V .LACE'S TECH-continued omore year. Dodd says the starter each week will be determined by the way the two shape up during practice sessions and in previous games. The competition here will be terrific. Sophomore Bruce Fisher had a great spring and may figure in the picture this year although chances are that he will be held out. Dave Sewell, a big, strong sophomore, may also get a chance to play this position some although there is some talk of moving him to defense. Jerry Priestly and Eddie Jordan are other offensive quarterbacks who might figure in the picture. The corner linebackers who play defense for the quarterbacks are experienced and capable. Don Toner, one of the best in the country last year, is back and will be the number one man at this position. Back of him will be Jon Martin, a good pass defender and a hard tackier with an unfortunate propensity for injury. Richard Hall, a promising sophomore, had an excellent spring at this position and will play some this fall.
Tech's halfbacks are the best since '56 Even with the loss of two superior backs like Billy Williamson and Chick Graning, Tech still boasts the best halfback crop since 1956. Leading light at left halfback will be Joe "the Tourist" Auer, who impressed everyone in the country during last year's Gator Bowl game. Auer had an excellent spring and in the words of Dodd, "he has the best potential of any back we have had around here in a long, long time." The right halfback will be Zollie Sircy, a senior who flashed signs of brilliance all during last season and who now should come into his own as a starter. At this writing the number two left halfback is Doug Cooper, a junior who played some last year. Cooper, a good defender and pass receiver, is being pushed by transfer Tommy Jackson, a Miami Edison product, who sparkled in the spring game on both offense and defense despite the fact that he was injured during most of the spring practice. Gerry Bussell, a sophomore speed merchant can't be counted out of this position, either. But, barring injuries, Auer will be the man who will be on the field more time than any back this year. Right halfbacks now listed in back of Sircy include another future star, Jeff Davis, a 196-pound sophomore who was one of the most impressive backs in spring practice. Others that showed promise in the spring are Johnny Nix, best blocker among the sophomores; Johnny Gresham, a Jimmy Thompson-built speed merchant; Kenny Allen, son of the former Kentucky great; and Johnny Sinclair, the converted quarterback.
blocking and straight-ahead running abilities and because playing back of Auer might get boring. His desire and intelligence may make him the number two fullback by the time the season gets underway. The top fullback, of course, will be Mike McNames, who returns from a great season at this position last year. Ray Mendheim is another fine running fullback who lettered last season and will be fighting for the second-unit job this year. Back for a final season after an injury held him out of action last year is Larry Lafkowitz who flashed his old-time form as he led all runners in the spring practice sessions. Jimmy Barber and Howard Daughtry are sophomores with a chance of breaking through at this position this year. Tech's coaching staff returns intact this year and the offensive and defensive patterns will be just up-to-date versions of last year's. The team will be strong defensively and should pack a better offensive wallop than last year. Look for more passing to the ends this year and a ground offense built around the great, change-of-pace artist, Joe Auer. The backs will do more running and if the passing game can be strengthened this team could be worth being optimistic about. A lot depends on Gann and Lothridge. But a great deal more depends on getting through that awesome schedule week after week without losses of personnel to injuries. The determined Tech defense will again be depended upon by Dodd and his staff to take care of one of the tough opponents.
Winingder will be a double-duty man Tech Captain Tom Winingder, a defensive stalwart last year, is now listed at both halfback and fullback and will probably be groomed to play both positions this fall. Winingder is learning the fullback slot in order to utilize his SEPTEMBER, 1962
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