds Decoeau, Mayville, pin. Andy Caiier, BHSC, 0 39 in first round; Howard, Wis. Superior, pin.

Caxier 4: 15. 177 pounds Cougland, Valley City, dec. Mark Welter, BHSC, 5 2. 190 pounds Ladbury, Dickinson, pin. Dale Wall, BHSC, 1 58; Skie.

Wis Eau Claire, dec. Walz 10 7 overtime in wrestlebacks. Ravens meet New Underwood St. Martin's ability to bounce back will get a test, says Coach Bob Lecheler, in a home game against New Underwood in boys high school basketball Tuesday night. The game will be the last until Jan.

6 for the Ravens, who won two of three games last week. St. Martin's scored 22 points in the fourth quarter to beat Hill City, tripped Hulett 81-73 in overtime, then lost 59-57 to Wall last week. The Ravens saw a 24-point lead vanish against Hulett, then outscored the Wyoming team 8-0 in the extra period. "We were a little bit too relaxed and a little bit too sloppy, but we got on track," said Lecheler.

The Ravens coach said his team appeared tired in the loss to Wall, shot poorly, but played strong defense. Missed free throws in the final minutes were costly for his team, he said. Witte tourney has big field One of the largest fields in recent years competed in the Witte Beverage Company Bowling Tournament, which ended at Meadowood Lanes. a i Bra. -oV.

l. jti cm 112 (( MM- I mm 0 hi? i i I 1 i.