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Red Devils Look For Offensive Help

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Avon Park’s Virgil Cooper (3) is wrapped up by a swarm of Frostproof defenders during last Friday’s game.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: October 5, 2007

AVON PARK — The sting of a loss is as fleeting as life itself. One can only dwell on a loss for so long in the game of football before you push that aside and get ready for another foe.

But the Avon Park football squad has felt the agony of defeat far too much in this young season and Red Devil head coach Earnest Perkins is searching for answers to the offensive woes his team has been facing.

"The bottom line is that we have only one veteran (Chris Bowers) on the offensive line," AP skipper said. "The rest of the line and the wide receivers were all junior varsity players last season.
"People have to realize that we are a young team and we are going through the growing pains any young team goes through."

Avon Park will look to rebound from last week's 35-0 defeat to Frostproof, when it hosts Class 3A-District 12 rival Braden River tonight at Joe Franza Stadium — the centerpiece of the Red Devils homecoming festivities.
The youthful team had many weaknesses exposed in last week's loss, the main being the run defense that gave up 219 yards to the Bulldogs Carlton Thomas. Couple that with an inexperienced offensive crew and a recipe for a roller coaster season is perfected.

"We are throwing everything but the kitchen sink in on offense," Perkins said. "There are plenty of ups and downs, but we're enjoying every minute of it."
Many naysayers have been outspoken against Perkins and his staff for not putting the players in a position to win, but many forget that the Red Devils are undefeated in district play this season. A win tonight against Braden River would put Avon Park in the driver's seat and on a fast track to a playoff berth.

But first, the Red Devils have to take care of business.
"The one thing that we are not doing is taking Braden River for granted," Perkins said. "We are taking no chances. They are a young team just like we are and we need to take care of business at home."
Taking care of business will be much more difficult after the loss of tailbacks Teddy Allen and Alvin Hinson — which constitutes the starting backfield for the Red Devils. Both players are day-to-day.

Perkins and his staff have adjusted to the setback and are coming with a much smaller running attack, moving Albert Moses from wide receiver to tailback and elevating junior Chaz Jones to starter. Those moves should bolster a much faster running game, especially with quarterback Virgil Cooper operating more from the shotgun to allow for more option plays against the Pirates.

Braden River is in the middle of its first full season of football, and has been impressive with a 2-3 record, including a 38-14 win against Lake Placid last week.
The Pirates run a pro-type "I-set" on offense and have a balanced attack of run and pass, while using the 4-4 defense to force turnovers — including six turnovers against the Green Dragons.

With the homecoming crowd filling the stands, the pressure on Perkins and the Red Devils to deliver a victory can be overwhelming, but they are all taking it in stride.
"This team plays for 48 minutes every game," the third-year head coach said. "We never quit, win, lose or draw. You can't ask for more than that from a team."

Avon Park High School Football Photo Gallery

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