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Sports

Tuesday, December 9, 1997

Eagles place six of all-district squad

PECOS, Dec. 9 -- Three Pecos Eagles earned first team honors
on the 1997 All-District 4-4A football team, while three
others were named to the second team in voting by district
coaches.

The selections were made last month and released following
Sweetwater's 39-0 loss to Denison in the Region I-4A finals
on Saturday.

Seniors Robert Cravey and Jason Abila were named to the
first team on defense, while senior Jeremy Thomasson was the
Eagles' lone first team offensive selection. Two other
seniors, Jose Contreras and Jake Fowler, were second team
picks at defensive end and on the offensive line, while the
lone junior named from the Eagles, Oscar Luna, was chosen
both at cornerback and at wide receiver.

Both Abila and Cravey earned their all-district honors
despite playing hurt this season. Abila was hampered by a
late-season wrist fracture that hampered his play at
quarterback and has kept him out of basketball though the
first three weeks of the season, while Cravey's injury came
before District 4-4A play started, but was potentially more
dangerous.

He was diagnosed with a possible fractured vertebrae in his
neck and sent to Lubbock, where further tests showed the
incident had probably occurred sometime during the summer
but healed itself by the time it was uncovered in
mid-October.

Cravey wound up as one of nine unanimous selections on
defense, and was one of five interior linemen selected.
Abila was one of five cornerbacks chosen. He had two
interceptions, returning one for a touchdown, and was
boosted by his work on run defense, while the Eagles' other
cornerback, Luna, wound up tops in interceptions during 4-4A
play with four, while earning second team recognition.

Both players were two-way starters for Pecos, with Cravey
also handling the duties at center, in front of Abila at
quarterback.

Coaches selected Thomasson as the Eagles' best line blocker,
the first all-district selection for the two-year varsity
starter. He played tight guard for the Eagles while Fowler,
a three-year starter, earned his second team selection at
tight tackle.

Along with his interception total, Luna was also second in
the district in pass receiving this season, with 18 catches
for 364 yards and three touchdowns, in earning his other
second team berth.

Contreras was the lone repeat all-district pick for Pecos,
having earned honors as a junior after being moved from
linebacker. He led the Eagles in sacks this season.

Shaud Williams was again named Most Valuable Player of
offense for the district, though the junior lost out to Fort
Stockton's Jacob Vasquez for the 4-4A rushing title, while
Sweetwater senior Jonathan Palafox was the district's
defensive MVP.

Sweetwater had five players on the first team on defense and
four on defense in completing their third straight
undefeated regular season. Joining Palafox were senior
interior linemen Michael Castillo and Steve Weyman, senior
defensive back Dominic Solis and junior defensive end Jarod
Shelton. On offense, the Mustangs were led by senior
quarterback Andrew Boatright and wide receiver Brad Barnes,
senior lineman Landon Brim and junior Daniel Price, while
Barnes was also named as the first team punter.

Andrews, who was edged by Denison the previous week, had
four first teamers on defense and three on offense,
including Williams. Senior lineman Ricky Edwards and junior
kicker Chris Timmons joined Williams, while on defense, the
Mustangs had seniors Gustavo Levario and Jay Scudder on the
interior line and at end, and seniors Waylon Mayfield and
Cody Chesshire in the defensive secondary.

Big Spring, which finished second in district, was
represented on the first team by senior defensive end Jeff
Denton and senior linebacker Brock Gee on defense and by
senior running back Antwoyne Edwards, senior center Brady
Patterson, junior tight end Chauncey Ford and junior
offensive lineman Kurt Miranda.

Ford was the only tight end chosen on either the first or
second teams.

San Angelo Lake View had three players named on offense and
two defense. Seniors Danny Gomez and John Goolsby were
chosen on the interior line and at defensive end, while
district leading receiver Jorge Villarreal, lineman Adrian
Carter and running back Kendall Jones, all seniors, were
picked on offense.

