LITTLE ROCK — With nine returning start ers on offense and nine returning starters on de fense, the Mountain Pine Red Devils possess the ex perience to return to the 2A playoffs. And if they succeed in securing a playoff slot, the 2009 team hopes to avoid the one-and-done playoff trips that have plagued the two previous teams, including a 32-13 loss to Murfreesboro in 2008 as the Red Devils finished 9-2.
One obstacle to the 2009 Red Devils return
ing to the playoffs is conference rival Bigelow,
which defeated Mountain Pine 48-16 in 2008.
The Red Devils return a core of skill play
ers on offense who will spark the team's two
and three-back attack with play-action passing
mixed in to keep opposing defenses honest.
Senior quarterback Ryan Herron (6-0, 160), a three-year starter, has offensive weapons to choose from in senior halfback DeAndre Jenkins (6-0, 185), junior split end Brandon Heller (5-9, 160) and senior wingback Brannon Wiles (6-2, 175).
Up front, the Red Devils will depend on experienced offensive linemen to create holes and protect Herron, including senior center and three-year starter Chris Rice (5-11, 240), senior right tackle and returning starter Chris Hillison (5-11, 260), and senior guards Johnny Snow (5-9, 170) and Evan Harper (5-9, 170) along with junior guard Brent Moffatt (5-9, 179).
One area of concern on offense is replacing all-state fullback Corey Hopper.
With only 22 players on the roster, including nine seniors, 11th-year coach Jody Frazier will depend on his offensive starters to double on defense, including Jenkins and senior Levi Ellison (5-9, 160) at cornerback, and Heller and Herron at safety. The linebackers are Snow
Tri-Lakes, Pages 18 on 08/30/2009