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1'ac;i:22- plaindkaler - fhiday, December 2,1953 / let's talk No clear-cut favorite has emerged Relaxed McMahon has Bears rallying By Greg Ives Shaw--Free Press Service WOODSTOCK - He can be brash, temperamental and a little tough to deal with at times, but one thing is certain, as Jim McMahon goes, so do the Chicago Bears. It's no accident that a more-relaxed McMahon has emerged the last four weeks of the season and it's no coincidence that he and his Bear teammates have been in a rallying mood at the same time. Jim McMahon The second-year quar­ terback was the guest speaker at a pizza banquet held in honor of the real guests of honor - the high school state football champion Woodstock Blue Streaks and Marian Central Hurricane football players at the Old Courthouse Inn. McMahon had his share of misfortunes in the season's first half and it's no secret he wasn't on the best of terms with Coach Mike Ditka. Following an early-season loss, McMahon was quick to voice his displeasure over the fact he was being platooned with veteran Vince Evans. Ditka, however, was the first to bury the hatchet, letting it be known that he was , ready to live, or die, with the blonde-haired former Brigham Young University signal-caller. It didn't make Evans' day - he jumped ship to the rival Chicago Blitz of the United States Football League - but eventually the true colors of the Bears came forward. Once floundering at 3-7, the Bears have ripped off three straight wins in weather that's been more suitable for fish. Furthermore, there's talk of playoffs. Since Pete Rozelle's (NFL com- # missioner) parity seems to " have stung the NFC Central Division the hardest, a team stands a better than average chance of making the playoffs with a 9-7 record. McMahon knows that, and the confidence that he's brimming with has spread throughout the club following a 13-3 win over a San Francisco 49ers team that was on top of the heap two years ago. McMahon would like to think the big reason for the Bears' turnabout was Ditka's vote of confidence. "After Mike had made his decision it took a lot of pressure off not only myself, Continued on poge 20 By Dick Rabbitt The Fox Valley conference basketball season promises to be a most exciting one this season. At this writing there is no clear cut favorite for the crown. Last year's co-champs Crystal Lake South and Jacobs are both struggling in the early going, and only last year's doormat Cary-Grove has emerged with a winning record through the Thanksgiving tournaments. With only seven teams in the league, each team will have a night off in conference play during each of the two rounds. Each team has picked up several non-conference op­ ponents to fill in the gap on their so-called holiday from con­ ference play. With the balance of the con­ ference very tight, it seems that no team can emerge without at least a couple of defeats during the season. As in the past, Fox Valley analysis any one can win on any given night. The Trojans of Cary-Grove under coach Jim Condill have to be the surprise team in the early pre-season. The Trojans, win­ ners of only two games last season, have already won four games. The Trojan's single loss was to St. Edwards of Elgin in the Green Wave Turkey Classic. The Trojans have seven let- termen returning. "It is the same team we had last year, only with a year of experience under our belt," said Condill. Leading the Trojans will be Scott Appel and Dave Ward, both starting at 6-foot-4, along with Mike Bindi at 6-foot-l. "We are not very tall, but we think we can rebound with anyone in the Fox Valley," Condill added. Other lettermen are Brad Block, a 5-foot-7 spark plug of the team, along with Rick Vodermark, a 6-foot-l hot- shooting guard. Mark Shea 5- foot-11 guard and Greg Wallis fill out the list of letterwinners. "We are a middle of the road team. We are not fast, nor are we slow," said Condill. , Warrior fans will get to see how real the Trojans are tonight at Buckner Gym, when they invade the Warrior den to do battle with our Warriors. Coach Arnie Kay of the Crystal Lake Tigers has put the pressure on two of his returning lettermen for a suc­ cessful season. Todd Howell, a 6- foot-2 senior guard and Corky Card, a 6-foot-3 guard. His main concern is the two named have to be more consistent - not only in scoring, but in the overall play. Both would score 20 or more points last year in a game, and then in the next would come up Action under the baskets will be a com­ mon sight on basketball courts throughout the Fox Valley. McHenry cen­ ter Mark Peterson makes a move under the basket during a late season loss to Jacobs last winter. with just four or five. "This just can't happen this season if we are to be successful," uid Kay. Along with Howell and Card, the Tigers can play Dan Key at • 5-foot-ll, along with Mark Statter, a 6-foot-3 letterwinner as a sophomore last season and Bob Harvey at 6-foot-l. The Tigers also have two out- • standing juniors to call upon in - Mike Williams at 6-foot-7 and 6- ! foot-5 Chris Burwell. The Tigers will try and fast : break, according to Kay. "I would ' have to pick Woodstock for the team to bear, but we should be right up there in the thick of the race," Kay ; said. The Tigers play host to ; another contender, the Dundee- Crown Chargers, tonight. I caught Gary Collins, the popular coach of the Crystal Lake South Gators, after his team was defeated by Glenbard North 83-33. The genial and fine coach of last year's co-champs that were defeated in the super- sectionals, was more than willing to express his views on the coming conference season. His first words were inex­ perience. The Gators have one returning letterman , senior forward Bill Buckles at 6-foot-4. "Buckles played just enough to earn a letter last season, about only 20 quarters. Some of them not full periods," Collins said. "How fast our kids can come along and adjust will determine our season." There is a battle for every position on the Gator squad, and according to Collins, com­ petition is fierce. Players that Collins plans to use this season other than Buckles, are Brian Beck at 5-foot-ll and Mike Frothingham at 6-foot-l at the guards. Junior Paul Prentice, an rail-conference football player, stands at 6-foot-2. Chris Kardys, a 6-foot junior, Steve Schulmeister at 6-foot-6 and 6- foot-4 senior-center Fred Sch­ warzkopf. Lost to the Gators for a period of time is senior Steve Dayton at 6-foot-3, who will play center on s Continued on pog* 21 Announcing: --The Coach Homes of* CHASEFIEL CROSSINC GRAND OPENING THE NEWEST CONCEPT IN CONDOMINIUM LIVING FULLY DECORATED MODELS NOW OPEN tm i^J CRYSTAL LAKE'S ONLY COACH HOME COMMUNITY IN A PARKSIDE SETTING B A L C O N Y DEN BDRM 10 7 * 12 5 BEDROOM 2 10 6 x 12 9 i_! L_d LIVING ROOM 13 0 * 15 5 DINING ROOM 9 8 * 11 6 MASTER BEDROOM 12 0 * 15' 11 Gracious, countrified coach homes are coming to Crystal Lake's finest location. Not like typical boring row houses, each low-lying 2 story structure has homes with views from private balconies or patios of the surrounding commons or adjacent parklands. Each offers spacious floor plans, its own attached garage and includes an impressive list of luxury features. < 4 2 mi BEDROOM HOMES TOE-GRAND OPENING PRICE L 53,900 EXCELLENT PERMANENT FIXED RATE FINANCING AVAILABLE RESERVE NOWANDSAVE! « When Chasefield Crossing is ready for move-In this December, the cost will be thousands more. However, your deposit will hold your home for you--and hold the cost down to the very special pre-grand opening price. A good percentage have already been reserved. Come see and save now! SOOlHHS SALES OFFICE OPEN DAILY 10 TO S0K BY APPOINTMENT PHONE 4SS-SS60 DIRECTIONS: Take Route 14 Northwest Highway to McHenry Ave. South on McHenry Ave. to Barlina Road West on Barlina to Golf Course Road. South on Golf Course Road to models. A Residential Development 11 Group. The Conf idence Duilder -- TheCoachtiyrux cf- CHASEREL ' u >*1x1 nwi mm