University of Virginia Library

Football Frosh
Open At VPI

By Randy Wert

Cavalier freshman football
gets under way tomorrow at
Blacksburg as the Baby
Gobblers of Virginia Tech
provide the entertainment for a
Virginia squad intent upon
improving last year's 2-2-1
record.

Freshman coach Al Groh
will make his debut after
replacing Bill Clay who was
elevated to the varsity as an
assistant. A 1966 graduate of
the University and former
coach at West Point, Groh will
be attempting to continue the
fine record of Virginia football
teams against rival VPI, not
having lost to the Turkies since
1965. Last year's frosh battled
to a scoreless tie in Scott
Stadium.

Described by Coach Groh as
having "good speed and
average size," the Cavs feature
somewhat of a mini-backfield
which is capable of scorching
the turf with several breakaway
speedsters. Working from a
system similar to that of the
varsity team in order that the
newcomers may become
familiarized with it, Groh's
squad will use the I formation
offensively, with varying
defenses.

"We've been pleased,"
asserted Coach Groh, "with the
two local boys," meaning Kent
Merrit, running back, and Dan
Blakeley, linebacker, both of
Lane High School in
Charlottesville. Blakeley, along
with fullback Gerald Mullins,
will be the co-captains for the
opener in Lane Stadium in
Blacksburg. Groh also tabbed
several other players for their
standout work in pre-season
practices, including 5-foot 10
inch, 210 lb. lineman Steve
Shawley of Bellefonte, Pa.,
Paul Ryezek, brother of varsity
co-captain Dan Ryezek,
Harrison Davis, a 6-foot 4-inch
quarterback, and starting
linebacker and quarterback
candidate Craig Critchley of
Harrisburg, Pa.

Merrit and Davis were both
outstanding track performers
in high school. Merrit recording
the fastest time in the 100-yard
dash (9.4) on the east coast last
year in addition to his state
scoring title in the uniform of
the Lane High School football
team. Davis, from Bethel High
School in Hampton, Va., ran a
14.3 in the 180 low hurdles
and was a district leader in the
discus, broad jump, and triple
jump. Critchley played both
ways for Cedar Cliff High
School, leading the offense as
quarterback and the defense as
middle linebacker.