Eagles hit the road, face Mabank Friday
Rusk will play six road games this season
Six months of off-season training, several weeks of seven-on-seven, working to stay in shape over the summer, three weeks of twoa days and two scrimmages have all built up for the Rusk Eagles' season opener against the Mabank Panthers Friday.

LELAND ACKER

With ten seniors entering their third year of playing varsity football, the Eagles have much to be optimistic about. However, the road to glory is long and uphill.

Head Coach Wayne Mahaffey could not name the toughest opponent Rusk will play this year, saying there are a bunch of good teams on the schedule.

"Van is good. Gladewater is good, Westwood will be better. Carthage is improved as well as Crockett and Diboll," coach Mahaffey said. "There are no easy games this year."

Not even Huntington? "Huntington thinks they will be better," he continued. "There are no patsies."

Rusk vs. Mabank preview

The Mabank Panthers will be the first team Rusk faces this season. The Panthers have six starters and 15 lettermen returning from a 6-5 playoff team that is expected to finish second in District 13 AAA.

The 2007 Rusk Eagles feature 10 seniors who have played varsity football since they were sophomores. The Eagles are scheduled to play six road games this season, including Mabank, Gladewater, Palestine, Diboll, Carthage and Center. Rusk will only play four home games.

Mabank is not as sizeable as last year, but have a speedster in free safety Norman Brady, who runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds. Brady had 63 tackles and three interceptions last season.

In addition to speed in the backfield, Mabank has a solid defensive line. The Panthers expect to have a stingy defense.

This will present a challenge to the Rusk offense, who scored three touchdowns on Fairfield in a scrimmage on Aug. 18, and only managed to score three times against Bullard on Aug. 23.

Mabank also has a weapon Rusk has not seen. Quarterback Kolton Browning started toward the end of the season as a sophomore. He gained more than 1,500 yards in the six games he started.

For Rusk to beat the Panthers, the Eagles will have to find consistency in the offense and control the line of scrimmage.

Eagle wide receiver Bobby McDuff struggles to catch a pass during a recent scrimmage with the Bullard Panthers. McDuff, who caught a 70-yard touchdown pass against Fairfield, will be one of Rusk's prime receivers this season. PHOTOS: LELAND ACKER

After the Mabank game, the Eagles have a long row to hoe. The challenges include a season with four home games and six road games.

"There's lot's of travel," coach Mahaffey said. "We like playing at home because we can establish a routine. We have been a good road team, though. We have an added road game this year. The crowds are different, but we will handle that well."

Game time

The Eagles face the Panthers at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Mabank. The stadium is located on U.S. Highway. 175.