Open date for WR

There's some relief among the Class 2A teams in the area this week. That's because the West Rusk High School Raiders have the weekend off. West Rusk, off to a blistering 5-start, has an open date tomorrow before beginning the District 19- 2A schedule next week at home against Elkhart. That's also homecoming for the Raiders.

West Rusk was among a pack of teams last season vying for a playoff spot in the district, but with UIL alignment, Elysian Fields and Tatum are now no longer district opponents. Troup and stateranked Arp are still there, though.

Raiders fans certainly have little to complain about this season. The Raiders have beaten Harleton, T.K. Gorman, New Diana, Hughes Springs and Queen City, and have had games on both sides of the spectrum — there were the blowouts (Harleton and Queen City) and the competitive games (the rest). The offense and defense have both had their moments, and the running game is as good as anyone's on the 2A level.

West Rusk has 1,809 yards rushing on the season and 20 touchdowns rushing scores per game. Daniel Thompson, a senior, leads the way. Thompson has 781 yards and eight touchdowns on 82 carries this season. He's almost averaging 10 yards per carry.

Josh Patin has 432 yards and three scores on 59 carries, and Santos Gonzalez has came on strong lately. Gonzalez only has 106 rushing yards, but he has three touchdowns and did that on 13 carries.

As a result of the rushing success, the Raiders haven't had to throw that much. Braylon Williams, Patin, Josh Medlock, Beau Bower and Thompson have just 113 yards recieving between them, and Josh Medford, the starting quarterback, has only thrown the ball 15 times, one of them a touchdown to Williams.

The Raiders have scored 150 points (30 per game).

Defensively, they've been equally impressive. West Rusk has allowed just 61 points, 533 rushing yards and 896 total yards through the five games played. Chris Savala leads the team in tackles (50). Patin has five sacks and a fumble recovery for a touchdown (versus Harleton) and Williams and Felix Williams each have four sacks.

West Rusk is coached by John Frazier, in his second season.