Before They Drew X's and O's, Football 2014

Before He Drew X's and O's . . .

As you can imagine, many of the head coaches and assistants currently associated with city
leagues' football teams are former players. Since I'm ancient (smile), I wrote stories about
many of them during their high school careers.
We hope you enjoy this feature.
Would you like to see a story about someone who played in the Public, Catholic or Inter-Ac
leagues and is now a coach (assuming I did one on him)? Send me a note at tedtee307@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Ted

Chris Rhone Jr. & Sr.

This story, written in the 1988 football season, is about
Gratz linebacker Chris Rhone, who took advantage of a
brand new rule to make city history. He's now an assistant
at Gratz and his son, Chris Jr., is a running back for the
Bulldogs. We wish father and son the best of luck!

GRATZ LINEBACKER TAKES ADVANTAGE OF FUMBLE RULE

By Ted Silary, Daily News Sports Writer

The way Chris Rhone and Walt Taylor were playing, one never could have guessed that the Simon Gratz football teammates consider themselves to be chummy.

Twice at key moments in Gratz's 20-8 non-league, season-opening victory over visiting University City yesterday afternoon, Rhone treated Taylor like someone who had stolen his bankbook.

Rhone used his hands, an elbow, a hip . . . anything available to clear Taylor out of his way.

Is it not amazing what the sight of a just-fumbled football will do to an otherwise reasonable man?

Question Rhone's etiquette if you must, but give him credit for having the presence of mind to remember, at the drop of a football, that Public League teams now play under National Federation rules, as opposed to the NCAA's. Under National Federation rules, defensive players can scoop up fumbles and advance them.

"Some referee guy came to our field a couple weeks ago," Rhone said. "He was explaining the new rules. He was saying how fumbles could be picked up and advanced. I remember thinking, 'Now that's gonna help us. ' We always caused fumbles last year, but we could never run with them. "

Rhone, a 5-8 (maybe), 195-pound senior linebacker, experienced his first brush with the new rule on the game's second play. Greg Washington, University City's rough-and-tumble tailback, dropped a handoff for no apparent reason, then watched in horror as Rhone scooted 39 yards for a score.

Then, in the fourth quarter, with Gratz leading, 12-8, Washington again lost possession on a running play. Rhone covered 43 yards on this merry jaunt to the end zone.

"The guys told me afterward," Rhone said with a laugh, "that I pushed Walter out of the way both times. I thought it was just the first time. They said I was giving him elbows.

"I was being kind of greedy, I guess. Didn't want to take any chances. Wanted to be careful, keep things on the safe side. "

To look at Rhone would be to figure that teammates might be pushing him out of the way for a chance to run with fumbles. Squat and sawed-off are two adjectives that come to mind. Don't let appearances fool you. Rhone last spring ran a leg on the Bulldogs' 4 x 100-meter relay team.

"Once he got a step, that was it. It was over," coach Rich Kozlowski said. "Nobody was catching Chris, either time. "

"On the first one," Rhone said, "(end) Shawn Smalley turned around and said to watch the opposite side, that they'd probably be running away from him. That's what happened. I stepped up, saw the ball lying there and said, 'Hey, I can pick this up and run! ' Being caught never crossed my mind.

"The second time, it was easier. After Rob (Hart, University City quarterback) tried to get me right away and missed, I glanced to my right and nobody was chasing me. It was like they gave up, like they knew there was no shot. "

In Kozlowski's view, the rule change is quite the godsend.

"For some reason," Kozlowski said, "we tend to cause a lot more fumbles than we commit. I'd say last year we caused at least three a game, and often they were the kind we could have advanced. Instead, the kids just had to dive on the ball.

"It looked like we practiced that, right? Nah, we didn't. But maybe we should, just to make sure we keep doing it right. "

Actually, Gratz would better spend the time fine-tuning its offense. The Bulldogs were held to five first downs and needed eight plays to complete a 13-yard scoring "drive" that was capped 2:56 before halftime in impressive fashion.

On fourth-and-goal from the 5, junior quarterback Robert Alston retreated to the 26 - fending off Sean Ford all the while - before rocketing a pass to the end zone. Thomas Charlton's catch, a leaping, all-hands number in traffic, was as nifty as Alston's throw.

Gratz's rushing attack was led by starting tailback Donnell Samuels, who gained 81 yards on 15 carries. Tyreke Wilkins, his caddy, carried seven times for 16 yards. And where was Rhone, the fullback? Blocking mostly.

"This was a non-league game. It didn't bother me that I didn't run much (three carries, seven yards)," Rhone said. "We were trying to establish our tailback running. Fullback plays will come later. "

If Chris Rhone 's good fortune holds, so will chances to advance more fumbles.

The guy who just winced was Walt Taylor.