The Michigan Daily SPORTS Thursday, October 22, 1981 CUT BY LIONS, EAGLES Page 9 Hicks finds sec By JIM DWORMAN The Detroit Lions didn't want him. The Torono Argonauts wanted too much of him. The Philadelphia Eagles' didn't think he was good enough. Until October 24, 1979 that was the story of Dwight Hicks' professional football career. AFTER LETTERING at Michigan for four years, the .Detroit Lions chose Hicks in the sixth round of the 1978 National Football League draft. Despite impressive showings in brief, exhibition game appearances, Hicks was cut by the Lions prior to the opening of the regular season. The former Michigan co-captain then took his talents to the Canadian Foot- ball League, where he signed with the Argonauts. Hicks immediately stepped into the Toronto starting lineup, playing not only as a defensive back but also on every special team. While Hicks en- joyed the opportunity to play, he believed that he was being overworked. "They (the Canadian teams) play their Americans more because they're paid more," explained Hicks. "I was always on the field. I'd play defense, then I'd return the other.team's punt. Since there are only three downs in Canadian football and our offense wasn't very good, I'd have just gotten off the field when I'd have to run back in and play defense. I never got to rest." HICKS PLAYED only one year for the Argonauts. He returned to the United States and signed with the Eagles in 1979 Unfortunately, his tryout with the Eagles had the same result as the one with the Lions; Hicks made it to the last player cut of the year before the ax fell. -Itwas a disappointment. I thought I should have made both Philadelphia and Detroit'recalled 6-1, 189 pounder."I was talented enough. I just didn't get the opportunity to show it. "I WOULD HAVE loved to play in either city.Ann Arbor is a short distan- ce from Detroit and I gew up only 10 minutes away from Philadelphia." Seemingly without a place inthe NFL Hicks returned to Detroit ot manage a health foods store. On October 24, less than two months later, Hicks was signed by San Francisco. Now, as a stating safety for the first place 49ers, Hicks has proved his wor- th. THE MOUNT HOLLY, N.J. native lead the 49ers in interceptions in each of the past two seasons. Last year, he was also the team's second leading tackler. "We feel quite fortunate to have Dwight Hicks on our team," said George Seifert, 49er secondary coach. "He's one of the more sure tacklers on trity wit the team and mentally he's very sharp." Hicks' intelligence has become an important asset to the 49ers this season. With three rookies starting in the San Francisco defensive backfield, Hicks has been forced into a leadership role. "HE'S KIND of our quarterback in the secondary," said Seifert. for a touchdown and the other 72 yards to set up another 49er score. In ad- dition, he recovered a fumble and ran it back 80 yards for another touchdown. Hicks also contributed a solo tackle to San Francisco's 30-17 victory. His per- formance broke 49ers club records for both interception return and fumble recovery yardage. "THE ONLY TIME I've ever been that productive was in the last game of my senior year in high school," said Hicks. "I intercepted four passes for two touchdowns and scored another two touchdowns as a running back." Now holding a secure spot on the 49ers roster, Hicks has two goals left in his career: "I'd like to see our team in the Super Bowl and I'd like to be an All- Pro," said Hicks. "I want to be recognized by my peers as the best at my position." With San Francisco now sporting a 5- 2 record and Hicks' having ac- cumulated four interceptions, both goals could be realized in the near future. t 9ers While his relative experience has come in handy, Hicks leads primarily by example Against the Washington Redskins earlier this month, Hicks tur- ned in what Seifert termed "the finest defensive performance of the season." In that game, Hicks intercepted two Redskin passes, returning one 32 yards FORMER MICHIGAN STANDOUT Dwight Hicks, now a defensive back for San Francisco, set two 49er club records earlier this season in a game again- st Washington. Hicks shattered one mark when he returned a fumble 80 yar- ds for a toucldown, and he broke another mark by picking off two passes for a total of 104 return yards and a touchdown. Football at Pioneer; best game in town ids hh,14 m By JESSE BARKIN ' Championship caliber football, believe it or not, is still in Ann Arbor. Football fans may not see any at Michigan Stadium, but they only have to wander across the street to find it-at Pioneer High School., The Pioneers are the top-ranked Class A team in the state, sporting an unblemished mark of 6-0. They have been impressive beatifig many of the area's top teams this season. SECOND YEAR coach Chuck Lori at- tributes much of his team's success to his senior leadership. "We have 25 or 26 great seniors who play," said Lori. "They're my leaders; they're the reason we're 6-0." So far this year, Pioneer has climbed to the number one spot after defeating what Lori described as some of their region's best teams. "Four of our seven ,pponents (including this Friday's, Yp- silanti) have been ranked in the top ten at-some point this season," said Lori. Arid so far, they have beaten a number one team (Catholic Central), and last week they beat the number two school, Adrian. ,,OUR DEFENSE has been awesome," said Lori. "Well, people tell usanyway. "There's a lot of strength and a lot of speed on that defense. There's only one kid that can't run under five flat in the 40," he said. "They're very intense, very aggressive." Leading the defense for the Pioneers are linebackers Andy Moeller and Steve Wiod. They are one-two in tackles on the team. Defensive back John Yarn leads the secondary with five intercep- tions. THE OFFENSE is headed by an unusual combination in that run- ning backGreg Parhan has amassed 578 yards in six games, six yards more than his nephew, Tracy Parhan's total of 572. The Pioneers run mostly an option at- tack, led by quarterback Al Smith, and they "pretty much" stay on the ground, but Lori said that they like to "open up and throw" on occasion. "We like to throw the ball," explained Lori, "but we're more of a run-oriented offense." Looking ahead, Lori said that he wan- ts to concentrate only on this week's game, but admitted that it was hard for the players not to look forward to the playoffs. Discussing his success as coach (number one in only his second year) Lori played down his importance on the field. "It's the talent. I just turn these guys loose on Friday night." And judging by his success this season, maybe Bo should listen and just turn his loose on Saturdays. The LSA Internship Program Will Be Accepting Applications for Summer and Fall Internships, 1982 October 12-Applications Available October 30-Applications Due Juniors in Natural Science, Math, CCS; Social Science, Humanities, BGS, and ICP, are encouraged to apply. ABORTION CARE * No Age Limit " Completely Confidential * Local Anesthesia " Tranquilizers " Birth Control-VD " Board Certified M.D.'s " Blue Cross/Medicaid I Immediate Appts. 526-3600 (Near Eastland) Ni e HryS Hurry, Sc SAVE 10 thru 30% and more, on many photographic accessories and equipment. All items are from our regular stock, and reduced from our regular prices. ale lasts until October 31, 1981. 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