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Red Devils Say Youth Isn't an Excuse in '09
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Courtesy: TheLedger.com By BRANDT MERRITT | The Ledger After five consecutive district championships, the Kathleen Red Devils battled to a 5-5 finish in 2008 with a roster filled with youth and inexperience. Head coach Irving Strickland has a simple message for his players heading into this season. "This year's going to be even tougher," he said. "Because now there's no excuses that you're young." Last season, the Red Devils returned only two starters on the entire roster, both on defense. Growing pains were to be expected. This season, they have 12 returning starters, six each on offense and defense. Strickland said it took a while for this group of players to learn what it takes to win. "This group here, a lot of them were on JV (two years ago)," he said. "A lot of them didn't know what type of battles they'd be going through." Although Kathleen only managed a .500 record last season, it was only a couple of plays from another playoff run. The Red Devils lost to district champion Ridge Community and runner-up Lake Wales by a point each, 14-13 to Ridge and 13-12 to Lake Wales. They came that close to a district title while averaging a county-low 25 yards per game rushing. As frustrating as last season was, Strickland is confident his team is ready to rebound. Leading the way on offense will be junior quarterback Isaac O'Neal, who threw for more than 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns last season despite missing time with an injury and splitting time with Terrick Colston. Strickland said O'Neal, who gained 18 pounds in the offseason and is now bench-pressing 300 pounds, will be the starter this season and will have more freedom to make plays. He'll have plenty of playmakers to throw to, as the team's top three receivers return - seniors Marcus Cunningham and Brayun Andrews, and junior Jacques Mackeroy. "We should be more explosive this year because we're more experienced," Andrews said. The offensive line continues to improve, as well. Strickland said that none of his linemen was benching more than 225 pounds in 2008, but that's not the case anymore. They'll lead the way for running backs Terry Bentley and Javier Maturin. Chad Abrams, who has committed to Florida State, anchors the defense at safety along with a talented linebacking corps of Gionni Paul, Andrew Jackson and Colston. Malcolm Andrews is the only returning starter on the defensive line. "Our team looks better than last year," said Abrams, who broke his right ring finger at a 7-on-7 camp over the summer but should be ready for the season. Strickland said Kathleen will need to show improvement to compete in its new Class 4A district, which now includes Lake Gibson and Lake Region. But kicker Javier Rodea said the team's goal is simple. "Everybody expects us to win and get back on a district winning streak," he said.
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