Times-Advocate from Escondido, California • 37

SnMDFds TIMES'ADVOCATE TUESDAY, DEC. 5, 1978 D-1 And cone away with a super band Chargers lay cards on table early debut, Jefferson and Fouts were even brighter stars. Jefferson caught seven passes for 155 yards and Fouts completed 16 of 24 passes for 269. We decided to open up early because we didnt know how long Fouts would hold up, "Coryell said of bis quarterback who has been bothered by a bad cold and an ankle sprain. We knew we had to get up in a hurry.

We had to go out and get it. This time we knew we had to hit em with what we had. And what the Chargers had was a sparkling wide open passing game with Burton the perfect compliment for Jefferson. We sure tested them," Jefferson said of the Bears secondary. We knew Livers is only 54, but he can jump.

But, I can play too. We size up everybody before we go into a game. What kind of moves they have, what they can do out there and bow tall they are. We knew we could do it tonight. One thing the Chargers knew they could do was throw deep on the Bears and they did it consistently." We thought we could get deep against Chicago and we Fouts said.

We havent tried the deep stuff too much this year, but we were well prepared for this game. Chicago has a good blitzing team, but they tip that blitz off a lot. We checked off at the line a lot and every guy on the team did a great job of picking up the check-offs and the offensive line wwas just super. I cant even remember getting hit by the Bears. No, he didnt But the Chargers took a gamble with their cards Monday, took the big hit and came away with a royal flush.

Both of Jeffersons long passes were against fifth-year cornerback Terry Schmidt of the Bears. The Chargers wrapped up an incredible first quarter by scoring a second touchdown and opening a commanding 17-0 lead when Fouts hit newly-acquired Larry Burton with a 16-yard scoring pass on the third San Diego possession of the opening 15 minutes. In the first quarter, the Chargers rolled up 128 yards passing, 67 rushing and had eight first downs. Chicago had zero yards passing, just eight rushing and had run eight plays without picking up a first down. Some days everything just seems to happen, said a beaming Coryell after the game.

Some days everything that happens is good. Sometimes you catch that well thrown ball and sometimes you dont drop that big interception and you recover that fumble. The good guys were really fired up for this game. We practiced hard all week and we really came out and played well. San Diego kept the pressure on the Bears in the second quarter as Fouts struck from long range, again.

This time the Charger quarterback fired a 42-yard strike to Jefferson over the arms of fourth-year corner Virgil Livers for a touchdown on the first play of the period. At the half, the Chargers had a 23-0 lead and were in complete control. San Diego had 13 first downs, 77 rushing yards and 223. passing. The Bears had one lonely first down, 15 rushing yards and 22 passing.

The Chargers came out and played the second half just like the first, gambling with all their cards. Cornerback Mike Williams drew the first high card on the second half when he intercepted Bob Avel-linis first pass. Fouts then rallied the Chargers down the field and Benirschke kicked a 44-yard field goal to up the score to 28-0. In the next San Diego series, the Chargers took over at the Bears 48 following a short punt and three plays later, Hank Bauer bounced off two tackles and went 37-yards for a score. The outcome was now decided.

Chicago, which saw its record fall to 5-9, scored its only TD when Livers got a touch of revenge, intercepting a James Harris pass and speeding 60-yards down the sideline for a The Chargers made Livers pay for his theft, however, when Harris found Burton in the Chicago end zone and fired a 34-yard pass as Livers defended in vain. Burton caught three balls for the Chargers Monday night for 59 yrads and two TDs. Until last week, he was selling real estate in New York. This was really a great thrill for me, Burton said of the two scores. We have great personnel on this team and Im just glad I could contribute.

I have to give a great deal of credit to coaches Ray Perkins, Pat Hodgson and Coryell because they prepared me and gave me confidence. Four years ago, Burton was drafted by New Orleans on the first round. He was the fourth player taken in the draft. But a succession of hamstring pulls wiped him out in New Orleans and Monday nights game was his first action on 1978. As brilliant as Burton was hi his Sun Photo by Larry LitUiMf JEFFERSON HOT John Jefferson of the San Diego Chargers hauled in one' of seven passes the rookie wide receiver grabbed Monday night against the Chicago Bears as the Chargers ripped the Bears, 40-7.

