The Tyler Courier-Times from Tyler, Texas • 31

SPORTS mnnz ftgler ourier-llmeleleppli Indians Top Tigers, 6-3 -See Page 2 Morris Leads At Briarwood .4 Wheeler Tops Hollytree Field .4 The Great Outdoors .6 Section 3 Sunday, August 18, 1996 1996, Tyler Courier-Times-Telegraph JT Ranked Fifth; Alto No. 1 In 2A 5 Phil Hicks I From Staff, Wire Reports DALLAS (AP) District 12-5A placed two teams in The Associated Press preseason high school football poll, with John Tyler tied for fifth and Marshall seventh, while Alto is ranked No. 1 in Class 2A. Alto, which fell one game short of a state title and finished 15-1 last season, received 16 out of 20 first-place votes. John Tyler captured the Class 5A Division II state title in 1994, but bowed out in the area playoffs last season and finished 11-1.

The Lions return three offensive and four defensive starters, most notably quarterback Mickey Jones and defensive endwide receiver David Warren. The voters placed the Lions in a fifth-place tie with Houston Yates in the Class 5 A top 10. JT received one firsts place vote. "It's good to be noticed," said JT sixth-year head coach Allen Wilson. "You've still got to go on the field and Win football games.

We've been ranked fifth or sixth in most (preseason) polls so I felt like we'd be ranked somewhere up in that area." Marshall, which also advanced to the Division II area round, returns the majority of its starters. Other East Texas teams ranked in the respective top 10 polls are Rusk (No. 6, Class 3 A), Tatum (No. 9, Class 3A), Groveton (No. 4, Class 2A), Arp (No.

9, Class 2A), and Overton (No. 9, Class A). Area teams also receiving votes are Corsicana, Mount Pleasant and Henderson in Class 4A; and Pittsburg give them two titles to chase. Break postseason ties on the field instead of on paper. It really doesn't matter.

No matter how the rules change, La Marque remains the team to beat. The Cougars, who finally won a' championship last season in their third straight Class 4A title game appearance, head into the fall ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press preseason high school football poll. La Marque is the only defending champion opening the year atop its class. The other No.

Is are North Mesquite in 5 Atlanta in 3 Alto in 2A and Granger in 1A. Get used to seeing different things. RANKINGS Page 3, Sec. 3 and Van in Class 3A. Celina beat Alto for last year's 2A title, capping a milestone season for coach G.

A. Moore. En route to his fourth championship, he won his 300th game with his youngest son, Gary Don, as the starting quarterback. Many thought Moore would retire on such a high note, and he admits he considered it. But he didn't have anything better to do, so he's back to chase a fifth crown.

Celina begins the season third to Alto, where coach Lucky Gamble will be relying on his son quarterback-linebacker Brian to help make up for the loss of an all-state star on each side of the ball. Add teams to Class 4A. Let a third school per district into the playoffs and Royals Halt Texas' Win Streak At 7 ARLINGTON (AP) Tim Belcher pitched a six-hitter and the Kansas City Royals stopped the Texas Rangers' seven-game winning streak, 4-1 Saturday night. Belcher (12-7) walked none and struck out five in his second complete game of the season. He did it against a team that began the night batting an AL-leading .292.

Ken Hill (13-7), who had won six of his last seven decisions, gave up a career-high 13 hits in 7 1-3 innings. The Royals scored twice in the fourth for a 2-0 lead. Singles by Bob Hamelin, Craig Paquette and Michael Tucker loaded the bases the bases with no outs. Johnny Damon had a sacrifice fly and Mike Sweeney hit an RBI single. Paquette went 3-for-5 with two runs scored.

Texas scored in the bottom of the fourth on an RBI double by Juan Gonzalez. Darryl Hamilton singled and went to third on Rusty Greer's sin- Gonzalez blooped a run-scor- ing single, then Texas loaded the bases when Paquette bobbled Will Clark's grounder to third base. Belcher got Dean Palmer to ground into a double play to end the threat. The Royals scored two in the eighth on Damon's sacrifice fly and Sweeney's RBI Notes: Rangers catcher Ivan Rodriguez did not start because of stiffness in his lower back. Dave Valle started in place of Rodriguez.

Horned Frogs Ready For WAC AS TCU BEGINS its 100th year of football, the Homed Frog faithful have seen just about everything. There were the glory days of Slingin' Sammy Baugh, a national championship in 1938, and twice beating Texas when the Longhorns were No. 1 in 1941 and 1961. But it's been 37 years since the Horned Frogs finished in the top 10. They were No.

7 in 1959 after being led by All-Americans Jack Spikes and Don Floyd. But TCU coach Pat Sullivan expects big things from a Horned Frog team that has had back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 1958. Although old TCU fans hated to let go of the Southwest Conference, the Horned Frogs are excited about competing in the 16-team Western Athletic Conference. In the SWC, TCU, a small private school, had to battle the big state schools and it was an uphill battle. In the past 30 years, the Horned Frogs had managed only five winning seasons.

