Saturday, September 27, 1997

Yellow Jackets travel on long road trip

By MARK WILSON / Abilene Reporter-News

LA VERNE, Calif. -- After a week off, the Howard Payne Yellow Jackets are on their longest road trip of the season, facing the University of La Verne.

The Yellow Jackets are hoping for their second win in a row, after taking a 28-18 win over defending American Southwest Conference co-champion Sul Ross State two weeks ago.

La Verne, also an NCAA Division III school, is 1-1 under head coach Don Morel, who has a 17-3 overall record with the Leopards.

"Traditionally, La Verne has one of the top Division III schools on the west coast," said HPU head coach Vance Gibson. "They were 7-2 last year, so I expect them to be tough for us. It'll be interesting to see how they handle the travel. The trip will give these guys an opportunity to see Los Angeles. It's going to be a learning experience as well as a football trip.

"And the open week really came at a great time for us. It's allowed us to get some kids well, and we needed to heal a little bit. I really think we took some positive steps against Sul Ross State. And we think we will continue to improve."

The Yellow Jackets have shown they can run the football, ranking 21st in the nation (258.5 yards per game) with backs Damion Vallery and Cliff Hall leading the way. HPU is second among ASC teams in rushing with 517 yards in two games. Vallery averages 7.2 yards per carry and is second in the conference with an average of 105 yards per game, while Hall is fourth with 78.5.

But HPU is last in the six-team league in passing, with a total of just 133 yards. Quarterback Corey Green leads the ASC in passing efficiency (203.4), but he has thrown only eight passes and completed six, with one touchdown.

The Yellow Jackets are first in the ASC in scoring defense, and second in total defense and rushing defense.

Sul Ross managed just 81 yards rushing against the Yellow Jackets.

Hall, who is second in the ASC in kickoff returns, averages 118 all-purpose yards per contest.

Howard Payne vs. La Verne

n When: 3 p.m. (CDT)

n Where: La Verne, Calif.

n Records: HPU 1-1; La Verne 1-1

n Last meeting: Have not played

n Injuries: HPU: QB Matt Green (sprained foot), out; DB Matt Spigner (sprained ankle), out; DL Dameion Miller (sprained knee), out.