Now improved, Raiders aiming for district title

Photo by Mitch Lucas YOU'RE GOING TO SMU, BUT FIRST WE'VE GOT BUSINESS TO TAKE CARE OF — West Rusk head coach John Frazier (right) playfully hands a football to tight end Braylon Williams, a verbal commitment to Southern Methodist University. The Raiders are talented enough to contend for the District 18-2A title this year. This year, the high school football season means a little more at West Rusk High School in New London.

That's because this year, there's no talk about rebuilding.

No one in Raider Nation is even saying anything resembling the 'R' word. And that's likely because of two things: a good bit of talented players returning to the lineup, and the way first-year coach John Frazier came out of the starting gate last season.

The Raiders, who had fallen on hard times due largely to having to play in a district where they were outmatched, suddenly stood up last year under Frazier's leadership and became one of the bullies on the block. West Rusk put together a 6-4 season in 2007, even going 4-3 in one of the toughest 2A districts in Texas. They took their playoff hopes to the last week of the season. And they also got one of the monkeys off their back by beating Troup, a year-in and year-out 2A power where Frazier once called offensive plays.

The districts have changed due to UIL realignment, but lots of hard competition is still there, and West Rusk will get an early start. The Raiders will play in a kickoff classic at Pine Tree High School's stadium tonight against Harleton, a 7:30 p.m. start.

Following tonight's game against Harleton, the Raiders will play four more games before finally getting to the District 19-2A opener Oct. 10 against Elkart, which also serves as West Rusk's homecoming.

But they're picked by Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine to finish third — that would get them into the playoffs, if they can make it happen.

The one place where the Raiders don't have absolute certainty is quarterback, where the graduated Matt Morton no longer resides. Junior Dominique Smith is in the mix at QB, as is sophomore Josh Medford, who has been a little banged up. "When he gets healthy," Frazier said, "you'll see Medford get some time at quarterback, as well."

Sophomore Josh Pauley is listed as a wideout on the roster, and expect newcomers Chris Johnson (a sophomore) and Jonathan Brewer (a junior) to make some plays. Look for Frazier to make sure and get the ball into the hands of seniors Braylon Williams (6-4, 230 and Felix Williams (6-1, 205), a pair of big tight ends. Braylon Williams, the younger brother of former West Rusk running back Brandon, is a verbal commitment to Southern Methodist University (SMU). He caught just seven passes last year, but took four of them four scores. Both are good blockers.

Daniel Thompson (5-10, 180, a senior), who rushed for 602 yards and seven touchdowns on just 47 carries last year, returns to the backfield. He'll have a lot of help from those two tight ends and from a offensive line made up exclusively of seniors, including Jared Hoover (5-11, 240), Cody King, and Cody Walters. Mark Barnes, Pete Garcia, Sam Arvizu and Osvaldo Vasquez are also all back for their senior campaigns.

Defensively, expect both the Williams tight ends to double as defensive linemen. Braylon Williams had 83 tackles last year. Josh Patin, a senior cornerstone of the team, returns, and another senior, Beau Bower, is back, as well.

Linebackers Johnny Fauver and Chris Savala, both sophomores, had good two-a-day practices and should be playmakers, Frazier said. The secondary will include Medford, Dominique Smith, Patrick McHam, Brandon Johnson, Thompson, and Pauley.

The new district alignment places the Raiders still with Arp and Troup, and they're joined by Elkhart, Frankston, and Garrison.

"It's going to be a challenge, for sure," Frazier said. "I expect there to be at least five of the six teams seriously competing for the playoff spots. ...Last year, it was about getting better, no question. This year I'd be lying if I said we didn't expect to make the playoffs and contend for a district championship."

Frazier will be assisted by defensive coordinator Justin Hunley, linebackers and offensive line coach Travis Snyder, defensive ends and line coach Russell Gammell, running back and line coach David Lacy, and backs coaches Lee Clark, David Sheppard and Burt Langley. The head athletic trainer at West Rusk is a familiar name to Kilgore High School fans: former KHS softball standout Cheyenne Savony.