AUGUSTA RED DEVILS: All kinds of speed

By James Joslin Contributing Writer
August 26, 2010

Red Devils trying to build on track success

THREE RIVERS AREA — In only his second year at the helm of the Augusta Red Devils football team, coach Roosevelt Turner is already well familiar with what football means in this sleepy Woodruff County seat. While farming provides the income for many here, football, fishing and hunting take up their free time. And even though the town is nestled on the banks of the White River, football is definitely at the top of that list in Augusta. “We are trying to keep the tradition going here. I’m just trying to live up to the tradition set by previous Augusta coaches. I’ve got my work cut out for me. We’ve had Curtis King; that’s where the name King Field comes from,” Turner began, then explained that the Arkansas High School Coaches Association has an award named for King that is given annually to the coach who exhibits compassionate, fair and friendly behavior toward his players, peers and others. “We’ve also had Alex Jackson and George Shelton here, so I’m just trying to keep Augusta on the map.” That may not be a problem in 2010, Turner said.

“Our prospects for success look real good. One of the

things we’re trying to build on is that we won the state meet

in 2A track last year,” he said, “so we continue to put the

emphasis on that. The majority of my sprinters from the

track team also play football.” Also a positive for the Red Devils is that the 2010 edi

tion will see seven starters return on each side of the ball.

Among the more heralded returnees will be wide receiver

Randy Spears (5-9, 165), a two-time all-stater in the 400-

meter dash who the coach said would be “pretty tough” on

opponents. Meanwhile, Ishma Clark (5-11, 180) will pace

the backfield efforts after taking all-state honors as a tailback

and track athlete in 2009.

Other key personnel on a roster of about 25 include

quarterback candidates junior Cordell Turner (5-10, 220),

sophomore Jordan Brown (6-2, 160) and senior Jordan

Moore (6-0, 180); and senior Austin Hanna (6-4, 265), se

nior Jake Ford (6-3, 245) and junior Tim Finley (6-4, 265)

in the trenches.

While Turner referred to his skills positions as a defi

nite strength, he emphasized that an area of concern is his

linemen.

“Our weakness right now is on the offensive and de

fensive line, where we have only about half of our players

returning,” the coach said.

As for how Augusta hopes to get by opponents in the 3-

2A - including title contenders McCrory and Cross County

- Turner said the Red Devils will employ a 4-3 scheme on

defense and a multiple-formation offense.

“Last year, we ran a little bit of the I and the Spread.

We’re pretty much continuing the same thing. Plus, we’ll

show some one-back sets and some Wishbone,” the head

Red Devil said.

The biggest keys for the Red Devils to be successful, the

coach said, involve focus and health.

“We are not looking ahead at anybody on our schedule.

We have to take it one game at a time. About the worst

thing I could do is look past anybody. Plus, we have to have

everybody stay healthy. If we can do those things, we will

be as successful or better than last year.”AUGUSTA RED DEVILS

Sept. 3 ..............................................Hazen

Sept. 10 ......................................... Rector*

Sept. 17 ............................ @ Cross County*

Sept. 24 ............................. @ Marked Tree*

Oct. 1 ..........................East Poinsett County*

Oct. 8 .................................@ Magnet Cove

Oct. 15 ....................................@ McCrory*

Oct. 22 .............................. @ Cedar Ridge*

Oct. 29 ............................................Salem*

Nov. 4 ..................................Walnut Ridge*

Three Rivers Football, Pages 53 on 08/29/2010