18 - The Prince George Citizen -Friday, September 13, 1991 Character key in Lions’ drive by GRANT KERR Canadian Press As aum in fast approaches and leaves fall gently, there’s an amazing success story being shaped in the CFL’s outer reaches of the West Coast. Upstart B.C. has already won as many games as the Lions did in 18 starts last season and the schedule is just going into its 11th week. The Lions have done it with several hair-rising comebacks engineered by quarterback Doug Flutie, including a league record four overtime games. But the real reason for a 6-4 start, claims veteran fullback Chris Skinner, is the team’s inner character. “It’s a thing where you just don’t believe you’re going to lose,” Skinner said this week. “No matter what happens, you’re going to come out on top.” The Lions had their first laugher of the season Sunday when they beat Ottawa by 27 points, although their lead was just three points in the third quarter. This weekend they face Winnipeg, a team that took them to overtime in the second week of the schedule. B.C. won by three points and surrendered only one touchdown in regulation time against the Blue Bombers. Winnipeg at B.C.: The Bombers (6-4) have won four of five after a slow start. Quarterback Tom Burgess likes to throw deep, but only after Robert Mimbs establishes the run. B.C. (6-4) is on a roll offensively as Flutie leads the league in passing and escaping the pass rush. Prediction: B.C. by six points Saturday. Ottawa at Hamilton: The Rough Riders (4-6) are reeling after two losses to the Lions. Quarterback Damon Allen has missed injured wide receiver Stephen Jones, who gives the team a deep threat. Ottawa must do bet- ter job stopping the run. Hamilton (1-9) is moving the ball better with rejuvinatcd quarterback Mike Kerrigan, who can be dangerous when he’s in a ry-thym. But the Tiger-Cats have lacked consistency. Prediction: Ottawa by four points Saturday. Edmonton at Saskatchewan: The Eskimos (6-4) must play without injured quarterback Tracy Ham, which leaves the offence in the young hands of unproven Warren Jones. He has a strong arm and likely will go deep often to Jim Sandusky and David Williams. The Roughriders (3-6) must tighten their defence if they hope to pull into the race for a playoff berth. What they can do well is score points — 141 in three games since Don Matthews became head coach and quarterback Kent Austin got healthy. Prediction: Saskatchewan by three points Sunday. Toronto at Calgary: This battle of division leaders favors the Argonauts (7-3) because they’ve got the healthy quarterbacks — both of them. Matt Dunigan and Rick Foggie will test the Calgary defence deep and often. Calgary (7-3) will use second-string pivot Steve Taylor in the absence of injured Danny Barrett. Taylor had a miserable start last game against Edmonton. Prediction: Toronto by seven points Sunday. Prediction record: 10-10. Home-Held advantage: 25-15. Interlocking games: 11-7 West. The Riders visit Hamilton at 4:30 p.m. Saturday on CKPG (channel 2, cable 3). The Bombers visit B.C. at 7:30 p.m. Saturday on TSN (cable 16) and Radio C101 (FM channel 101). The Argonauts visit Calgary at 12:30 p.m. Sunday on TSN (cable 16). Phoenix feeling good by DAVE GOLDBERG Associated Press Eric Hill, the Cardinals’ out-tanding linebacker, is about the inly one unmoved by Phoenix’s 2-l start. “It’s not a surprise to us.” Hill aid. “It might be a shock to verybody else.” The Vegas guys know reality /hen they see it — the Cardinals o into RFK Stadium on Sunday s nine-point underdogs against the Vashington Redskins. Sunday’s game may be a home-oming for Phoenix coach Joe lugel, who built the Redskins’ iffensive line that is affectionately lubbed the Hogs, and Washing-on’s secondary may be hurting, lut that won’t be enough for the Cardinals. REDSKINS, 30-7 Giants (minus 1 Vi) at Bears: ^ characteristic of the Ray Han-llcy era (two regular-season games ind four exhibitions): the Giants vin one then lose one. Another characteristic: They’ve >eaten the Bills (exhibition) and i9ers regular season); lost to the Jrowns and Patriots (exhibitions). This is an up week. GIANTS, 13-6 Rams (plus 3) at Saints: Only five times in 25 years has New Orleans started 1-0. This is the only year the team has been 2-0. Anyone for three? SAINTS, 13-7 49ers (minus 214) at Vikings: Herschel Walker will NOT run for 125 yards. Steve Young might. 