Vasquez wound up as Fort Stockton's lone first team pick on
offense. The senior was joined on defense by senior
linebacker Scott Fish and senior defensive back Andy
Gonzales.

First Team
Offense
Center -- Brady Patterson, Sr., Big Spring, 5-8, 185.
Line -- Ricky Edwards, Sr., Andrews, 6-0, 202; Adrian
Carter, Sr., San Angelo, 5-10, 200; Kurt Miranda, Jr., Big
Spring, 5-10, 200; Daniel Price, Jr., Sweetwater, 6-0, 235;
Jeremy Thomasson, Sr., Pecos, 6-0, 230; Landon Brim, Sr.,
Sweetwater, 6-2, 205.
Quarterback -- Andrew Boatright, Sr., Sweetwater, 5-10, 170.
Tight End -- Chauncy Ford, Jr., Big Spring, 6-3, 210.
Wide Receiver -- Jorge Villarreal, Sr., San Angelo, 6-2,
175; Brad Barnes, Sr., Sweetwater, 5-10, 155.
Running Back -- Shaud Williams, Jr., Andrews, 5-8, 175;
Jacob Vasquez, Fort Stockton, Sr., 5-10, 170; Kendall Jonesm
Sr., San Angelo, 6-1, 176; Antrwoyne Edwards, Sr., Big
Spring, 5-11, 190.
Punter -- Brad Barnes, Sr., Sweetwater, 5-10, 155.
Kicker -- Chris Timmons, Jr., Andrews, 5-10, 140.

Defense
Interior Line -- Danny Gomez, San Angelo, Sr., 5-10, 185;
Michael Castillo, Sr. Sweetwater, 6-0, 220; Steven Weyman,
Sr., Sweetwater, 6-2, 250; Robert Cravey, Sr., Pecos, 6-2,
235; Gustavo Levario, Sr., Andrews, 5-6, 205.
Defensive Ends -- Jeff Denton, Sr., big Spring, 6-0, 210;
Jay Scudder, Sr., Andrews, 5-11, 205; Jarod Shelton, Jr.,
Sweetwater, 6-2, 220; John Goolsby, Sr., San Angelo, 6-1,
220.
Linebacker -- Jonathon Palafox, Sr., Sweetwater, 6-0, 170;
Scott Fish, Sr., Fort Stockton, 5-10, 195; Brock Gee, Sr.,
Big Spring, 5-9, 220.
Secondary -- Dominic Solis, Sr., Sweetwater, 5-7, 130; Jason
Abila, Sr., Pecos, 6-0, 150; Waylon Mayfield, Sr., Andrews,
6-2, 175; Cody Cheshire, Sr., Andrews, 5-9, 155; Andy
Gonzales, Sr., Fort Stockton, 5-8, 140.

Second Team
Offense
Center -- Kyle Lebby, Jr., Andrews, 5-11, 190.
Line -- Gage Aaron, Sr., Ft. Stockton, 5-10, 170; Jeremy
Collier, Sr., Big Spring, 5-10, 230; Jake Fowler, Sr.,
Pecos, 6-3, 270; Beau Moore, Sr., Andrews, 5-10, 195;
Richard Reyes, Jr., Sweetwater, 5-10, 180.
Quarterback -- Alonzo Robinson, Jr., San Angelo, 5-7, 120.
Wide Receiver -- Oscar Luna, Jr., Pecos, 5-8, 145; Waylon
Mayfield, Sr., Andrews, 6-2, 175; Isaac Flores, Jr., San
Angelo, 5-9, 150.
Running Back -- Jacob Rios, Sr., Big Spring, 5-8, 165; Moses
Brown, Jr., Sweetwater, 5-8, 180; Willie Amos, Soph.,
Sweetwater, 6-0, 160; Scott Fish, Sr., Ft. Stockton, 5-10,
195.
Punter -- John Wayne Bailey, Sr., Fort Stockton, 6-0, 200.
Kicker -- Carlos Vasquez, Sr., Fort Stockton, 5-10, 220.

