Red Devils Travel To Take On DeSoto

AVON PARK - "It's a one-game series"
Those words from head coach Earnest Perkins have become the rallying cry for the Avon Park Red Devils, as they ready themselves for the biggest game of the season - a showdown tonight against Class 3A-District 12 leader DeSoto Bulldogs.

"At this point last season, we were 6-1, and now we're on the opposite end of that spectrum," the second-year AP head coach said. "But these kids are not practicing like a six-loss team. They know it all comes down to this."

With a win over Hardee in week three, the Red Devils are 1-1 in the district and a win over DeSoto, which is 2-0 in the district, would push Avon Park into a tie with the Bulldogs.
The chances aren't as slight as they seem for Avon Park.

Last season, the Red Devils used a stifling defense to negate DeSoto's speed to beat the Bulldogs 14-6 at home. That was last year, however, and Avon Park is in an obvious rebuilding mode, while DeSoto has streamed through the competition this season, outscoring their opponents 194-75.

"We need to come out and play assignment football," Perkins said. "If we execute our assignments, that should negate [DeSoto's] speed and keep their runners from getting into the secondary."

Sebring had no luck in containing the Shine brothers (quarterback Shay and receiver Darion) last week, who had their way with the Blue-Streak defense. Shay Shine threw for a touchdown and rushed for 88 yards and a score, while brother Darion scored two touchdowns in the homecoming win.

The key for Avon Park to have any shot at winning tonight will be to corralling Shay Shine and keeping him from using the sweep to turn the corner and get into the secondary.

"We have to hit him at the line of scrimmage and keep him in front of us," Perkins said.

Tonight will mark the first time all season that the Red Devils will be fielding a healthy team. Coming back to the lineup will be starting tailback Teddy Allen, who has been battling a high-ankle sprain all season and kicker Casey McKibben, hasn't played in three weeks with a back injury.

With Allen and Alvin Hinson in the backfield, Avon Park could have the perfect equalizer to DeSoto's high powered offense - a good clock-killing running attack.

"They can't beat us if they're not on the field," Perkins said.
"We have to limit their possessions, and to do that, we have to be able to run the ball."

Avon Park vs. DeSoto
WHEN: Tonight at 7:30
WHERE: Bulldog Stadium
COST: $5

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