The Wichitan - Midwestern State University, Wichita Falls Texas

MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY | October, 20, 2004

SPORTS

Undefeated Javs Trounce Indians
Jennifer Tavlian | Sports Editor

Before Saturday, the Indians defense gave up an average of just 32.5 yards per game.
On Saturday, undefeated Texas A&M-Kingsville continued their winning ways, rushing for 169 yards against Division II’s top rushing defense and picking up a 27-3 win.
The loss ended a four-game winning streak by the Indians, who dropped to 5-2 for the season and 3-1 in the Lone Star Conference South.
Javs running back Ryan Beard filled in for Larry Williams and rushed for 107 yards. He became the first back this season to rush for more than 100 yards against the Indians.
Kingsville quarterback Daniel Taylor passed for 226 yards and wide receiver Maurice Washington caught six passes for 120 yards.
The Indians defense boasted two players with double figures in the tackles column. Jerome Jefferson and Cornelius Cooper rang up 15 tackles each.
Marcel Moses chipped in eight tackles, one sack and recovered one fumble.
“They played a very good team,” head coach Bill Maskill said. “We played our worst game, but sometimes you do that against a good team. You have to give Kingsville credit.
“I think the players were prepared, but if they don’t play well, we’re not coaching well.”
The Indians take to the road again to attempt to get back to their winning ways against the East Central Tigers on Saturday at 2 p.m.
The Tigers had their four-game winning streak snapped on Saturday with a 40-14 loss to Central Oklahoma. East Central was ahead going into the fourth quarter, but Central Oklahoma racked up 30 unanswered last quarter points.
“They’re a sound football team,” Maskill said. “They have a good coach and they play hard and play fast. They’re playing hard and aggressive.”
Both teams will try to bounce back from big losses, and Maskill sees similarities between the two teams.
“We’re both shooting for the same piece of that pie,” he said.

Rock, Paper, Scisors: The Sport Kings
Jason Palmer | Sports Column

Don’t look now, but the next national champion at a well-known childhood game could be walking down the halls among the rest of us.
The 2004 Rock Paper Scissors World Championship was held in Toronto last weekend and The College Store (formerly Rother’s) is going to send an MSU student to the national contest next year.
Yes…that Rock Paper Scissors (RPS as it’s known on the world circuit).
Yes…they have a national and world title at stake.
And yes…there are people that take it that seriously.
The 2005 North American Collegiate RPS Invitational Tournament will be held April 14-17 in Miami.
If the prestige of being the national champion doesn’t get your attention, the $5,000 top prize just might.
Who’d have thought, six years old, playing RPS with your friends on the playground. Years later, the skills of predicting your opponent’s move or just blind luck could earn that much cash.
The College Store, in conjunction with GotUsed, a national network of college bookstores, will select an MSU student (from a sweepstakes entry) to go to Miami.
AND…the winner can take a “trainer” to go along with them, airfare and hotel paid for.
“It’s kind of crazy,” Nicki Holbert, store manager, said “But we like to draw attention to the store.”
Last year, a lucky MSU student went to a taping of The Price is Right.
Ninety other campuses will send contestants to the event.
Amazingly enough, the chances of winning the $5,000 are only slightly less than paper beating rock.
But you’ll need to bring your “A” game if you want to walk away with the cash and have a scissors prayer at the World Championships.
First, you have to know the specific rules, no fudging allowed.
There are actually to many to list, but go to www.worldrps.com to find out.
Most are the normal kid’s stuff, just spelled out in regular language.
Once you know the rules, it’s all about strategy…and knowing your opponent.
The “pros” use terms like avalanche (that would be three rock throws in a row) or the devastating “fist full of dollars” (that is one rock, followed by two paper throws).
More specifically, throwing a rock could mean the player is frustrated, and getting someone off their game is crucial in this battle of wits.
If there is an MSU student capable of this level of concentration, dedication, endurance and blind dumb luck, they need to step up.
There is no telling how long the lines will be to fill out a sweepstakes entry at The College Store. But the winner will soon need to find themselves emersed in the rich history of RPS.
Just in the nick of time, “The Official RPS Strategy Guide” is available at the store and in bookstores nationwide.
Whomever is the lucky student, make us proud. And remember…
Paper beats Rock.
Rock beats Scissors.
Scissors beats Paper.

Just for kicks
Punter Toby Zachary enjoys life, football
Jennifer Tavlian | Sports Editor