49ERS, 24-17 Bills (minus 8(4) at Jets: Repeating ... Who can stop Buffalo? Who can Buffalo stop? The Bills average 44 points and allow 32. BILLS, 44-32 Eagles (plus 3Vi) at Cowboys: This game just doesn’t seem right without Buddy Ryan to heckle the JJs. Or without Randall Cunningham. COWBOYS, 17-9 Seahawks (plus 6) at Broncos: Why does this game seem to be played about eight times a year? Why does Seatdc always finish 9-7? BRONCOS, 9-7. Bengals (minus 314) at Browns : Aren’t the Browns the leam that’s supposed to have been outscored 75-21 in its first two games? BROWNS 20-14 Dolphins (minus 114) at Lions: Statistical comer: Since 1984, the Dolphins are 2-1 indoors the week after they play Indianapolis. Win No. 300 for Don Shula DOLPHINS, 24-16 Colts (plus 8) at Raiders: Statistical comer II: The Raiders have been outscored 47-17 indoors this season. But they’re outdoors. RAIDERS, 27-13 Falcons (plus 114) at Chargers: Statistical comer III: The Falcons have lost 19 straight road games. Question: Who does San Diego fire this week? FALCONS, 17-14 Buccaneers (plus 414) at Packers: The world eagerly awaits Vinny against Bryce Paup. BUCS, 20-17 Steelers (minus 14) at Patriots: Dick MacPherson’s sideline dancing days are over. STEELERS, 27-7 Chiefs (plus 4) at Oilers: Why only a four-point spread, when: ■ Albert Lewis, the Chiefs’ best cornerback may not play; Kevin Ross, their second best, is limping; and Jayice Pearson, the third best, is out? Last year, Warren Moon picked apart the Kansas City secondary for 527 yards. CHIEFS, 21-17. Last week: 6-8 (spread) 8-6 (straight up) Season: 13-15 (spread) 17-1 (straight up) The Dolphins visit Detroit at 10 a.m. Sunday on KING (cable 6). The 49ers visit Minnesota at 10 a.m. Sunday on KIRO (cable 7). CITY LEAGUE FINE Hughes happy Dawn Coe missed this putt but was just one shot back Thursday. Free spirit on roll by BILL SEYMOUR Citizen Staff Dave Hughes found a job on a soccer club in Prince George before he found a place to live. The 24-year-old keeper for Lab-atl’s-Honda North was recruited by his club a month before he arrived in the city in June. A member of the defunct Calgary Kickers of the Canadian Soccer League, Hughes is settling into his new role with the North Cariboo Senior Soccer League. “Obviously when you are in a professional league it’s different,” Hughes said recently. “But here you still take it seriously and want to be prepared for the game.” Hughes played in Sunday’s 1-0 season-ending shutout over Nin-er’s-Molson, a result that gave his team the regular-season title. He is also a good bet for the starting job in Sunday’s NCSSL semi-final playoffs. Sunday, Labatt’s and Quesnel City Furniture both will meet the winner of Saturday’s first-round playoff games. Semi-final play in both the Cariboo and Recreation Divisions of the NCSSL begins Sunday at 1 p.m. at Rotary Field. A chemical engineering graduate from the University of Alberta, Hughes spent five seasons with the University of Alberta Golden Bears and three seasons with the Calgary Kickers before moving to Prince George. He played alongside Labatt’s Sonny Powar while a Golden Bear. When word got out Hughes took a job at a city pulp mill, the Prince George club moved quickly to recruit him. His arrival has brought depth to a team that already held one of the league’s premier goalies. For Labatt’s coach Orlando Mauro, juggling Hughes with usual netmirtder Glenn Focrster is unique challenge. “We’ve never had the luxury of two excellent goal keepers,” said Mauro. “We are quite fortunate.” Recently the team has used Focrster as a forward when not playing ncL His large size and speed make him a flexible player, said Mauro. “Glen Forester has been there for us and he’s enough of a man to know we are in this situation and we do our best to alternate,” Mauro added. Hughes was a student throughout most of his CSL career. He maintained his amateur status to be eligible for university with a special amateur contract that helped him cover some of his living expenses. Only