Now, TCU looks to the WAC. It's a conference that stretches from Texas to Hawaii. "We are looking forward to the WAC," said Sullivan, the 1971 Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn. "It's created a new enthusiasm for everyone, whether they're going to the WAC or the Big 12. "I WAS ANXIOUS to see how our fans would react and they were enthused.

Our season ticket sales are ahead of last year's pace." TCU is hoping to present itself as a force in the new league and play in the WAC Championship game Dec. 7, in Las Vegas. But there are some questions heading into this first season in the WAC. Sullivan's No. 1 concern for 1996 was finding a quarterback to replace Max Knake.

He may have a winner in newcomer Fred Taylor, one of the top junior college signal' callers in the nation last year. Taylor signed with the Frogs after an impressive career at Hinds (Miss.) Community College. He passed for 2,381 yards and 22 touchdowns last It will be good news for TCU if Taylor steps in and doesn miss a beat from his juco days. After all, he will be surrounded by talented Horned Frogs. At tailback there's Andre Bruce and former Mount Pleasant standout Basil Mitchell.

Then there's veteran Koi Woods at fullback, who is a proven blocker and receiver. Taylor, a 6-1, 190-pounder from Jackson, definitely came to the right place for receivers as the Horned Frogs have standouts in former Longview star John Washington, who led the Southwest Conference in receiving last year, and Jason Tucker. THE FLEET-FOOTED 5-9, 165-pound Washington is truly a standout, along with 295-pound center Ryan Tucker and All-American placekicker Michael Reeder. "The key for us is we're bigger up front," Sullivan said. "When I got here (1992) we averaged 238 pounds on the defensive line and 255 on offense.

Now, we average 275 on defense and 285-290 on offense. That makes a difference." Along with Tucker, Nacogdoches' Fabian Stegall, a senior, returns at guard, Also, Mark Cortez is back at tackle. On the defensive side, Sullivan will be depending on Longview's Gaylon Hyder, a 6-2, 285-pound defensive tackle, and nose tackle Bernard Oldham. The Frogs will have to get going early as they must play Oklahoma (Sept. 7 at Norman, Okla.) and Kansas (Sept.

14 at Fort Worth) in the first two games of the season. Those are two quick tests for Taylor and his tCctlTlITlfittGS TCU's challengers for the WAC division title will likely be Utah (Oct. 19 at Salt Lake City) and Brigham Young (Oct. 26 at Fort Worth). The Horned Frogs hope they can rekindle that old SWC glory into WAC success.

Tyler Rallies, Overtakes Dillas, 10-4 By JARED PARCELL Staff Writer Tyler overcame a nightmarish first inning and discovered the third ana even a fourth time could be the charm during a 10-4 victory over Amarillo Saturday night in front of 1,060 at Mike Carter Field. After collecting five hits off Dillas starter Wally Trice through five innings, the WildCatters (15-19) tallied five hits and scored six runs in the sixth inning. The two teams are scheduled to conclude their 1996 Texas-Louisiana League series Sunday at 5:05 p.m Greg Brummett (1-8, 5.69) is slated to start for Tyler and Al Kermode (5-11, 4.88) for the Dillas. WildCatter Tom Koerick, up for the third time, drove in Carlos Perez with a single and the hit parade was under way. Sean Collins, in his fourth at-bat, drilled a two-run triple into the gap in left-center and Tony Rich followed with an RBI single to put Tyler in front 5-4, chasing Trice from the game.

"It's funny after all we've been through, we don't give up," Collins said "When we're down, we know it's just a matter of time before something will happen. I give a lot of credit to (my team-mates). "I think you learn, a lot when you lose. In my case it's two words amazing grace." Derek Henderson drew' a walk off relief jpitcher Mark Hampton and Ken Shamburg followed with a double that scored Rich and Henderson. Trice (1-2) gave up 10 hits and six runs in 5 23 innings of work.

Before fans could settle into their seats and savor the taste of a pregame tailgate meal, the Dillas (11-22) had scored four unearned runs on three hits in the first inning. Steve Long (3-4) survived the shaky opener and scattered four more hits in pitching his first complete game of the season. Long recorded four strikeouts arid was backed by three double plays. Amarillo's Doug Wollenburg reached on an error by Long after Leighton Colbert led off with a single. Larry Meza's grounder went through the legs of Perez at first base, allowing Colbert to score.

The WildCatters added three runs in the eighth inning on a throwing error by Tahan. Staff Photo By Jeff Stead GALVAN-IZED MEDDLE The Flash's Saira Galvan kicks the ball past the Lady Hawks' Monique Rezaei Saturday afternoon during the Brookshire's 3-On-3 Soccer -M i i 1 A 1 i-1 AL. onootour at unasey rroceeas iroin uie luunuuaeai ueueui me ouuui wjuut Chapter of the American Red Cross. 20-3 Throw Broncos Cowboys NFL Roundup Page 3 ken collar bone. "Hell miss six weeks," Denver coach Mike Shanahan said.