A group of elementary-age girls scream for him and ask anyone who walks by if they know who number 40 is.
Fans in the stands wear shirts with his name and number emblazoned on the back.
Actions such as these are usually reserved for the star running back or starting quarterback.
Toby Zachary is the punter, and anyone aware of his performance this year knows he’s worthy of the fanfare.
He began life in football like many young boys, playing catch in the yard. As an eight-year-old playing for the Boys Club, he assumed the position at tailback and also got his punting career started. While attending high school in Callisburg, Texas, he played basketball, baseball, golf and track.
But football stuck with him, as he was an all-state tailback in high school. Callisburg High School boasted playoff appearances two of the four years Zachary played football.
“This is the sport I loved the most,” Zachary said. “I would love to be a part of football the rest of my life in some way.”
While it is evident he loves the game he has worked at for 16 years, it is also evident that the sport comes second to his true love; his wife.
Toby and Jenny Zachary (formerly Jenny Fulbright) were high school sweethearts and have been together for over nine years. They have been married for almost two and 1/2 years.
Zachary calls his wife his “biggest supporter” and while he wants to be a good football player, he also strives to be the best person he can be and a loving
husband.
“Marriage lasts forever,” he said. “Football doesn’t.”
Zachary wasn’t sure if he needed football in his life during his last year at MSU, but he comes back to the team as the only returning member of the punting and kicking staff.
“I wasn’t too sure if I needed to play one more year, but the Lord opened doors for me to come back this year,” he said. “I wanted to have fun and enjoy my senior year. I still loved the game last year and I never lost passion for the game.”
The 24-year-old acts as the big brother and mentor to a new punting and kicking staff that includes kickers Kristian Foster and Jeremy Littlejohn.
“These guys have been amazing,” Zachary said. “This has been the best year of all the years I’ve been here with the group I have now.
“These guys listen more and the whole team is better about listening. There’s more of a sense of senior leadership.”
This has also been a good year for his punting performance. He is averaging 36.4 yards per the Indians seven games this season. His punts have included two
touchbacks, 16 called for fair catches, 13 downed inside the 20-yard line and no blocks.
He earned the Lone Star Conference South Special Teams Player of the Week earlier in October for his performance in the Indians’ 30-26 road win over West Texas A&M. He had five punts for an average of 44.2 yards. Two of those punts
were downed at the one-yard line, and one of those led to a safety.
“This is it,” Zachary said of his performance during his senior year. “It’s a lot better atmosphere (on the team). There’s no pressure on me and I’m out here to have fun.
“I’m holding nothing back.”
The religious side of this punter is another thing he doesn’t hold back. Most athletes aren’t prepared to openly discuss their faith, but Zachary sets himself apart from the pack.
“When something happens, a lot of times a football player is accused of it and people think they cause problems in the community,” he said. “I’m working on
working with the Lord every day and living the Christian life. I’m trying to do the right thing and just enjoy life.”
Zachary, Foster, Littlejohn and deep snapper Jon Durand have a pre-game ritual designed just for them.
“The four of us like to pray for the Lord to watch over us,” he said.
Foster said he looked up to Zachary like a big brother, and Littlejohn took compliments a step further.
“Toby’s taught me how to be a better Christian person,” he said to the delight of his special teams brother.
The three punters and kickers stay to themselves on one side of the practice field, waiting for their turn to practice with the rest of the team. Zachary looks out at his teammates and defends that punters and kickers aren’t as odd as everyone makes them out to be.
He says they are just different.
“We’re technique and finesse,” he said. “We can’t just tackle somebody. We have to perform right then and there and be clutch. We don’t have all game to make it up.
“We only have a few opportunities a game to do our job.”
A person can take a poor performance hard, but with so few opportunities, Zachary tries to make the most of each play. Those few chances each game make him his own worst critic.
“I get down on myself pretty bad because I want to do the best for the team,” he said. “If I don’t, I feel like I let the team down.”
Bad performances can lead to a decline in his usually positive attitude, but not often. Littlejohn describes Zachary as the funniest and the hardest to make mad. Duran says he‘s the most unselfish guy on the team.
Zachary’s eyes shift down and he pokes the toe of his shoe into the turf, embarrassed by the attention he has received this season. After MSU’s Homecoming game, a group of six young girls make their way to the field with a pad of paper and pen in hand for their favorite player’s autograph.
“That’s happened a few times this year,” he said sheepishly. “I don’t feel like I should be the one giving autographs. I don’t feel special enough to stand out.”
Indians head coach Bill Maskill knows why his punter is making waves with the fans.
“He has punted the best he’s punted in three years,” Maskill said.
Zachary is leaving his future up to a higher power than himself. He would like to coach young kids or even high school, but a shot at the pros wouldn’t be a disappointment either.
“If the Lord opened the door, I would take it,” he said, smiling.

Volley goes 1-1
David Roach | Staff Reporter

The Midwestern State University Lady Indians (9-16, 1-4) finally stopped the bleeding Saturday afternoon when they out-powered Southeastern Oklahoma, 3-1 (23-30, 30-17, 30-23, 30-26) at Durant, Okla. They were sliding downhill and suffered a seventh-straight loss on the volleyball court Thursday when Texas A&M-Commerce took the momentum following a hair-raising second game to finish off the Lady Indians, 3-1 (23-30, 31-29, 30-25, 30-23).
MSU head coach Venera Flores said before practice Monday that her squad’s defense has been outstanding and said the offense is improving as well.
“The offense is definitely improving,” she said. “Abbi (Meyer) spring-boarded from having zero net kills against Commerce to getting nine kills (four net) against Southeastern.
“Our defense has been outstanding,” she continued. “As you can see, we had 86 digs against Southeastern.”
Kate Pence, LaToya Terry and Colleen Westfall all posted double figures in kills, and the Lady Indians totaled 61 kills as a team, minus 36 errors.
Obviously, MSU played well to pick up the win over Southeastern, but the Lady Indians could not manage a ‘W’ when they faced Commerce, a “bottom of the barrel” team according to Flores.
“We should have beaten them (Commerce),” she admitted. “We missed 11 serves. We cannot continue to miss serves.”
The Lady Indians garnered 53 total kills during that match but also had 26 errors. However, Flores did note that Commerce lost to Southeastern.
The Lady Indians missed more serves than they had aces during their match against Southeastern also, but their emotion on the floor undoubtedly carried them through the match.
“Our intensity was the highest it has been so far this season,” Flores said. “As a coach, I can tell whether or not we’re going to have a good match by the intensity the girls show in warm-ups. The enthusiasm we had there is something we have to have throughout the remainder of conference play.”
The Lady Indians will look to get revenge at Edmond, Okla., Thursday when they do battle with Central Oklahoma once more.

