Rusk players to emerge from Sturns' shadow

For six seasons, the Rusk Eagles have been led by a blue-chip rusher. Cody Glenn powered the offense from 2001-04, with Justin Sturns nipping at his heels beginning in 2003. With the graduation of Sturns last month, many Eagle

fans wonder who will step up. Neither Dave Campbell, nor Eagle Head Coach Wayne Mahaffey, know.

Even with the playmaker yet to be determined, Dave Campbell's Texas Football predicts Rusk will make the playoffs as the 3rd place team from District 20 AAA. Carthage and Crockett were picked #1 and #2, with Diboll, Center and Huntington following Rusk in that order.

Coach Wayne Mahaffey said, "I've been here eight years and someone has stepped up every year. Kids graduate and kids come in. It's part of the process of what we do."

Coach Mahaffey said by having Sturns on the team, many talented players have been overlooked.

"We still have kids who can play," Coach Mahaffey said. "They are no longer in Sturns shadow. Some will be a surprise."

Coach Mahaffey was quick to point out that Rusk has great playmakers in receivers Bobby McDuff and J.J. Session, who return to the team this season.

"They are as dangerous of receivers as we have ever had," he said. "They are capable of breaking big plays."

McDuff and Session both have speed, with McDuff having soft hands and Session being able to make the leaping catch, when needed. Coach Mahaffey said the backfield will be strong as well.

"Horrace Lewis will be back. We'll have Marcel Johnson back and Manny Griffin is back," he said. "Each will be a factor. It may be a different one every time (that stands out in a ball game.)"

Coach Mahaffey said the offensive line, anchored by All-State honorable mentions Kenny Trotter and Matthew Davis, is the Eagles' strength.

"Our offensive line is experienced with great size," he said. "We average 275 pounds with our offensive line. They are big kids who have played a lot and understand what we are doing."

Coach Mahaffey said sophomore John Trotter, Kenny's cousin, will be a stand out on the defensive line with Quinn Anthony.

"Quinn came into his own last year," he said. "He played well on offense and defense. He will be a force."

Anthony started in the defensive end position as a sophomore.

Other key starters returning from last year's 8-4, district cochampion, area finalist team, are Demarcus "Nip" Skinner, Cody Daniel, Chance Cleaver, Jared Colville and Keith Lewis. Ricky Rojo returns as place kicker and Trent Vaught will move up from JV to the line backer position.

Two other returning starters for the Eagles are the red and black jerseys. Last year, the players bemoaned Coach Mahaffey's decision to switch from the black to the red jerseys after losing a heartbreaker to Diboll 44-41. The players believed the red jerseys were bad luck.

"A football jersey has never gained a yard, missed a tackle or scored a touchdown," Coach Mahaffey said. "It's who's in them and how they perform."

He said the irony of last year was that after Rusk switched to the red jerseys, the Eagles won three of their four games in those jerseys. He joked that if they had worn the black jerseys in the area finals, Rusk might have beat La Vega.

Coach Mahaffey then announced that the first home game would be played in the black jerseys.

Rusk opens the season on the road against the Mabank Panthers Aug. 31. The first home game of the season will be against the Van Vandals Sept. 7.

The Eagles return nine offensive starters and six defensive starters. Rusk has 17 lettermen returning this season.