about 10 per cent of players actually made a living through the game when he was in the CSL, said Hughes. “It’s a nice league to play in but it’s not a league you get a lot of money in,” Hughes said. “One of the highlights playing soccer in the CSL is that there are some great players.” With just a handful of'NCSSL games behind him, Hughes says he is getting a good feel for the flavor of soccer in Prince George. COQUITLAM (CP) — Free-spirited Debbie Massey plays a mean game of golf — when she’s not skiing, scuba diving, hunting, fishing or restoring old cars. Massey even won a Ladies Professional Golf Association tournament last year when she took a break from her hobbies. The 40-year-old shotmaker from Hilton Head, S.C., could be headed for her fourth tour victory after an terrific start Thursday in the $700,000 US du Maurier Classic at the Vancouver Golf Club. Massey fashioned a five-under-par 67 when she birdied the final two holes to pull into a tie with Laurie Rinker and Trish Johnson. One shot behind the leaders was Canadian pro Dawn Coe from Lake Cowichan, B.C., after a solid 68. She was tied with Cindy Mackey going into the second round of the 72-hole event over the 6,421-yard layout. Damp weather didn’t seem to hamper the tourists, especially not Massey. “We’re coming into my time of the year,” she said. “I played hookey for the first four months of the tour.” After the late start — she went skiing — Massey’s best performance was a sixth-place finish in the JAL Big Apple tournament. Massey feels she’s ready to strike in the fourth and final major tournament of the LPGA schedule. “I love the competitive situation,” Massey said. “I feel lucky to be doing this for a living — this is fun.” Massey had five birdies and one bogey, the same as Johnson, who splits her time between the LPGA and European tours. Johnson was six-under with two holes to play in the opening round but bogeyed the eighth (she started on the 10th tee) when she drove into the rough — the only time she missed the fairway off the tee. JoAnne Camer scored the third hole-in-one of her illustrious career when she aced the par-three 12th with a seven-iron. Camer finished with a three-over 75. Coverage begins at 11 a.m. Saturday on BCTV (channel 12, cable 11) and resumes at noon Sunday on BCTV. ua rl/(U4-!! P.G. Women’s Soccer would like to thank the following: Tony Wilson - Gordon Biener- Malcom Dunn & special thanks to our sponsors: Domino’s Pizza - O’Grady School Pacific Western Brewery Myatovic Construction - BX Pub ATTENTION HOCKEY PLAYERS The Prince George Gentlemen's Hockey League requires players to fill team rosters for the 91-92 season. Players must be 25 years of age to play in this non-contact league. Games nights are Wednesdays and Sundays from October 2,1991 to March 30,1992, at the Elksentre. Registration Fee is * Register at Executive Business Centre, #200 -1527 - 3rd Avenue Northland Sportd SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 At Northland Sports Parking Lot The ‘FUN & GAMES’ goes from12 - 4 p.m. COME HAVE FUN & LEARN SOME NEW G-R-U-N-T-S NORTH NECHAKO KARATE CLUB IN SEARCH OF EXCELLENCE The North Nechako Karate Club is a non-profit organization belonging to both Karate British Columbia and the National Karate Association. The club is entering its ninth year and has a wide range of students. Each has their own reasons for committing themselves to the discipline and each have found more than they had anticipated. If Karate is something that you've always wanted to do, take up the challenge now and drop in for a free class and do more than just get fit - learn a new skill. For more info and to join: Registration Week - September 16th - 20th For more information call: Duayne Thompson, 964-4747 or Ken Corrigan, 561-1432 A panel of EXPERT JUDGES will be awarding some great TROPHIES and PRIZES In various (categories FIND YOUR C-A-L-L-I-N-G! Fill out and return this entry form quickly I Name:__________________________ Address:_______________________ Phone: _____ Post Code: Enties can go to: C101 at 1220-6th Ave., Prince George or Northland Sports at 8087 Hart Highway V2K3B8 DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES IS SEPT. 21,1991