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Highlands Today

Devils Cling To Playoff Hopes; Streaks Look To Play Spoiler

Jesse Osbourne/Highlands Today

Sebring sophomore running back Daniel Burnett tries to skirt DeSoto defenders in the first quarter of Sebring’s loss to the Bulldogs.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: November 2, 2007

AVON PARK – Red and blue paint have been in short supply this week in Highlands County, as all eyes fall on tonight's showdown between cross-county foes Sebring and Avon Park.

Many fans have been painting their cars, signs or themselves this week in anticipation of the big game.
The bad blood between Avon Park and Sebring brews all year, with one team looking to keep possession of bragging rights while the other looks for payback.

"The first thing these kids starting talking about after the DeSoto game was about Sebring," said AP head coach Earnest Perkins. "This game is more than just a game to them, and I've bought into it."

With Sebring at 4-4 and Avon Park limping in with a record of 1-7, this game is tailor-made for a good old fashioned wipeout, with the home team hoping to douse the Red Devils at Firemen's Field tonight at 7:30 p.m.

Of course, that's just what it looks like on paper, and Avon Park knows the game will truly be decided between the lines.

"This team has really banded together this season," Perkins said. "These kids are full of energy and are excited about tonight.
"Myself, I have just fallen into the tradition, almost like I have been here for years. It seems natural to me to gear up for this rivalry with my kids."

Sebring coach Jared Hamlin, coaching in his fourth game against Avon Park, agreed.
"It's a rivalry game, so the one thing you know will happen is that anything can happen," Hamlin said, noting that his team didn't need much prodding in order to get ready for the big game. "We look forward to this game all year – we haven't done a whole lot to make it bigger than it already is."

A playoff spot for the Red Devils hangs in the balance, as Avon Park stands tied with Sebring at 1-2 in Class 3A-District 12. If Avon Park wins and Hardee falls to DeSoto, that would put both teams in a tie at 2-2, with the Red Devils earning the playoff berth after beating the Wildcats in the head-to-head match-up 10-7 earlier in the season.

Since Sebring lost to Hardee, the Blue Streaks can only play the part of spoiler.
In recent history, the Red Devils have been on the wrong side of the scoreboard – going 1-4 since 2002 – with their lone victory a 30-20 win in '05.
But that win occurred the last time Avon Park played on Firemen's Field.

"There's one thing that I know about this game," Perkins laughed. "You can throw everything out the window, because this is all about pride. It is going to come down to who wants it more. And I tell you that these kids haven't forgotten about them beating us in our stadium last year.
"That just adds fuel to the fire."

Last season, the Blue Streaks trounced the host Red Devils 37-7, with then-quarterback A.C. Wilson throwing for two touchdowns and running for two more in a rout in front of the Red Devils' home fans.
Hamlin said his team needs to keep an eye on the details if they hope to repeat last season's celebration.

"We need to do the little things right and not beat ourselves," said Hamlin, whose Streaks ran all over Braden River last week for a 23-0 victory. "We need to start how we finished [last week]. The one thing we can't do is start sluggish."

The youthful Avon Park squad hasn't forgotten last year's loss, and has been reminded of it from classmates and friends all week, as many prepare for their first taste of the rivalry.

"It has been so intense for us this week just going to class," said Avon Park's Albert Moses. "The other students have been cheering us and really getting crazy.
"Even though we lost last week, our confidence level couldn't be higher right now. This team doesn't give up and I can't wait to get on the field against Sebring."

The stands at Firemen's Field should be filled with fans of both teams, but most will admit that a bit of the magic has been lost in recent years from one of the state's toughest rivalries.

Football players from time's past have hankered a guess as to why this rivalry doesn't have the same luster it once did.

"What made this rivalry so great was the electricity when you walked into the stadium," AP defensive line coach Dwayne Council said. "Both communities would be involved, and that is all anybody would be talking about.
"It really did bring people together. I would love to see it like that again."

Avon Park High School Football Photo Gallery

Sebring High School Football Photo Gallery

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