Girls Soccer
Whitney Schoening | Staff Reporter

This weekend the Lady Indians defeated both the Eastern New Mexico University Zias and the West Texas A&M Buffaloes.
On Friday October 15 the Lady Indians hosted a double-header with the boys and defeated the Eastern New Mexico Zias 1-0.
The two teams entered the second half in a scoreless tie. Lady Indian forward Crystal Sanchez at the 70:50 mark scored the lone goal with an assist by Jennifer Schroeder. The Lady Indians out shot the Zias 4-3 in the half. With MSU goalkeeper Elli O’Dwyer recording 2 saves.
The Lady Indians then went on to defeat the West Texas A&M Lady Buffaloes on Sun October 17, 2-1, in another double-header with the boys.
The Lady Buffaloes scored late in the first half at the 43:40 mark. Sarit Shenar scored an unassisted goal for the Lady Buffaloes giving A&M the lead into the second half.
The Lady Indians returned to the second half ready to reclaim the lead and scored twice. The first scored by Megan Dodson at the 52:42 mark putting it past a red shirt freshman goalie on a penalty kick. Crystal Sanchez scored the last goal of the game off an assist by Natalie Noblitt at the 61:27 mark. Lady Indian goalie Elli O’Dwyer recorded six saves. Overall the girls outshot the Lady Buffaloes19-17.
This was a much-needed win for MSU as a trip to the NCAA tournament. The Lady Indians improved to 10-3-3 overall and are now 4-2-0 in the Lone Star Conference. The Lady Indians will continue play on Friday October 22 against Angelo State in San Angelo Texas.

Boys Soccer
Whitney Schoening | Staff Reporter

This weekend the MSU Indians took on three opponents and resulted on two victories and one heart-breaking loss.
On Wednesday October 13, Number 23 nationally ranked MSU took on St. Edwards and defeated them 5-0. The Indians scored two goals in the 1st half and added three more in the second half.
Early in the game at the 22:38 mark Myron Davis scored an unassisted goal on a touch pass to beat the keeper. Not two minutes later at the 24:20 mark Jimmy Krueger scored off an assist by Ricardo Box, in which he beat the keeper and the ball sailed into the net at the lower right of the goal. MSU went on the score early in the second half. At the 45:16 mark Ricardo Box scored off a header through pass by Elliot Gallagher.
Indian Mid-fielder Tyler Fagan scored the last goals of the game. Fagan scored at the 77:40 mark off an assist by both Elliot Gallagher and Gerard Grehan. His last goal of the game was an unassisted goal at the 83:56 mark bringing the Indians to a 5-0 win against St. Edwards.
The Indians outshot St. Edwards 32-11 with goalie David Stockton posting 1 save.
This weekend the Indians also hosted a double header against the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds in which MSU defeated the Greyhounds 5-1.
The Indians took the lead early in the game, when at the 1:25 mark Jimmy Krueger scored an unassisted goal on a redirect pass into the box. The Greyhounds then returned the goal at the 22:08 mark when Albert Robinson scored off an assist by Martin Gallegos. The Indians final three goals were scored in the second half. At the 50:30 mark Myron Davis scored off an assist by Ricardo Box, who then went on to assist Chad Rakestraw at the 63:24 mark. After two assist Box went on the score at the 75:10 mark off an assist by both Gerard Grehan and Chad Rakestraw. Rakestraw then went on to score the final goal of the night off an assist by Grehan.

The Indians ended their weekend at home with a heartbreaking loss to West Texas A&M. The Indians lost to the Buffaloes in double overtime 2-1
The Buffaloes took an early lead in the first half when at the 29:06 mark Rene Gomez scored off an assist by Adam Villanueva. With the Buffaloes leading the Indians entered the second half ready to fight. At the 48:15 mark Ricardo Box scored off a penalty kick which put the score at 1-1. The score remained gridlocked throughout the remainder of regulation play, forcing overtime. At the 106:41 mark Kenneth Christensen scored off a header from Josh Fender allowing West Texas A&M to clench the victory.
This brings MSU record to 10-4 overall and 7-3 overall in conference play. The Indians are looking to bring home victories after playing this weekend to Incarnate Word and St. Mary’s in San Antonio.