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Highlands Today

Devils Face Tough Test In Season Finale

Brian Gjurgevich, Highlands Today

Avon Park sophomore Alonzo Robertson goes airborne for a pass during last week's game against Sebring. The Red Devils hope to snag momentum heading into the offseason in tonight's game against Palmetto.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: November 14, 2008

AVON PARK - "Play smarter," was all Avon Park head coach Andy Bonjokian could say after evaluating his Red Devil football team over the last two games.

"Who knows where things would stand if we could've eliminated the 15 turnovers we committed over the last two games," Bonjokian said. "As a team, we're headed in the right direction, but the turnovers are what can make or break a season."

The Red Devils have fumbled the ball 10 times and thrown five interceptions over the last two games, including a fumble inside the red zone in the final minutes last week against archrival Sebring, which sealed a 14-13 win for the Blue Streaks.

"That was unlike any football game we played all year," Bonjokian said. "The atmosphere in that game against Sebring was something more than just a football game.

"It is exactly as I remembered it as a player."

Avon Park led for most of the second half, but a pair of interceptions and the fumble opened the door for Sebring to steal a win - their third straight in the series - at Joe Franza Stadium.

Adding to the disappointment of the loss was an injury to AP senior tailback Virgil Cooper, who took a hard tackle that forced the last fumble and ended his playing days on the football field in a Red Devil uniform.

"Virgil is one tough kid and I don't think anyone can say anything different," Bonjokian said. "It's a shame that it was his last game. There are two games you always remember from a season: Your final game and Sebring. "

The final game tonight could wind up being Avon Park's toughest of the season, as they take the field against the Class 3A-District 11 champion Palmetto Tigers.

The Tigers come into Franza with a 7-2 record seven wins in their last eight games, including a district clinching 20-7 win over rival Booker.

The win over the Tornadoes was the Palmetto senior's first win over their arch-rival after falling twice to the Tornadoes last season. They'll know host District 12 runner-up Braden River next week in the first round of the playoffs.

Bonjokian has seen film on the Tigers and understands how good a football team his Red Devils are up against.

"Palmetto just doesn't seem to have any weaknesses," Bonjokian said. "They are strong on both sides of the ball and quick. They're defense is the toughest we'll face all season."

The Tiger defense stopped the Tornadoes on a pair of goal-line stands to preserve the win and Bonjokian says that his offense will have to play mistake-free football if they're going to have a chance to shock the district champions.

"We're going to put our best 11 guys on the field and see what happens," Bonjokian said. "I want to give our guys the best chance to win this football game and a chance to give the seniors a great going away party.

"We've got a great opportunity this week to play football one last time this season. I'm excited for the kids to be able to go out and play against one of the top teams in the state and have a chance to shock them if we can play smart and believe in ourselves.

"I believe in them."

Red Devils vs. Tigers

at Joe Franza Stadium

TONIGHT at 7:30

COST $5

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