Friday, October 13, 2000
New team, same success for Wyoming
Despite losing entire offense, Cowboys in line for 4th straight CHL title
By Dave Schutte
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Not much was expected from Wyoming this season. The Cowboys lost their entire offensive unit because of graduation, and only four defensive starters returned from a team that went 9-1 last the regular season.
Some predicted a rebuilding year for Wyoming. However, the Cowboys (5-0 in CHL) need only a victory over Reading on Friday to secure their fourth consecutive league title and Division IV playoff berth.
“We had 11 seniors playing offense last year,” coach Bernie Barre said, “P.J. Pope (tailback) didn't start but played a lot, and we knew we could count on him this season.”
The biggest question was quarterback with no experienced players ready to step in to fill the shoes of Kyle Lewis, the grandson of former Wyoming coach Bob Lewis.
John Gale, a 6-foot-1, 180-pound junior who didn't play football as a freshman, has filled the bill, Gale has completed 39 of 73 passes for 615 yards and six TDs in posting a 6-1 overall record.
“We were concerned about the quarterback position last year,” Barre said. “We knew John was a good athlete so we moved him from wide receiver/outside linebacker to quarterback for the junior varsity to get him ready.”
Barre admitted that Gale has made a few mistakes but has more than exceeded expectations and stepped up in big games.
A 5-foot-11, 215-pound ju nior tailback, Pope also has delivered. He has rushed for 923 yards and scored 11 touchdowns.
“P.J. can pound it pretty good and teams get tired of tackling him,” Barre said. “He's fast but (tailback) Jeff Davis (294 yards rushing) is quicker and also a threat.”
The offensive line has been the key with first-year starters Scott Guttman (6-5, 210), Jarrod Russell (6-4, 225), Brian Smith (5-11, 200), Neil Smiley (6-0, 190) and Richie Link (5-11, 230) getting it done in the trenches.
Losing 15 plus players to graduation has proved to be a blessing for Barre.
“This is the biggest team we've ever had in terms of numbers,” Barre said. “At one time we had 67 players but we're down to 64. A lot of kids came out who hadn't played before because of the open spots.”
One such athlete is Brian Smith, a 5-foot-11, 200- pound senior pitcher for the baseball team, who is playing defensive end.
“I don't like watching games so I decided to play my senior year,” Davis said. “We started believing we could do well after the Finneytown victory (third game). Everyone now has a lot of confidence.”
Wyoming's returning defensive starters of Pope, Zach Bucuvalas, Scott Guttman and Ryan Shelton also have delivered along with Eric Taylor, Andy Wasserman and Greg Salmen.
“The defense has played well,” Barre said.
Wyoming has two consecutive shutouts and has given up 75 points in seven games. The Cowboys have allowed an average of 170 yards a game.”
Barre knows that defeating Reading (5-2, 4-1 CHL) won't be an easy task because of the Blue Devils balanced offense and better than average defense.
“We know we have to contain (tailback) DeShawn Wynn,” Barre said. “Their quarterback, Zach Maxfield, throws the ball well and they have done a few things throwing the ball that have hurt some people.”
Maxfield's favorites receivers are tight end Chad Wiley, and two wide outs Tim Caldwell and speedster Charles Samples.
“Last year Reading went 0-7 in the CHL,” Barre said. “They have everyone back from that team along with DeShawn Wynn (transfer from Lockland), who makes them a pretty good football team.”
Reading hasn't won a league championship since 1968.
A victory over Wyoming and another over Deer Park the following week, would put the Blue Devils in position to win the title outright.
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New team, same success for Wyoming
