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Highlands Today

Red Devils Ready To Show Their True Colors

Kathy Waters/Highlands Today

Avon Park's Guy Bower and Avierre Conner celebrate after they scored their first touchdown Friday night.

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By BRIAN GJURGEVICH

Highlands Today

Published: September 5, 2008

AVON PARK - It's one game into the season and the Avon Park football team is feeling anxious.

Not about its 46-6 loss last week to Lake Wales, where the Red Devils had a tough time establishing an offensive rhythm against a loaded Highlanders squad. And not because they're hitting the road for the first time this season against a Ridge Community squad that thumped the Red Devils 41-0 last season.

No, instead, AP is looking forward to this week's match with Ridge Community School with anxious anticipation, and the Devils are excited about the possibilities of showing their true colors.

"Last week's score wasn't the greatest," said Avon Park coach Andy Bonjokian on Thursday. "But we had some definite positives: We were legitimately in the ballgame going into halftime, and guys are anxious to see what else we can do once we correct some things."

Those include getting a push from the offensive line to aide a three-pronged running attack, as well as staying within their assignments on defense. Senior Virgil Cooper, senior Chaz Jones and sophomore Charlie Brown will handle most of the carries, with Brown filling in for normal starting fullback Buddy Duke so Duke can focus on playing at defensive end.

"We're not world-beaters, yet," Bonjokian said. "They really have a sound football team and we're looking forward to the challenge."

Sophomore Avierre Conner will again get the nod at quarterback, with senior Albert Moses still sidelined with an injury.

"Avierre did a great job in the test he was in against Lake Wales," Bonjokian said. "Most seniors would be intimidated by some of the guys across the ball, but he stuck it out."

Bonjokian said he'd rather have Moses for the home stretch rather than bringing him back too early, and Conner has shown he can handle himself in the backfield.

"We're following doctor's orders with Albert," Bonjokian said, noting that senior Chris Morales may get a few snaps in the game. "We're letting him heal and he continues to contribute at practice, which has been great to see - I hope he gets into coaching some day."

Bonjokian said he wants to see Conner follow through with plays, whether they be play-action or basic formations.

"Conner needs to continue working on being consistent and doing the same things every time," Bonjokian said. "He's done a good job, and he's coming around."

On the defensive front, Bonjokian said seniors Vince Perry, Stephan Hinson and Rashad Young made standout plays against the stiff competition Lake Wales brought last week, and they will be tested again against Ridge tailback Mike James, who's committed to Miami and is one of the top offensive threats in Polk County.

"We need to play assignment football and be mindful of everything they do," Bonjokian said. "The kids are working really hard, and we're enthusiastic. And that's all I can ask them for."

Red Devils vs. Bolts

at Ridge Community High School, Davenport

TONIGHT at 7:30

COST $5

Brian Gjurgevich can be reached at 863-386-5841 or bgjurgevich@highlandstoday.com.

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