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AP Youth Football dominates

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Avon Park's Jabari Knighten breaks loose for a big gain during last Saturday's Flag game against Sebring.

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Special to Highlands Today

Published: October 29, 2009

AVON PARK - The Avon Park Youth Football teams went a combined 38-2 during the regular season and capped off an outstanding season with four teams winning district titles.

The Avon Park players, cheerleaders, coaches and fans had plenty to smile about as they were victorious in all four games against their tough rival, the Sebring Blue Streaks, last Saturday.

The most anticipated game of the day proved to be the most exciting, with the Red Devils Juniors (8-2) vs. the Blue Streaks (7-3).

The game was not only for pride between two rival communities, not just for revenge from an earlier matchup in which Sebring was victorious 20-15, but for all the marbles - the district championship.

Avon Park jumped out to an early advantage, but the Blue Streaks stormed back to take the lead early in the first half. As the game progressed, the much-improved Red Devils Juniors began to show why they are a threat to anyone who faces them in the playoffs, pulling away from Sebring and winning convincingly with a final score of 31-14.

Speed was the formula to beat a very big and physical Sebring team. Avon Park, led by quarterback Hifiece Phillips, who scored three touchdowns, sped away from the Blue Streaks with help from Joseph Nance and Norris Gordon, who each scored once. The fans for both teams were hyped, energetic and cheering enthusiastically for their teams. In the end, those same fans were saying 'See you next weekend' for the rematch to be held in Frostproof in the first round of the MFFCC playoffs.

The undefeated Red Devils Pee Wees once again had a dominating performance as they tuned up for their playoff run with a victory over the rival Blue Streaks. Adarius Council showed his versatility, pacing the Red Devils offensive machine by throwing, receiving and rushing for two touchdowns. He was not alone, however, as Montrae Braswell caught a touchdown from Warren Buckner and Deonta Kerney was on the receiving end of Council's pass. The defense held up their end, too, giving a devil-like effort and forcing a shutout as Big Red went on to win, 34-0.

The mighty machine kept rolling as well, as the AP Mighty Mites pulled away from Sebring to win 34-21. Touchdowns by Javarious Smith (three), Andre Blake and Nacarius Williams helped keep the AP Mighty Mites undefeated and finish the regular season at 10-0. Sebring fought tough early, but a strong AP Mighty Mite offensive line began to take over, opening up gaping holes for the running backs.

The tone was set early Saturday morning in the first game played. The Avon Park Flag team looked very impressive and finished off its regular season undefeated (10-0) with a 33-6 victory over a much-improved Sebring Blue Streak flag team. Five touchdowns from five different players (Derrick Cobb, Otis Ford, Jabari Knighten, Garrick Rowe and Kevin Young) showed the versatility of the Red Devils flag team, which heads into the playoffs as one of the top teams to beat.

The AP Youth Football teams will all compete in Frostproof this Saturday in the first round of the MFFCC playoffs. The flag team will play against Lake Wales at 9 a.m., followed by the Mighty Mites' game at 10:30 a.m.

The Highlands Today sports staff can be reached at 863-386-5837 or sports@highlandstoday.com

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