Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 24

Ml f-1 7." 1M PUNT TITLE SUISSE'. NAUMOFF ARE MYIs 5 us Are Standouts 111 B-ancl-Jiiowr '3 "IT CI 1 par 6 i if 1 WASHINGTON IIUIJ llS al DETROIT PISTONS: Light straight losses have left the Pistons three games under hut they're still in first pliice in weak Midwest Division. Boh Lanier, who has missed several games with ankle and knee prohlems, is questionahle. Dave IBing and Co. are having their prohlems, hut they beat Pislons hy 12 in Washington Sunday to reach .500.

Tipoff at p.m. at Coho Arena. Radio WJR (760 AM). Herm Weaver Dexter Bussey Paul Naumoff BY JACK SAYLOR Free Preii Sport Wrller While (he pro football season ended for the Lions on a downer Sunday, it was upper time again Monday at least for Dexter Bussey, Paul Naumoff and Herman Weaver. Bussey and Naumoff were honored by their teammates as the most valuable players for the 1975 season.

Weaver's thundering kicks over the second half of the year brought him the punting championship of the National Conference, and he was second only to Oakland's Ray (iuy in the entire NFL. Weaver thus is a probable Pro Bmvl pick as the NFC punier. Bussey, named the offensive- MVP, was perhaps the must pleasant surprise of the season. He had carried only nine times in" his rookie year, most of which he missed with knee surgery. So he started camp last summer as a virtual unknown.

Bussey took charge from the outset and wound up leading the Lions in rushing with 696 yards. "He is destined to be a great offensive back," coach Rick Forzano said Monday. As lor Naumoff, his selection as the defensive MVP tops a nine-year career. He follows in the foolsleps of previous linebacker winners of the award Joe Schmidt, Mike Lucci and Wayne Walker. "He didn't have a bad football game in 20 games and that's something," Forzano said.

Naumoff, a Pro Bowler in 1971, should get a call to play there again. Light for a linebacker at 215 pounds, the fiery was exapperated to be more than it was." In reviewing the season, Forzano cited the loss of wide receiver Larry Walton in the final exhibition as a crushing blow. "He had that great outside speed and is a bonafide blue-chipper," the coach said. He mentioned, but only briefly, a couple of disastrous officiating calls (the phantom fumble recovery at Minnesota, the non-first down in overtime. at Kansas City).

But it wasn't a time for grousing. Forzano smiled as he contemplated the Lions' comeback from adversity. "Alter Houston where we lost Munson and Landry and Staggers that's when tms team showed what it was made of," Forzano beamed. "We came from behind and beat San Francisco and that was a thrilling win, one of the greatest I've been associated with. "Then Kansas City that was the low point of the season.

"The effort was there this season, but I won't be satisfied until we win the division championship. It's not like high school or college, where you build in pro football, you win." Other season notables: Then Lions recorded 38 quarterback sacks, up 14 from last year. "Larry Hand and Naumoff had more than 100 yards each in sacks," Forzano noted. The Lions incurred 95 penalties (the most ever) for yards (second-most ever). "Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl last year and led the league in penalties," Forzano observed.

On offense, the Lions were up 30 yards a game; on defense, they yielded 24 yards less a game. They had 30 more first downs, gave up 35 less. They ran a record 935 plays and had an excellent 2,147 yards rushing. Low note: Only 10 players started all 14 games. There were 13 operations, 10 of them on knees, and the Lions wound up with 15 inactive players out of 55.

Tennessee product piled up tackles to go with six quarterback sacks and a share in another. Weaver, who averaged 42 yards a kick, also set a Lion record with 80 attempts for the season. While saying he was "discouraged" with the 7-7 finish, Forzano was heartened by the way the Lions revived from their shaky training camp. "They were kind of upset with things at the time," he reflected. "But the best thing is that it happened when 11 did.

They didn't understand some of Hie things I was doing and I didn't understand some things about them. "We had a meeting and got it all squared away. I still say it IVo Uorkcv TORONTO MAPLL LLAFS 4, LOS ANGELES KINGS 3: Defenseman lan Tuehuli, celebrating his 22d birthday, scored the winning late in the third period in a comeback win over the Kings. LA led 2-0 late in the second period and 3-2 midway through the last period. NEW ENGLAND WHALERS 4, CLEVELAND CRUSADERS Tom Webster, an ex-Red Wing, scored three goals to "boost, the Whalers into a lie with CincinnajLi for the lead in the World Hockey Association's East division.

