Blacksburg coach has high praise for Wolverines

"Woodruff is as good a football team as any team we will play." - Mickey Moss Woodruff's first four games this season have been nailbiters.

If history is any inidcation, the Wolverines' game today with Blacksburg likely won't be that close.

The Wolverines (2-2) fell to Greer in the last 1.6 seconds of the game before they beat Clinton by causing a fumble with 20 seconds left in the game. Woodruff tried an unsuccessful 2-point conversion in a loss to Abbeville before last week's lastsecond win over Chapman.

"All our games have come down to the last second," Woodruff firstyear coach Brian Lane said.

Last season, Woodruff routed the Wildcats, 47-9.

Blacksburg coach Mickey Moss said the Wolverines, who return eight starters on defense and seven on offense, are just as talented this year.

"Woodruff is as good a football team as any team we will play this year," Moss said. "Woodruff is similar to Chesnee defensively. They have really good team speed and will be hard to block."

Brealen Meredith, Devrio Holley and Noyphoner Byrson anchor a stout Woodruff defensive line.

The linebacking corps of Shawn Phelps, Keon Phelps and Trvaulrios Duncan is just as formidable.

"We need to establish the line of scrimmage and play on their side of the field," Lane said.

The Wolverines have talent on offense, too.

Jake Lambert is the triggerman for the Wolverines' new spread offense. Wideout Dominique Wilkins is one of the area leaders in receptions.

Maurice Gilliam is the team's top running threat. He ran for nearly 900 yards and scored 10 touchdowns a year ago.

Lane said he likes the gittiness of the Wildcats.

"Coach Moss has the team playing hard," he said.

The Wildcats had a bye week last Friday - an advantage, Lane said.

"It's always good to have a week off," he said. "You have that extra week to prepare for a team."

Moss said his goal for today's game is simple.

"We want to improve and play better on both sides of ball," he said. "We have played a very tough nonregion schedule. This help us get ready for the region."