JACKSONVILLE RED DEVILS: Not looking back

Red Devils hoping to continue upward climb

Antoine Mosby leaps through the ropes during practice as teammates line up to follow.
Antoine Mosby leaps through the ropes during practice as teammates line up to follow.

— The Jacksonville Red Devils rebounded from an abysmal 2007 season that saw them win just three games to a 6-6 record and a trip to the playoffs last year.

While the defense returns many of its starters, the offense is a little thin on experience with just four returning starters.

One of the positions on offense that has a familiar face is the quarterback position. Last year Logan Perry passed for 2,000yards as a sophomore. In his junior season, head coach Mark Whatley is expecting even more out of him.

"He's very intelligent, and heunderstands the scheme," Whatley said. "He had a good year last year, and we'll let him run more this season." He will be backed up by junior Michael Lamb.

The backfield is a bit of an unknown for Whatley.

"We have several kids with ability," the coach said. "We're just unproven at the skill positions." In the backfield, the Red Devils will have many different players to choose from including juniors Antwain Mosby and John Johnson and sophomore Gary Harrison. Senior fullback Doug Sprouse gives Jacksonville an added threat in the running game.

Senior Devon Featherston is the only returning starter in the receiving corps, and the Red Devils will depend on his experience, sturdy hands and speed to lead the group. Joining Featherston in the air attack will be junior Tyler Crook, who playedon the junior varsity team last year, senior DeShone McClure, sophomore DeVon McClure, senior Price Eubanks and Tony Privitora, who started a game against West Memphis last year.

Jacob Hicks returns to his starting center position this year, while last year's starting tackle Caleb Mitchell will be moved to guard this season. Junior right tackle Aaron Shore, who started the first three games last year before he was lost to injury, also returns. Others on the line include Daniel Besancun and Rakiem James at left tackle and Dominique Wyatt and Rashad Morrow at left tackle.

"We're trying hard to have them go one way," Whatley said.

"But Devon [Featherston] will play in the secondary."

Derek Moore, the team's new defensive coordinator, will have the benefit of seven returning starters on defense, but he is still "in the middle of getting the wrinkles out," Whatley said.

The defensive line will look to tackle Christian Anderson and end Nick Nowden to put pressure on the quarterback this season.

Don Crutchfield returns to his starting position at linebacker and will be joined by Caleb Mitchell and Joey Gates.

The only name sticking out for Jacksonville in the secondary has been Featherston. The rest will pan out as Moore gets more familiar with the team.

When it comes to the 6A-East Conference race, Whatley expects the same names to gravitate toward the top, such as West Memphis and Jonesboro, but hopes Jacksonville "will be in the thick of it."

"It all depends on the chemistry we have," Whatley said.

BREAKING DOWN THE RED DEVILS

6-6 2008 record4 returning offense starters

20.8 points per game

7 returning defense starters

25.7 points given up

JACKSONVILLE RED DEVILS

Sept. 1 .................... at Cabot

Sept. 11 .....................Vilonia

Sept. 18 ........................ Mills

Sept. 25 ..at Mountain Home*

Oct. 2 ............. at Jonesboro*

Oct. 9 ......................LR Hall*

Oct. 16 ................ at Searcy*

Oct. 23 .............LR Parkview*

Oct. 30 .... at West Memphis*

Nov. 6 .................... Marion*

Special, Pages 176, 177 on 08/23/2009

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