It was the 12th loss in (he last 15 games for Cleveland. i Pro Basketball Vri U2a KENTUCKY COLONELS 12H, ST. LOUIS SPIRITS 1(11: Guards Bird Averitt, with 25 points, and Ted McClain. with points; led the Colonels in a dull game enlivened by a fistfight in the fourth quarter between Ton Thomas and ML. Carr.

Marvin Barnes was high scorer for louis with 25 points, Ron Boone added nnd (red die Lewis 18. fit: 19751s Fran 's Year In NFL Il's Lasl Call tj Af i '1 'or Ski School Cool Miami Weallicr Greets U-M MIAMI (UP!) Fourth-ranked Michigan arrived in Miami Monday for its Orange Bowl showdown with Oklahoma New Year's night, and coach Bo Schembechler promptly put his Wolverines through a two-hour workout. "This is a great game and we're very happy to be here," Schembechler said in a brief meeting wilh the press before conducting the workout at the University of Miami's practice field. Schenihechler said ihe morale of his team was good but his main worry was getting his players In shape for the second-ranked Sooners. Michigan's last game was Nov.

22, when the Wolverines lost to Ohio Stale 21-11, in a game that decided (he Big Ten title. The Wolverines, whose flight arrived in Miami hours late, worked out in unseasonably (ool weather as temperatures hovered in the mid 50s despite sunny skies. About half the squad had to practice without uniforms when their jerseys were transported to ort Lauderdale, 25 miles to the north, instead of Miami. if 6 J. 4 1 3 This is it your last chance to sign up for the first four-week session of the 18th annual Lea rn-to-Ski School, co-sponsored by the Free Press and three metropolitan Detroit ski areas Mt.

Grampian, Mt. Holly and Mt. Brighton. All entries for the first session, which opens at those three areas on Monday, Jan. 5, must be postmarked Tuesday.

All entries bearing poslmarks of Dec. 25 and later will automatically be held over for the second four-week session, which Feb. 2. Less, i'is will be given Monday, Tuesday and Thursday nights for four consecuiise weeks and ski schoolers may select the right and the area that is best suited to them. The first class is formed each night at approximately 6 p.m.

and other groups are formed as skiers arrve. Each lesson lasts approximately 45 minutes and the last class starts about 9 p.m. Total cost of the lesjons an! rental equipment is $7 a night. If you have your own equipment, the only cost is $4 for the lesson. Chad lilt tickets are aNo available for an additional dollar.

Normal cost of the package is $15, making (he ski school one of (he greatest bargains in sports and without a doubt the most economical way to learn to ski. To enroll fill out the aTompanvi'e coupon, circling tru4 area J2 kP Photo There's a Florida greeting for the University of Michigan football team as the Wolverines land in Miami Monday to get ready for their New Year's Night date with Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl. The Florida welcome Is complete with girls and a band. ana session you wisn t-i i iip the coupon ana send it, along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope (so we can return our tickets to vnu) to: Ski School, Box 1883, Detroit, 48231. Do not send money, that is payable at the area when you take your lessons.

But remeniner, midnight Tuesday is the deadline for enierng the first session. If you want in the January classes, your application must be sent Tuesday! Are Steelers the Strongest Of the Strong in Playoffs? the Associated Press Fran Tarkenton broke four of Johnny Unitas' all-time National Football League records during the 1975 season and tied a fifth, while ageless George Blanda extended the many records he already owns. And, in a year when the offensive stars of the NFL virtually rewrote the standards, running backs Terry Metcalf of St. Louis, O.J. Simpson of Buffalo and Chuck Foreman of Minnesota joined the elite.