Virgil Livers was a bit late covering Jefferson this time. ADMEN KETEYIAN- Does practice make it perfect By JOHN MAFFEI T-A Sports Editor SAN DIEGO Don Coryell laid his cards on the table early before a full house at San Diego Stadium Monday night. And; when Coryells San Diego Chargers backed away from the table, the borne club had cleaned out the Chicago Bears, 4J-7. The Chargers scored early and often as Coryt3 cast aside the conservative offense that he felt his club's Onse dictated and drew to an instis straight. i And what Coryell's team did was march straight to the end zone.

San Diego's first play from scrimmage went 89-yards as quarterback Dan Fouts hit brilliant rook-il John Jefferson with a perfect pss. threw deep on die games second play, but just missed kitting Charlie Joiner. Don Woods then ripped off a 16-trd gain on a draw play and when drive stalled, the Chargers set-id for a 32-yard field goal by Rolf snirschke. put, the tone of the game had been set for the 7-7 Chargers. The Chargers were more than willing to gamble on offense to try and offset the power running of Chicago's talented backs, Walter Payton and Roland Harper.

After Benirschkes field goal, however, Payton and Harper didnt get a chance to run as Brian Basch-nagel fumbled Cliff Olanders ensuing kickoff and Jerome Dove recovered at the Bear 47. Fouts wasted little time attack. ing. On first down, he looped a 46-yard pass to Jefferson down to the Bear one. Lydell Mitchell carried in for the score on the next play.

Charger defense A 1 Awesome SAN DIEGO Chicagos Walter Payton and Roland Harper are destined to become the moat prolific tandem la the National Football Conference. Before Monday nighta game with the San Diego Chargers, Payton bad gained 1,158 yards and Harper had 822 in 1978. Payton had rolled up six 100-yard rushing games this sea- son while Harper had a career high 144-yards against Tampa Bay last week. Should Harper get to the mark this season, he and Pay-ton would become the first pair of backs on the same team in the NFC tp rush for 1,000 yards in a season. I Its happened twice in the AFC dritb Miamis Larry Csonka (1,117) 4nd Mercury Morris (1,000) turning the trick in 1972 and Pittsburghs Frank Harris and Rocky $leier (1,036) doing in it in 1976.

But the Charger defense just may lave put a dent in the hopes of the Bear Pair. A swarming San Di-go defense held Payton to 50 yards 17 carries (an average of 2.9 ards per try) and Harper to 16 on ven carries (an average of (13 ards per carry). At halftime the Bears had rushed 12 times for yards and Chicago had just one rst down in the first 30 minutes. The Bears, who were beaten 40-7 the Chargers, didnt score an of-ensive point. The only Chicago oints came on a 60-yard intercep-on return bu Virgil Livers.

You got a Payton said. Well, keep him out of football Its ust too much abuse on your body. tU mess up your life. We fell behind by 10 points be-ire we got the ball Man, its hard nough when its zip-zip, but The Charger defense felt a little ifferently about the quick 10-0. lead.

The quick lead really changed game, said Charger defensive ckle Wilbur Young. A defense st loves to have its offense get a ig lead. It means you can just pin jour ears back and come. You get a hance for sacks. The Chargers did get some sacks five to be exact.

Those five sacks give the San Diego defense 46 quart- Srback sacks this season to break lie club record of 45 set last season, the Chargers lead the AFC in 9gcks. Young, the eight-year veteran who the Chargers acquired from Kansas City before the season, Easnt played a tremendously ac-Ve part in the Charger defense heme until Monday night Starters Gary (Big Hands) John-n and Mean Fred Dean were Please see D-3, Cbl. 3 i 4 Cy 4 f) I' VVs, -4 Start Photo by Larry Litttahold PAYTON (34) CHARGER DEFENSE HOMING IN ON BEARS' WALTER Catching up to a couple of junior college coaches in between thoughts of CIF championship game. The door to the wrestling room was closed, locked tighter than a drum. Opening it, it was easy to smell why.

