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Avon Park Puts Win Aside, Focuses On Bartow

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Avon Park linebacker Dwayne Council wraps up LaBelle quarterback Taylor Jordan for a sack during the third quarter of Friday's game.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: October 24, 2008

AVON PARK - The Avon Park football team's practices this week carried a different feel, as the Red Devils walked around with the confidence that can only come from a victory.

"It felt really good to come to practice on Monday after having won," said Red Devil junior linebacker Dwayne Council Jr. "The mood and attitude this week in practice has been one of hard work, but also confidence in knowing that we're not the door mats that some people think we are."

First-year head coach Andy Bonjokian walked the team through its normal progression of drills, showing signs that winning agrees with him, even while he defers credit all to his team.

"This is all about the kids because they're the ones that have put in all the hard work day in and day out no matter if we've won or lost," Bonjokian said. "I can tell you that it hasn't been easy opening the season with five straight losses, but these kids could hold their heads high when they walked the halls at school this week."

The Red Devils notched their first victory under Bonjokian with a 40-0 drubbing of LaBelle last week, an win that gave Avon Park a much-needed shot of confidence as they head into tonight's homecoming game against Bartow.
Avon Park (1-5) will look to avenge last season's 36-0 loss to Bartow (3-4) and pick up the Red Devils' first victory against the Yellow Jackets since 1957. Bartow leads the all-time series 9-1.

The identity Bonjokian and his staff had been searching for from the Red Devils has surfaced over the past two games, as the power running attack of Teddy Allen and Virgil Cooper has opened up the playbook.

"Teddy and Virgil are definitely a huge part of why we're headed in the right direction," Bonjokian said. "It's so much easier when you can run the ball effectively and keep the opposing offense off the field.

"I'm especially proud of Virgil, who not only has stepped up his game lately, but has changed his style of running to compliment Teddy's to give us that one-two punch."

Cooper rushed for 74 yards on five carries and two touchdowns, while Allen had 50 yards on 13 carries and a score last week. Those yards complimented senior quarterback Albert Moses' contribution to the ground attack (five carries for 68 yards and a TD) which kept the Cowboys guessing and wondering who to defend.

The improved running game also opened up the passing attack for Moses, who threw for a season-high 161 yards on 10-of-11 passing and a pair of touchdowns to sophomore receiver Alonzo Robertson.

The 6-foot-3 Robertson out-jumped his Cowboy defenders on numerous times for huge gains, including the second TD catch he made in double coverage.

"Alonzo was slowed by injury early in the season, but I think he's just hitting his stride now and you're going to see even more improvement through the rest of the season," Bonjokian said. "He and Albert are on the same page and will be a major weapon for us.

"But it all starts with the running game, and that's something we can't stray from."

The smiles present on Friday were fading into a work-like demeanor that Moses says started on Monday.

"We've had to put this win behind us just like we have to put the losses," said the AP quarterback. "We can't be happy with just one win, and we're working to keep this train rolling."

Another obstacle that rears its head every year and tests the football team is homecoming week, which can wreak havoc on coaches trying to keep the focus of their players on football.

"It's a two-headed monster I guess you can say about homecoming," Bonjokian said. "It's great for the community to honor its alumni and rally around the team, but all the festivities leading up to the game are a definite distraction and keeps us on our toes as coaches to make sure the players concentrate on the task at hand, which is winning the football game."

Winning won't be such an easy task, as Bartow comes into town off a 30-0 loss to undefeated Fort Meade and will no doubt look to redeem itself after the shutout loss.

Bartow's defense played well in holding Fort Meade to just 127 yards of total offense - well below their 339 yards per game season average - but the Miners held the Jackets to just 94 yards on 49 plays.

Turnovers were a huge factor in the Bartow (3-4) loss last week.

With the ball on the Miner's 8-yard line, Yellow Jacket quarterback Christian Clay fumbled after taking a huge hit and Fort Meade's Ronald Jones scooped up the ball and raced for an 84-yard score for a 23-0 lead.

Bartow was only able to complete 3 of 12 passes for seven yards and the running game tallied just 84 yards on 37 carries against the blitzing Miner defense.

Bonjokian will take some cues from Fort Meade's performance, but understands that Bartow is coming into Joe Franza Stadium to prove a point.

"Bartow wants to shake themselves of that loss and wants to do it on our home field," said the AP coach. "Our guys need to stand up to their initial charge and respond with an attack of our own.

"It's not going to be easy. Bartow is loaded with good athletes on both sides of the ball. Their pass rush is fast and our running game has to be effective if we're going to be successful moving the ball down the field."
Red Devils vs. Yellow Jackets
at Joe Franza Stadium

TONIGHT at 7:30

COST $5

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

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