Also earning a spol among the sport's greats was Washington's Charley Taylor, whose 635 career receptions are two more than the record which had been held by Don Maynard. THE YEAR BELONGED MORE to Tarkenton than any other player. In his 15th season, the Vikings' quarterback now owns records for career passes attempted, passes completed, touchdown passes, 291, and most seasons with 2,000 Or more yards passing, 14. All of those records had been held by Unitas. In addition, Tarkenton tied Unitas' record of 15 seasons ith 1,000 or more yards passing and he moved within 1,400 yards of breaking Unitas' all-time yardage record.

Simpson's 23 touchdowns broke the record of 22 which was held by Gale Sayers. And his feat of scoring a touchdown in all 14 games tied a record by Baltimore's Lenny Moore In I96L Foreman, who had 22 touchdowns, set an all-time record for pass receptions by a running back, 73. And Metcalf had 2,462 yards on runs, receptions and kick runbacks, breaking by 20 yards the all-purpose record set last year by Mack Herron. Blanda, 48, only added to his records. They include mosl years played, 2fi; most games played, 340.

most consecutive games played 224; most points, most extra points made and attempted, 943 of 959; most field goals made and attempted, 3.15 of 638, and most passes intercepted, 277. Blanda's Oakland teammate, rookie Neal Colzie, established a record for the most yardage on punt returns, 55. Philadelphia quarterback Roman Gabriel, suffering through a poor season, set a record he would as soon not have, 96 career fumbles. Minnesota's veteran defensive end, Jim Marshall, can appreciate people such as Gabriel. He set a record for most fumbles recovered, 26.

His 222 games are the most ever played by a defensive player. Eye's Beller, Foreman Will Start for Vikings Continued from First Sports Fire Press Learn-to-Ski School Name Mt. Brighton Address Mt. Grampian City Mt. Holly 1st Session (Starts Jan.

5-8) 2nd Session (Starts Feb. 2-5) Circle which area and which session you want. Be sure to enclose a stamped, self-addressed return envelope so your ticket may he mailed to you. Send entry to: SKI SCHOOL, Box 1883. DETROIT, Ml 48231.

NFL Playoffs National Conferaice SATURDAY, DEC. 27 St. Louij (1 1-3) at Los Angeles (12-2), 4 p.m., Channel Q. SUNDAY, DEC. 28 Dallas (10-4) at Minnesota (12-2), 1 p.m., Channel j.

American Conference SATURDAY, DEC. 27 Baltimore (10-4) at Pittsburgh (12-2), 1 p.m., Channel Q. SUNDAY, DEC. 28 Cincinnati (11-3) at Oakland (11-3), 4 p.m., Channel Q. FP Pin Tourney Extended a Week By the Associated Press Others have traveled the same road.

But not many. For the Baltimore Colts, this is a vear they will never forget, the time when they became the first National Football League team to go from the bottom of Iheir division to the top in a single jump. The euphoria may soon wear off, however, now that the league has pared its 26 teams to eight for the playoffs. Again, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings appear the strongest of the strong. And the Colls will likely have to heat both to make this a Cinderella year that would rank among the greatest achievements in the history of team sport.

THE I OS ANGELES RAMS and Oakland Raiders are back. So are the St. Louis Cardinals, with a year's experience from last year's storybook finish which nearly equaled this year's Colls' saga. And the Dallas Cowboys, completing a rapid rebuilding program, have made it, as have the Cincinnati Bengals. All eight, pointing to Super Bowl on Jan.

18, begin play in (his weekend's quarterfinal round of playoffs. The Colts (10-4) meet the Steelers (12-2) in Pittsburgh on Saturday, and the Bengals travel to Oakland on Sunday. The winners meet in a Jan. 4 semifinal that will be played at Pittsburgh if the Steelers win. If the Steelers lo.se.

the Raiders can host the semifinal by winning. In the unlikely event that both the Steelers and Raiders lose, the Colts would host the Bengals. IN THE NATIONAL Conference, St. Louis (11-3), is at Los Angeles (12-2) on Saturday, and Dallas (10-4)' is at Minnesota, (12-2) on Sunday. The Vikings can host the Jan.

4 semifinal by winning. Otherwise, the winner of the St. louis-Los Angeles game would have the home-field advantage for the next round. The Steelers, seeking to join the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers as the only teams to win two Super Bowls, had their ll-game winning streak snapped hy the Rams last Sathrday. But Pittsburgh, its powerful offense led by Terry Bradshaw and ranco Harris and its Steel Curtain defense as strong as ever, seems ready.

