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Highlands Today

Devils Still Searching For An Identity

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Avon Park quarterback Albert Moses 17 brings his team to the line last week against Frostproof.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: October 10, 2008

AVON PARK - Four weeks into the season and Avon Park head coach Andy Bonjokian is still searching for his football team's identity.

Are they a running team?

Are they a passing team?

Every week brings a new defense and new challenges that have hindered the first-year coach in chipping away at his team's outer shell and reveal the true football players underneath.

"It's taken us a while to get comfortable and establish a consistent game plan," Bonjokian said. "But with the influx of personnel due to injuries, it's been hard to get any sort of consistency on either side of the ball."

The Red Devils face another test tonight when they travel to play Braden River in a Class 3A-District 12 match-up that could give Bonjokian a good gauge of his team's place in the district.

This marks the first appearance of the Red Devils in Pirates Stadium since the third-year program joined the district last season.

Lake Placid found out how dangerous the Braden River Pirates can be at home last week when they were shut out 42-0 behind the dual attack of senior receiver Willie McNeal and tailback Jajuan Bell, who both dismantled the Green Dragon defense in the first half.

McNeal caught four passes for 205 yards and three touchdowns all in the first half, while Bell rumbled over the Green Dragons for 232 yards on 22 carries for an offense that amassed 505 total yards.

The Pirate defense was even more destructive, as the Green Dragons were held to just 64 yards of total offense and had little chance to get into a rhythm with the constant pass rush by Braden River.

"I had a chance to watch tape on Braden River, and they are extremely aggressive on defense," Bonjokian said. "They're very consistent and have a real smart quarterback (Steven Fischer) that can pick you apart with the play action pass.

"Bell is a real tough tailback that can bust through the middle of your defense or turn the corner on the outside for a huge gain. Those kinds of running backs are always a tough match-up."

Avon Park has matched up against some of the best running backs in the state over the past few weeks and has the linebackers to pose a stiff run defense, led by senior James Bland.

The Red Devil defense played a solid game against Frostproof last week and held the Bulldogs in check for nearly the entire first half until a last-minute touchdown pass put the visitors up 13-0 at the half and shifted the momentum out of Avon Park's hands.

"Our defense played their guts out and I couldn't be happier with the way they've been playing," Bonjokian said. "We just have to get our offense in a rhythm so we can stay on the field longer and quit giving the ball back so quickly.

"It drives me crazy to see us going three-and-out over and over again. We're better than that, and we need step up as an offense and show everyone that we can play with anyone."

Avon Park tailback Teddy Allen has been a consistent threat on offense for the Red Devils, rushing for 312 yards and two touchdowns this season, including 120 against a solid Okeechobee defense.

"Teddy is a hell of an offensive weapon that can hurt you in so many ways," Bonjokian said. "We've been trying to consistently establish our running game but we've also been taking what the opposing defenses have been giving us.

"Against Hardee, they had such a great run defense that we had to come out throwing and utilize our passing attack more. Teddy is so versatile that we can use him in so many different packages, but we're also trying to use him the right way to help us win."

With Allen leading the ground attack, senior quarterback Albert Moses is trying hard to establish the aerial attack that showed promise on the first drive against Hardee, which culminated in a beautiful 10-yard strike to Derrick McKenzie.

But the passing attack was stymied by the Bulldog defense that held Moses to 1 for 6 for (-5) yards and Bonjokian searching for answers.

"We're just trying to get kids comfortable playing and adjusting to the opposition every week," Bonjokian said. "What we'd really like to do is start strong and work with a lead and make an opposing team adjust to us for a change."

Red Devils vs. Pirates

at Braden River High School

TONIGHT at 7:30

COST $5

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5827 or at choffman@highlandstoday.com.

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