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Red Devils Ready To Rush

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Avon Park's Virgil Cooper pursues Braden River receiver Sharrod Neasman during last Friday's district showdown.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: October 17, 2008

AVON PARK - The resolve of the Avon Park football team has been tested this season.

But any dismay has given way to determination as Red Devil head coach Andy Bonjokian has steered his team away from what could've been in last week's game against Class 3A-District 12 foe Braden River into what will be tonight against LaBelle.

The origin of that dismal feeling was one series early in the second quarter against the Pirates, a series that's summed up the Red Devils season thus far.

Down 6-0, Avon Park rode the freight train of running backs Teddy Allen and Virgil Cooper, who marched the Red Devils down the field 68 yards for a first-and-goal at the Pirates 5-yard line.

A quarterback keeper by Albert Moses put Avon Park one yard closer to the end zone and a chance to take the lead, but the Pirates goal line defense held firm and Moses was dropped for a loss on fourth down.

With one fell swoop, Braden River broke the visitor's will dashed their hopes for their first win of the season.

That one series encapsulated the season for the Red Devils, as the players were awash in frustration and sadness in a 16-6 loss - a game they knew they could've won.

"That one series came down to play-calling, and for that, I'm taking all the blame for that, not the kids," Bonjokian said. "We were sitting on the doorstep and for us not to get in was a game-changer. When you get down that close, you're expected to score and we need to take advantage of every scoring opportunity that comes our way, because they're very few in our district.

"That made for a long bus ride home, but I tip my hat to my kids and the coaching staff for coming back on Monday ready to work and find a way to win. The best way to deal with the frustration of a loss is to take it out on next week's opponent."

The silver lining to come out of the loss was the emergence of the running duo of Allen and Cooper and the maturation of the offensive line for the Red Devils.

Cooper finished with 94 yards and Allen had 95 yards in a breakthrough game for the running game that looked one dimensional in recent weeks, as Allen garnered the majority of the carries.

But it was Cooper who showed that he still has the talent to be a featured back in this district, as the AP senior adjusted his game and hit the holes created by his offensive line with authority and used his cut back moves to gain the precious extra yardage.

"Virgil has never stopped working, even though his production in the games have gone down," Bonjokian said. "We made him realize that he is a 'north and south' runner and needs to hit the holes and make the first defenders miss then take it up field.

"But the offensive line, which has been decimated by injuries all season, really sustained their blocks and opened up the running lanes so we could effectively establish our ground attack. It all came down to a question of health and we're finally getting key guys back that will help us the rest of the season."

Allen and Cooper have an opportunity to run wild against a LaBelle defense that gave up 442 yards on the ground to DeSoto two weeks ago, when five different running backs reached the end zone in a 56-7 loss.

The winless Cowboys have looked sluggish on offense and have been outscored 161-27, including last week's 14-0 loss to Lemon Bay and losses to Class 2A Bishop Verot (33-0) and Class 2B Cardinal Mooney (35-14).

DeSoto average over 11 yards per carry against LaBelle, which could give Avon Park's running backs the green light.

But Bonjokian knows not to underestimate a team like LaBelle in front of their home fans.

"We're both in the same situation," Bonjokian said. "We're both hungry for our first win and we have to come out with the same intensity as we did against Braden River. I feel that we need to set the tone for the game and hopefully score early and make them adjust to our game.

"But we're not overlooking a team like LaBelle. They're a scrappy team like we are and they're going to give us everything they have and we have to be strong as a team and give as good as we get."

Red Devils vs. Cowboys

at LaBelle High School

TONIGHT at 7:30 p.m.

COST $5

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

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