"What this does is put everything back into perspective," defensive end Dwight White said following the 10-3 loss to Los Angeles. "Once in a while you need to relearn the fact thai, if you don't play with 110 per cent effort, you can lose lo a good team. snowball antics of Buffalo Tarkenton was upset with the fans. "Chuck could have had his eye put out," said Tarkenton. "I hil.

It was a most disturbing got hit lfl or 12 times. All of us g(U hammered a 70S series, high in the city by a woman this vear. She had games of 24K, 208 and 252. Entries will remain open through the duration of the tournament, which offers top prizes of $5,000, $2,500 and $1,250. To enter, captains merely need clip and mail the accompanying form.

The fee is $8 a bowler and covers all cosis. Following are Ihe leaders: "We were reminded that we don't like the feeling that goes with losing," said coach Chuck Noll. "It hasn't happened to us in a long time and maybe we needed a reminder." ALIGNED AGAINST them are the Colts, riding a nme-game victory streak and an incredible success story built on the arm of Bert Jones, ihe legs of l.ydell Mitchell, the ferocity of a front four called the Loonev Tunes and the apparent coaching genius of Ted Marchibrooa. ''He put everything together," said Mitchell of Mar-chibroda. "Without him, we thing." What bothered me more than anything is that it was mostly adults' making snowballs.

We all want to say that the kids aren't like they used to be. Maybe the problem is that the parents aren't like they used to be." Because of the cascade of snowballs coach Bud Grant ordered his team into the dressing room ilh 45 seconds to play, leaving only II defensive players on the field. wouldn't be here today. He said he believed in us. You looked at him IIkc he was crazy, the way we had been down.

He took us and put our house in order." When the season opened, the Rams were as strong on paper as any team. But Injuries have riddled Ihe team and the club does not seem as strong as the Steelers, despite last Saturday's victory. The Bengals, meanwhih, have played well except for two losses to the Steelers and may have pro football's best young quarterback in Ken Anderson. In the National Conference, the Vikinps and Raiders would appear to have an edge on the Cowboys and Cardinals, liut both have lost big games before and the Cowboys and Cr-r-dinals have won consistently The weekend snowstorm threw a knockout punch at several hundred scheduled bowlers in the F'ree Press Stale Open team bowling tournament, and as a result, the giant meet has been extended lor one more week. "An awful lot of them were trapped hy the weather Saturday," said tournament director Buck Walby, "and couldn't make it to Thunderhird Lanes for their tournament bid." Because of that, the schedule has heen juggled to allow them a shot in the tournament's final round, now scheduled Jan.

at Thunderhird. THOSE WHO did make it to the lanes Saturday saw the hottest shooting of the competition. It came from Dorothy Jenkins, of Detroit, a therapist al the Plymouth State Home and Training School. Dorothy, who averages 184 at Palm Beach Recreation, BMFTITL, Jams Collini, Dclroil X) Gift wrapped, in Packt and Bout 3597-391 J17S-S1 3J3J-401 illMI) 3311-43) 31 317-M1 U9 444 Lions' Final Statistics DletT Five, Lenny MAditon Htiqhlj Ricn Hive, Enrico Odonco, Utica Sandhaqatri, Rich Taylor, Detroit McOcnAld Mobile Homes, Dan Slaton, Berkley McRinnis Five, John McGinnis, Detroit Blsck nd Wlile Together Samella Walker, Detroit Cycle, Jim faost, Werren Aubrey's Slung CINCINNATI (UP!) -The Cincinnati Stingers Monday gave veteran goalie Serge Aubrey his outright release. GIVE ICING EDWARD Amtrici't Ltrgttl Stlllng Cgtr Untiling Scoring L- Thompson 13 271 JJ 4 33 King 4 III 14.3 19 Wetter 1 42 14.0 70 West 2 41 20.

