October 30, 2008 01:34 pm
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By Jay Neal
sports@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Kilgore head football coach Mike Vallery and 19th century British author Mary Shelley have a common thread.
Shelley was responsible for creating a monster that came to be know as “Frankenstein,” a being in semblance of man, but larger than life and far more powerful.
Vallery will bring his version of a beast, running back Frank Reddic, that can be described in the exact same way to the Tomato Bowl on Friday night when the Bulldogs (6-2, 2-1) come to town for a Halloween night District 14-4A battle with the Fightin’ Indians (2-6, 1-2).
Both squads need a win in this, the next-to-last league affair.
An Indians victory virtually assures them a spot in the post season, while the Bulldogs enter the game in a three-way tie for first with Whitehouse, — a team they beat 34-31 on a 32-yard field goal at the buzzer by Ryan Bustin — and Lindale.
Reddic, a straight-A student, has a firm offer from the United States Air Force Academy on the table, with many others sure to follow.
He turned in a spooky-good performance in last week’s game, rushing 42 times for 322 yards (a school record) and three touchdowns.
Tribe head coach Steve Wells is quick on the draw to point out the first thing Jacksonville must do Friday night to avoid another Nightmare on Austin Street — the Indians were upset 17-14 by Henderson last week at home as the Lions snapped a 12-game losing streak — is to stop Reddic and the his fellow backfield mates.
“For us to have a chance, defensively we have to stop their (Kilgore’s) run and try to get them into some third-and-long situations, and get them away from what they like to do, run the football,” he said.
Reddic and company run behind a freekishly good offensive line, a staple of Bulldog football for a number of years.
The Kilgore 0-line is comprised of Dominique Jones (6-foot-3, 240 pounds and a University of Texas commit), John Swanson, Tyler Waddle, Shadow Stokes, Vince Cano (6-foot-2, 290 pounds) and Colby Rosen.
Wells said he believes the Bulldogs are every bit as good as they are tabbed to be and are a frightning bunch.
“They are very well coached, big up front and probably the most talented team in the district, bar none,” he said.
The ’Dogs have defeated Whitehouse and Henderson this year in loop action, while dropping the conference opener 35-17 to Lindale. Jacksonville concludes the regular season next week at Lindale.
Offensively, the Indians must “mix up the run and pass on first down and try to throw the Kilgore defense off,” according to Wells.
Kyle Stacy and sophomore Ryan Black are both expected to see action at quarterback for the Tribe Friday — Stacy suffered a non-throwing shoulder injury last week and is not 100 percent, according to Wells.
Black, who just recently returned to full strength after an arm injury, came on early in last week’s affair in relief of the banged-up Stacy and received good reviews from the Jacksonville coaching staff.
“For him (Black) to come in six plays into the game after being out five weeks with a broke arm and do as well as he did says a lot about what kind of kid he is,” Wells said. “It is going to be exciting to watch him and to see what he can do for the next two years.”
Running back Zavar Jones drew praise as well, rushing for 123 yards on 13 carries while scoring a touchdown for the Tribe.
“I think Zavar had his best rushing effort of the year last week,” Wells said. “Maybe not in total yards, but in lowering his head and showing toughness out there.”
With the district being such that any team realistically has a chance to knock another off, especially if one squad turns in a sub-par effort, Wells knows anything can happen on any given Friday night and that beliving in one’s self is just as important as execution.
“Our kids have to belive they can play with Kilgore,” he said. “We led Whitehouse for all but the final five minutes of the game and then Kilgore beats Whitehouse on a last-second field goal; that tells me, and it should send a message to our kids, that we can play with them (Kilgore). We are capable; but, we have to have our best effort.”
Jacksonville will have to avoid some of their (bad) tricks — dropped passes, numerous penalties and less than stellar play on special teams — to prevent Kilgore departing the Tomato Bowl with the biggest treat of the night — a distict win.
“We had three dropped passes last week that hurt us; one of those would have been a sure touchdown,” Wells said. “We are (also) still getting bit by the penalty bug, I think we had nine penalties against Henderson.
“Our special teams did not play as well as they are capable of either; Kilgore is good on special teams (Bustin is one of the top kickers in East Texas in both accuracy and distance) and we have to be special on special teams, too.”
NOTES: The following Indians were recognized for their accomplishments in last week’s game; Offensive Player of the Week, Zavar Jones; Defensive Player of the Week, Justin Jones (six unassisted tackles, seven assisted stops and three hits); Outstanding Lineman, Adrian Munoz (graded out at 74 percent); Special Teams, Brody Fitch; and Warrior, Ryan Black ... For the second straight week, Jacksonville will be going up against an opposing head coach that cut his teeth in Northeast Louisiana — Henderson’s Dickie Meeks got his start at Riverfield Academy in Rayville, La., while Kilgore’s Vallery is a product of (Monroe) Ouachita Parish High ... Friday’s game is Senior Night with special ceremonies to be held in honor of the 24 Indians that will be making their final appearance in the Tomato Bowl.
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