Published: August 28, 2008 02:00 am            

A familiar defense

Rusk defense looks a lot like Palestine’s

By SCOTT TYLER

H-P Sports Editor



When the Palestine offense looks across the football Friday night, they are going to see a familiar sight.

The Wildcats will be going against a Rusk defense that looks much like the defense that Palestine has run since Booker Bowie was the Wildcat defensive coordinator.

“It is going to look a lot like what we have been doing,” Bowie said. “And they do a good job at it.”

The reason for the similarities is that the Rusk defense, through some different channels, came from Bowie. Rusk new head coach Ted Patton brought the aggressive-style of defense with him from Elysian Fields. The defensive coordinator at Elysian Fields the last three years was Sam Wells, who was an assistant coach under Booker Bowie at Palestine in 2004.

“Coaches are the biggest copy cats in the world,” Bowie laughed. “It is nice to see what I do being used by other coaches.”

But Bowie also is quick to point out he also is a “copy cat.”

“Most of what I do comes from other coaches,” he said.

Palestine offensive coordinator Jamie Driskell said there might be an advantage to going against a defense similar to Palestine.

“We feel like we have seen this kind of defense everyday for the last three weeks,” Driskell said. “The scout team understands the defense and knows what they are doing.”

The Rusk defense will try to put as many defenders in the box as possible to stop the Wildcat spread offense.

“They will have seven in the box and if we go two-back, they will have eight,” Driskell said. “They are going to be very aggressive.”

The Rusk defense is lead by the linebacking corps of Daulton Pate, Trent Vaughn and Andrew Tucker — who Patton said have all done well during the Rusk scrimmages.

“Their linebackers flow to the ball well,” Driskell said. “They fly around and get to the football well.”

Driskell said the Wildcats may have to throw the ball to open up the running game against Rusk.

“Usually you run the ball to loosen up the defense but we may have to do the opposite,” Driskell said. “If we throw the ball, it is going to have to be quick because that defense does not give you much time.”

Patton said the Palestine offense may be one of the best ones his Rusk team will be seeing in non-district play.

“They are explosive on offense and their quarterback and running back are exceptional players,” the Rusk head coach said.

Junior quarterback Olin Terry had a break out game against Rusk last season rushing for 179 yards and three touchdowns and throwing for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior running back Alex Powell also had a big game against Rusk, rushing for 104 yards on 12 carries and had a touchdown. Powell has shined during the last three weeks of practice.

“Alex has been very positive and has high hopes for him and his team,” Driskell said. “If he takes care of the football, he will have big numbers.”

Driskell also has seen a strong performance during the last scrimmage from his wide receivers, who did not drop a pass in the scrimmage.

“Obviously, E.J. (Spurlock) is a very strong threat but the other have stepped up as well,” Driskell said. “That makes us a more dangerous team.”

The Palestine offensive line still is trying to be put together with players in the right spot and Driskell said because of the depth at the position, it has made for better competition between the linemen.

“Right now it has been a trail to get the right kids in the right spot,” Driskell said. “But we are going to find the right combination to have the best five on the field.”

        

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