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COMPLETE STORY: Pirates Spoil AP's Homecoming

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Avon Park's Virgil Cooper is chased by a mob of Braden River defenders Friday night.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: October 7, 2007

Homecoming is a time for celebration for students, players and alumni, but for the Avon Park Red Devils, it was filled with heartbreak.

In a Class 3A-District 12 match-up, Avon Park had four turnovers, including a pair of fumbles on the goal line, and failed to score for the fourth time in five games, losing 17-0 to the Braden River Pirates at Joe Franza Stadium on Friday night.

"We just look confused out there on offense," said Red Devil offensive guard Fred Mixon. "It is very frustrating to watch us do so well in practice, yet we can't execute on Friday night.

"Things are just not clicking for us."

The loss drops Avon Park to 1-4 overall and 1-1 in the district, while Braden River improves to 3-3 and 1-1 in district play.

The curse that has struck the once powerful Avon Park offense once again was at the forefront of the minds of many on the sideline. The Red Devils have scored one offensive touchdown this season and have fumbled on countless scoring chances.

Down 7-0, frustration and a hint of dissension washed over the Red Devils like the rain that pelted their helmets moments into the fourth quarter. Braden River quarterback Willie McNeal took a play to the weak side that should have dropped him for a loss, instead reversed to the opposite side of the field for a 75-yard touchdown gallop for a 14-0 lead.

"All I can tell you is that we'll work hard," AP skipper Earnest Perkins said. "We have no excuses."
The second-year coach was visibly beside himself, unable to describe what was happening with his team.

Avon Park quarterback Virgil Cooper had the offense running well in the early going. On the second play of the game, Cooper broke free at the line of scrimmage for a 48-yard run to put the Red Devils on the Pirate 11-yard line.

After a 10-yard gain by junior Alvin Hinson, Cooper fumbled at the goal line and Braden River recovered and the first of many scoring chances was squandered by the home team.

Avon Park was deep in Pirate territory on its first two series, yet they got nothing to show for it.
The game stayed scoreless until midway through the second quarter, when Braden River put together a 12-play, 52-yard scoring drive, capped off by Jajuan Bell's dive from the goal line to give the Pirates a 7-0 lead.

Pirate tailback Tim Grider punished the Red Devil line with carry after during the scoring drive, carrying the ball 8 times for 37 yards to set up Bell's touchdown.

McNeal led the Pirates in rushing, tallying 90 yards on five carries, while Grider chipped in with 75 yards.

The tide seemed to be turning early in the third, when junior linebacker Jerry Sullivan recovered a Bell fumble, giving the Red Devils the ball at midfield. Cooper marched Avon Park down the field, orchestrating the offense, gaining 48 yards on his own to get down to the goal line once more.

Braden River's defense tightened up, dropping Cooper for a pair of losses totaling 10 yards and bringing up fourth down, but senior kicker Casey McKibben's 23-yard field goal attempt was short and the offensive woes continued for the Red Devils.

Two more fumbles by Avon Park in Pirate territory had players and coaches alike voicing their disapproval of the level of play displayed in front of a homecoming crowd.

A confused Perkins could only stand by and watch his team unravel when it mattered most. A barrage of good intentions and words of encouragement have not broken through to the youthful Red Devil squad.

"I don't know what to tell you," Perkins said. "That's my comment."

Braden River put an exclamation point on the night when Justin Stanley's 34-yard field goal attempt sailed through the uprights for the margin of victory with two minutes left to play.
As the seconds ticked away, heads were shaking and a wonder what can be done to fix Avon Park football.

"The first thing we need to do is cut down on our mental mistakes," said AP sophomore linebacker Dwayne Council. "I was so frustrated at the end of the game that my emotions took over."

Council wasn't the only player on the Avon Park sideline that was overcome with a bevy of emotions. Many seemed to hide the anger and embarrassment, keeping it for a quiet moment after the game. The Avon Park locker room was a quiet and cold place to be, unlike the commotion and camaraderie in weeks past.

The Red Devils were paced by Cooper, who had 43 yards rushing on 22 carries and passed for 64 yards and an interception on a 6-for-17 night. Avon Park was out-gained 204 to 155 yards in total offense in the loss.

What is next for the Red Devils? One can only venture a guess, but finding the end zone is obviously at the top of the list.

Avon Park will look to break the offensive curse, when they host the Labelle Cowboys in a non-conference match next Friday.

Avon Park High School Football Photo Gallery

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