Defense
Interior Line -- Anthony Hutton, Sr., San Angelo, 5-8, 230;
Carlos Vasquez, Sr., Fort Stockton, 5-10, 220; Joe Loya,
Soph., Big Spring, 5-8, 210; Dusty Clayton, Jr., Big Spring,
6-2, 205; Scott Caldwell, Jr., Fort Stockton, 6-3, 220.
Defensive Ends -- John Wayne Bailey, Sr., Fort Stockton,
6-0, 200; Jason Brock, Sr., Big Spring, 6-0, 205; Jason
Gomez, Sr., Sweetwater, 5-8, 160; Jose Contreras, Sr.,
Pecos, 6-0, 200; Jorge Ramos, Sr., Andrews, 6-0, 215.
Linebacker -- Chase Wiest, Soph., Fort Stockton, 6-2, 215;
Jacob Rios, Sr., Big Spring, 5-8, 165; Timo Guevara, Sr.,
Andrews, 6-0, 180; Brandon Long, Jr., Andrews, 5-11, 175;
Michael Gonzalez, Soph., San Angelo, 6-0, 190.
Secondary -- Scott Rhodes, Sr., Sweetwater, 6-2, 175; Brad
Barnes, Sr., Sweetwater, 5-10, 155; Oscar Luna, Jr., Pecos,
5-8, 145; Stormy Jackson, Sr., Andrews, 5-9, 150; Michael
Pules, Sr., Fort Stockton, 5-9, 155; Colby Sykes, Jr., San
Angelo, 5-10, 149; Joe Owens, Jr., Big Spring, 5-10, 158.

Eagles seek second win over Loboes

PECOS, Dec. 9 -- Expect play to be a little more artistic,
and expect to see a few more players tonight, when the Pecos
Eagles go for their second win of the season over the
Monahans Loboes, starting about 7:30 p.m. at the Pecos High
School gymnsium.

The Eagles began the 1997-98 basketball season three weeks
ago with a 58-52 victory over the Loboes. A 3-point outburst
in the third period by Jacob Chavez carried the Eagles to
the victory, after both teams struggled on offense in the
first half.

Both teams were also missing players that night, but will
have most of them back for the rematch game. The Eagles got
back forwards Fabien Adame and Moses Martinez last week, but
will be trying to break a four game losing streak when they
face the Loboes tonight.

The Eagles dropped games to El Paso Irvin and Ysleta and
Odessa Permian this past weekend at the Ector County
Hoopfest Tournament, leaving them with a 3-5 mark on the
season. "We've got to quit turning the ball over so many
times and we've got to rebound better," said coach Mike
Sadler following the Odessa tourney.

Monahans, meanwhile, went 2-1 this past weekend in the
Coahoma Tournament, with Cody Avery leading the way in
scoring in all three games. Avery put in 22 points in the
season opening loss to Pecos, but no other Lobo player could
get into double figures.

Along with Chavez' 22 points, Omar Hinojos put in 21 in that
victory, and had 20 in the Eagles past two games against
Permian and Ysleta.

Play opens today with the Eagles' freshmen against Monahans
at 4:30 p.m., followed by the junior varsity matchup at 6
p.m. It's the first of at least three home games this week
for all three Pecos teams, who'll be hosting the West of the
Pecos Shootout on Thursday through Saturday.

Pecos' girls are off toinght, but will be in Monahans
Thursday morning to face El Paso High, in the first round of
the Sandhills Tournament.

Cowboys' playoff hopes ended by Panthers

By DENNE H. FREEMAN
AP Sports Writer
IRVING, Texas, Dec. 9 -- The young Carolina Panthers put
two crushing losses on the old Dallas Cowboys twice in one
year. The end of an era may be close at hand.

Carolina whipped Dallas 23-13 Monday night to end the
Cowboys' five-year reign as NFC East champion. Only longshot
mathematical possibilities keep Dallas, winners of three
Super Bowls in the 1990s, in the wild card race.