John Woods, mat coach at Pa-lomar College, knows an important week when he sees one. Accordingly, he held a closed practice (doors and windows) Monday. Sweaty bodies, stale air and 100-degree temperatures. Perfect working conditions Woods, especially when his young, talented but slightly battered squad faces two tough dual meets and a top-flight tournament in a span of five days. Looking as sweaty as the rest of his crew (he had just finished wrestling 134-pound state champ Chris Cain), Woods talked optimistically after an early dual meet loss to Cerritos and a fine third-place showing in Saturdays San Diego City tournament.

This is the toughest year of coaching Ive ever had, said the man who won a state title and was Californias junior college wrestling coach of the year. What hes thinking, is that despite the six-week loss of Kerry Hiatt (154) with a broken wrist, he believes his Comets have what it takes to win a second straight state title. They know it, said Woods, they can feel themselves getting better. If we make it through this weekend alive, well be 25 to 30 percent' better, just because of the level of competition and the number of contests. Woods didnt want to name names, but the likes of heavy- weight Ernie Velton and Cain, who won titles at the City tour ney, 128-pound co-captain Jim; Hamilton, second at City and 150-pound Bryan Canada, fourth at City, should make the Comets very tough.

Hiatt, two-time CIF beside his broken wrist, will also undergo tests today examine the extent of a knee injury. Losing Kerry hurt us a little bit, admitted Woods. Theyre going to check his leg today. Im 90 percent sure he wont have to have surgery. Were going to try and get him through the year.

He has the ability to be as good as anyone. Kevin Woods presents another problem. He suffered a slight shoulder separation Monday, but after a little John Woods therapy, hell be on the mat for this week. The conversation went much like this, showing why Woods the coach is the motivator and success he is. The doctor said it was just a slight separation, Kevin.

I want you to take the rest of the day off and get therapy three times tomorrow (Tuesday). I want you to run in the morning and night. The doctor said you can play if you can take the pain, Kevin, and you can take a lot of pain, cant you Kevin? asked coach Woods, looking straight into his freshmans eyes. I want you to say yes coach, said Woods. His 167-pounder slowly nodded his head.

I want you to say yes said Woods again, with emphasis. YES, COACH, said his student-athlete with strength. Ill be ready. So should the rest of the Comets. 1 Just outside the wrestling Please see D-3, Col.

4 The Great Chase ends, Rose likes Phillies the second time was hard to say no to the others. The thing Im proudest about in these negotiations is that never once did my agent and I make any money demands. We left it up to the teams. Because of my commitment to the Reds to go to Japan, it took me a while to make up my mind because I couldnt really negotiate with anyone until I got back. Maybe I should have left Japan two weeks earlier.

Asked if he felt the large sum of money he will receive from the, Phillies would create an imbalance on the ball club, Rose said, if they didnt have it, they wouldnt give it away. Amid the chaos surrounding the Rose affair, baseball commissioner Bowie Kuhn insisted there must be ORLANDO, Fla. (UPI) Pete Rose made it official today, signing a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies that will bring him $3.2 mil-' lion over the next four years. Rose, who is now the highest paid player in baseball history, said he had received better offers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Atlanta Braves but had selected the Phils because of his close friendships with members of. the Philadelphia team and the fact that it is a contending team.

He said that when negotiations broke off with the Phils last week, he had left the door open with them and that they called him back Sunday to increase their offer. I didnt take the best offer but I took a good offer, said Rose. It stronger compensation to clubs losing free agents. There were seven minor league players drafted, and the first trades of the meetings were completed. In the draft, the New York Mets took outfielder Rogers Brown from Tacoma; Toronto grabbed catcher Bob Davis from Hawaii and outfielder Thad Wilbom of Tacoma; Montreal took infielder Ken Macha from Columbus; Detroit selected outfielder Lynn Jones from Indianapolis and infielder Dave Ms-chemer from Salt Lake City, and San Francisco picked outfielder Bill Venable from Albuquerque.

But all day long, one-by-one, the teams attempting to sign the Rose Please see D-2, Col 3 vi.