75 Bustey 3 31 19.0 21 Hooks 3 I 40 1 Lion Total 32 1114 21.4 42 Opp. Total S3 I0M 10 49 Vdi. Ave 494 4.4 TO FO PAT Pis. 0 1 4-21 23 29 47 4 0 0 34 4 1 0 24 4 0 0 34 4 0 0 14 Kr-vl Five, William Knowles, Detroit 1I55S7 Tight-lint, Gall Shapiro, Troy JIS7-534 JUNIOR BOWLING BALL PROGRAM Lonq Cam 33 34 44 24 22 14 14 I 2 44 17 Alt. 157 1S St 41 34 20 3 4 $35 4K Busiey Tdylor B.

Thompson King Reed Landry Staqaers Jarvn Munson Lion Total Cpp. Total Mann Bussey Taylor Jarvis Briscoe Sandtr King Siangan Ball Davit Johnson O'Neil Reed Lion Total Opp. Total itt 193 2 'i II 3 1147 in the clutch. GETTING TO THE Super Bowl is getting to be a habit for Bud Giant's Vikings, whose three appearances there are matched only by Miami. But the Vikings are also the only team to have lost the Super Bowl more than once, and they've done that three times.

Purchase new Brunswick Bowling Boll at Reiilor Bowlmq Trophy Stile Proper wfght for you 9 to 16 lbs custom fitted and 0i irr Detroit l-'ree Pjts State Team Htm lin: Tournament 3 0 0 II 1 0 0 13 'J Interceptions 10 0 1 10 0 1 0I NO Vdl- "41. 1 0 0 4 Barney 33 4.1 13 24 11-71 15 24 243 Jauron 4 34 4 1 31 31 14-23 26-31 241 Johnson 1 17 13.7 4 precision drilled for you. for onl Parsing 2 The net year, when your weight requirements and finger span change return your ball and Captain's Name Thone Lasiavic i ii 60 10 Naumoff I 11 Davit I 47 47 0 47 Punting AM. Comp, 141 it tOf ti 34 31 Khonqt tl lot onothti of proper weight, cuttom Yds ltll 476 403 2740 2377 Long Hand 1 It Mt il I Reed Munson Landry Lion Total Opp Total tor only 56.00 fitted ond preoMoti dulled for you 362 l3 360 111 BHUNSWICK AMF EBONI1 COLUMBIA Weaver Mann Lion Total Opp. Total No.

Yds. Ave, Punt Weaver 1 31 31 0 31 10 JJ61 47 0 41 I Weger 1 73 13 0 13 I 31 34 0 34 Lion Total 10 315 IS I 17 11 JJ95 41.4 II Opp. 12 12 41 29 10 2951 34.9 47 Keturns I mmmmnmfynvyyvr! Keeehing BALLS BAGS SHOES Custom Filli I Nation Drln While You Wail Long Punt Ave. Caini Address City Circle First Choice Squad Time: 11:30 a.m. 2 p.m.

4:30 p.m. 7 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Circle Preferred Date: SATURDAY Dec. 27 Jan.

SUNDAY Dec. 28 Jan. 4 This form must be accompanied by check for $21, covering team prize fee. Clip and fnail to Tournament Secretary, Thiiniierbird I nnes, 411!) V. Maple Troy, Michigan.

Give a Chnstmai Gift Certificate Open Sunday 1 1-5 No Yds. Ave Rel. tlllllHIf riltll JK I I 37 14 10 0 43; "mVBiiV! ft 11 'M si QllSHy I Wosl Barney Jauron Lion Total Opp. Total REDFORD BOWLING TROPHY SALES No. 193 181 Yds.

466 501 347 111 111 174 173 41 41 loe 41 3140 1377 Sanders Ji vis Briscoe Taylor 8. Thimpson Siaooers Bussey King Farmer Franklin McM.ilon Lion Total Opp. Total 42 54 17 21 23 IS 12 34 30 45 17 3 IS I S.J 1.9 13 4 124 4 2 14 3 21 I 31 I 12.3 1 J.I 16055 I 17377 lOQI I 7645 16055 25168 Kiekoff Heturn 1 Jr.WilVMXfiU'lV; II five Mil W. Worren I 38811 JohnR. 541-5700 liv.rnon 0rth(ird Id Allen Rd.

1 535-7300 581-7779 UN 4-7939 33300 I381-87QQ no 54 I B. Thompson.