"It will really hurt us because he was our only return man. We played a good game but this takes a little edge off. "I'll be back in four weeks," Smith said. Denver (3-0) led the Cowboys 7-3 at halftime thanks to a 7-yard touchdown pass from Elway to Smith. It came at the end of a 70-yard drive in which an 11-yard pass from Elway to Smith on third-and-10 from the Dallas 30 was the key play Elway was 7-of-12 for 68 yards in the first half, while Dallas starter Troy Aikman was 3-of-6 for 20 yards.

Smith gained eight yards on three carries before eleft. IRVING (AP) Denver remained undefeated. Dallas remained dismal. John Elway and Bill Musgrave each threw touchdown passes Saturday night and Denver downed Dallas 20-3 in an exhibition game in which Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith threw a scare into the Super Bowl champions when he sprained his left knee. Smith, seeing his first action of the preseason, injured his left knee when a teammate, 340-pound tackle Erik Williams, fell on him in the second quarter.

Smith stayed down for almost five minutes before he walked unassisted to the sidelines. Smith, who has led the NFL in rushing four of the last six years, later walked to the dressing room without help for X-rays and treatment. The X-ray showed no problems, but Smith was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Sunday to make sure. There was no significant swelling and no significant instability," Dallas trainer Jim Maurer said of Smith's knee. Smith left Texas Stadium without comment, but coach Barry Switzer said "Emmitt said that it feels like the worst injury he has ever had in his career." Defensive end Charles Haley also talked to Smith, saying "Emmitt says it's just sore and hell be ready for the regular season in two weeks." There was bad news also for Denver as wide receiver Rod Smith suffered a bro I 4M mm 3 Quarterback May Be Key To Baylor's Grid Success 4i ft) Editor's Note: This is the eighth story in a 12-part series previewing the college football teams in the new Big 12 Conference.

By DENNE FREEMAN Associated Press Sports Writer WACO If the Baylor Bears can ever find a quarterback to go with their gifted array of runners, the only private institution in the Big' 12 could become very difficult to heat. Jerod Douglas rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored 8 touch- 'if Hi; Vo. Baylor Glance Page 3 LA David Davis, a 6-foot-4, 320-pounder, will have to sit out the 1996 season after suffering torn ligaments in his right knee in an automobile accident. Redshirt freshmen Brandon Pierpoint, Larry McRae and Carlos Rocha are candidates for Davis' job. "When you replace a three-year starter with a redshirt freshman who's never played in a game, that's not real good," Reedy said.

The Bears have excellent skill players such as Kalief Muhammad and Pearce Pegross who combined for 68 catches for 1,124 yards and five touchdowns last year. Douglas was also dangerous on kick returns, averaging 33.3 yards. "Every time he touches the ball something good happens and we're going to try to get him the ball a lot this year," Reedy said. "He makes moves you find hard to believe. He's so smooth you forget how fast he is." Anthony Overstreet, Dexter Ford, Clifton Rubin and Shawn Washington give the Bears tremendous backfield depth.

Baylor should also be helped by a non-conference schedule thats easier than it's been in the past. downs last year during a 7-4 season. Unfortunately, for Baylor fans, that was about all the firepower the Bears could muster as sophomore quarterback Jeff Watson never produced. This year Watson has some competition. Enter Odell James of Aldine MacArthur, perhaps the, most sought-after quarterback in the nation.

Nebraska coach Tom Osborne tried and failed to sign the talented James. Watson, who has lost 15 pounds, had an exceptional spring' but coach Chuck Reedy said, wrvly, "I think Fd better give Odell a chance at the starting job if I want to keep my job. Jeff is the starter when we start practice. He has the job Unless somebody beats him out. If Odell is ready to play, hell be in there.

If he's not, he won't." Reedy also has a third quarterback, Jermaine Alfred, who has shined with his passing at times. Bad luck has already struck the JEROD DOUGLAS Baylor Running Back The Bears play Louisiana Tech.l Louisville and Oregon State before, they jump into Big 12 play against' Texas Tech and Nebraska. The Bears' defense was fifth; nationally last year but they lose-five of their top seven linemen. "I think we will be much! improved on offense with thej potential of as good on; defense," Reedy said. "Our defensej has to play at a high level like it; did last year to keep us up there? with all those other Big 12 Andy McCollum comes Tennessee as the new Baylor: defensive coordinator.

He believes in an attacking style of defense-with a lot of blitzing. "It's going to be an exciting sea-J son," Reedy said. "And we want toi create some of it." AP Laserphoto T.F!Ans ftAYTiYR. INTO NEW TERRITORY AS BIG 12 CONFERENCE PLAY BEGINS Bears hard. Senior offensive tackle Bears Head Football Coach Chuck Reedy Expects Team To Compete For South Division Title.