``There's no question it's the most disappointing game we've
had,'' Dallas owner Jerry Jones said. ``It's extremely
disappointing. We'll have to examine some things in the
off-season. We made too many mistakes. We didn't give
ourselves a chance to win.''

Kerry Collins threw two touchdown passes and Fred Lane
rushed for 138 yards as Carolina stayed alive in the NFC
race.

``We're still in it, we're still in it,'' Lane said. ``This
was big for us to beat the Cowboys on Monday Night Football.
We were confident we could run the ball, and we did.''

Carolina evened its record at 7-7 while Dallas dropped to
6-8. With two games left, the Cowboys have only a remote
chance of making the playoffs for a seventh consecutive
year.

``The NFL is funny in that you can hit rock bottom one week,
like we did last week, and reach the top next week,''
Collins said. ``We go to Green Bay next. The road doesn't
get any easier. ''

The New York Giants have an 8-5-1 record in the NFC East,
and Dallas can't catch them.

``It's frustrating for everybody,'' Dallas coach Barry
Switzer said. ``It's frustrating on the coaches, on Jerry
Jones, on myself. Free agency has brought about the end of
an era. It's happened to every team.''

Switzer lost his third game in a row for the first time in
his career as a college and pro coach -- a span of 359
games.

``It's hard to watch this team become average,'' Dallas
quarterback Troy Aikman said. ``Nobody is willing to concede
that we had a good run early in the decade and now it's
over. Something has to be done.''

Carolina knocked Dallas out of the NFL title contention last
season with a 26-17 victory on Jan. 5 in the NFC divisional
playoffs.

``We have a legitimate shot at the playoffs now,'' guard
Greg Skrepenak said. ``We just played our best game of the
year.''

Carolina coach Dom Capers agreed.

``We really bounced back and played a tremendous game,''
Capers said. ``We've still got a playoff chance.''

Collins, who threw a 15-yard TD pass to Rae Carruth in the
second quarter, guided Carolina on a 69-yard drive to open
the second half. Collins put the Panthers ahead 17-6 by
hitting Scott Greene on a 1-yard touchdown pass.

John Kasay kicked a 40-yard field goal to start the fourth
quarter, making it 20-6, then added an 18-yarder with 53
seconds left to finish off the Cowboys

Aikman hit Michael Irvin with a 52-yard touchdown to pull
Dallas within seven points with 6:33 left.

However, with a fourth-and-1 on the Carolina 45, Aikman
rolled to the right, got in trouble, circled back under
heavy pursuit and finally fell down for a 25-yard loss with
3:27 left. Safety Chad Cota got credit for the sack.

``I was just trying to make something happen,'' Aikman said.
``It was a busted play. I rolled out but they covered it
well. I couldn't get around the corner.''

``If you can't make a fourth-and-1, then you don't deserve
to win,'' Switzer said. ``We just have to try to win the
last two games. They are pros and they get paid.''

The Panthers dominated the first half to take a 10-6 lead
over the Cowboys, who lost running back Emmitt Smith in the
first quarter when he reinjured his left shoulder trying to
make a block. Tight end Eric Bjornson also fractured his
left shin.

Collins, who fractured a jaw in the preseason and suffered a
concussion last week, hit Carruth for the TD after Kasay had
kicked a 34-yard field goal.

``This is devastating,'' special teams star Bill Bates said.
``It's been a long time since we had this feeling in the
locker room. We were gunned up and ready to play, but we
made too many mistakes -- like we have all season.''

Defensive tackle Chad Hennings added: ``This is something
this team hasn't experienced since 1990. It's not a good
feeling.''

The Cowboys lost their first eight games and last seven
games in 1989, the first season after Jones bought the team
and brought Jimmy Johnson in as head coach. That team
finished 1-15. A year later, the team twice lost three games
in a row during a 7-9 season.

There hadn't been three losses in a row since. Until now.

``It's been a great run through the 1990s,'' Bates said.
``We'll find out about some of the people on this team in
the next two weeks.''

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