Red Devils Getting Back On Track
Photo By John
Ray
by Mike Wachsman
Posted 10-10-09
The difference between a championship team and an also-ran is the way it
handles adversity.
After losing late, at home, to Walnut Ridge Sept. 25, Marion-Franklin could
have started feeling sorry for itself, pointed fingers and cashed in their
chips for the season. But the Red Devils have been too successful for too
long to go that route, so instead they decided to take matters into their
own hands and do what every contender does -- finish strong.
"I think they were pretty down after that loss to Ridge," Marion-Franklin
coach Brian Haffele said. "There were chances to win the game, but there
were also a ton of penalties and some sloppy plays, too. That's out of
character for our team, especially on defense. This is a team that has a lot
of hungry kids, and they play with emotion and pride. I kind of felt that
they were going to really get after it and try to redeem themselves after
that game, and that's what they've done."
The Red Devils were the tornado and the West Cowboys the barn in a 48-7
Marion-Franklin victory Oct. 10. Marion-Franklin took a 7-0 lead on the
first play of the game when Chad Jones ran 80 yards through left guard for a
touchdown, one of three on the night for Jones. He finished with 187 yards
on just five carries.
Marion-Franklin also got after things defensively, limiting West's high
octane spread offense to just one touchdown and only 43 yards after
halftime. West had 221 yards passing but was picked off three times.
The muddy, rainy conditions on this particular night seemed to suit the Red
Devils just fine.
"This doesn't bother them at all," Haffele said. "I think they like it. We
have some big play guys, but a lot of them are grinders who love to get
after it. They aren't afraid of hard work and getting dirty, so I think
tonight was perfect for a lot of them."
Marion-Franklin has a few stars -- quarterback Verlon Reed is a dual
threat, able to pass as well as get out of trouble with his feet. Jones has
a quck burst in the backfield and can take any carry to the end zone and
running mate Amir Robinson would start for a lot of other teams. But more
than star power, the Red Devils are a collection of players who mesh.
Haffele said that whille his team is gifted athletically, it's also a group
that pays attention to detail.
"We have a lot of guys who made the decision after the Ridge game that they
weren't going to let something like that happen again," he said. "We've lost
twice this year late in the game, and both were on our home field. That
really eats at them because they have a ton of pride in playing for their
school and the fans who show up at our place. A few guys stepped up and held
themselves accountable and told everyone else that they had to do the same
or we'd have more nights like that one. That was good to see, and so far the
results have been great."
The true litmus test, however, comes Oct. 16 when Marion-Franklin hosts
Eastmoor Academy, which is currently unbeaten in City South play. In what
boils down to a division championship game, the Red Devils know that they
will need to continue along the path they set a few short weeks ago.
"Eastmoor is a very good team, and we'll definitely have to play our best
to win the game," Haffele said. "This is the shot right here. It's basically
the league title to the winner, and after what these guys have been through
in close games this season I would be very surprised if they don't come out
and play well. I've seen a lot of extra effort in practice, with guys trying
to get everything just right at this time of the season. Everything that's
happened up to now isn't important ... this next game is. We pride ourselves
on being champions, and Eastmoor does, too. Whoever handles the pressure and
makes the fewest mistakes and hits the most big plays will come out on top."
The game was West's homecoming, and it was complete with a Hall of Fame
induction ceremony and the announcement of the Homecoming King and Queen.
Senior Sania Edley, a member of the West volleyball team, was chosen as the
Queen while Jacob Ferrero won the honor of King.