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Thursday, October 23, 1997

Whitewright coach uses unofficial 'Zach Wood Mercy Rule'

WHITEWRIGHT, Texas (AP) -- Danny Edelman, head football coach of the Whitewright Tigers, explains his unofficial "Zach Wood Mercy Rule."

"We don't have a set number of yards or touchdowns. When things get out of hand, we pull him out and give the other kids a chance to run the ball."

Wood, a 5-9, 175-pound senior, has gained 1,242 yards on 62 carries in the seven games -- an average of 20 yards per carry while leading Class 2A Whitewright to a 7-0 record. He's scored 17 touchdowns, a scoring clip of better than one every four carries.

He victimized Tom Bean High School for 260 yards and three touchdowns on just 11 carries.

That 23.6 yards-per-carry average against the Tom Cats won't break the national high school record of 47.3 yards per carry set in 1953 by Ken Hall from Sugar Land, Texas. Nonetheless, it impressed first-year Tom Bean head coach Dan Gist.

"Once he gets into the open field he is nearly impossible to stop," Gist told The (Sherman-Denison) Herald-Democrat. "He is very fast. I don't know of too many people in the area who can tackle him in the open field."

Wood was third in the Class 2A 100-meter dash at the state meet in 10.8 seconds. At the district meet earlier, he was clocked in 10.4 seconds.

"We are surprised when he does not freeze everyone with a move and break a long run," teammate Corey Gentry said.

Although unbeaten, the Tigers are unranked, but Wood hopes that will change. Friday night, Whitewright plays Bells, which also is 7-0 and unranked. The winner will take a one-game lead in District 16-2A into the last two games of the regular season.

"I would rather win the state championship than have a lot of personal recognition," Wood said.

In the past four years, Wood has worked hard at being the player who can break a game open with a touchdown run from anywhere on the field. Last summer Wood added 10 pounds to his frame after spending hours in the weight room every day.

"It is not uncommon for the coaching staff to have to chase him out of the weight room after practice," Edelman said.

Wood could be a good running back without the extra work, but he wants to be more than just good.

"I do everything I can to be successful," Wood said. "I want to be better than good."

That success has drawn attention from colleges, some that are interested in Wood for his football skills, others for his prowess as a track athlete.

Southern Methodist University is recruiting Wood for its football program. Several other junior colleges and Division II schools have also shown interest in Wood as either a football player or track athlete.

"I want to play college football," Wood said. "I just don't know where yet."

He will worry about recruiting trips and college choices later. Right now he has other trips to make, quick ones through opposing defenses and into the end zone.