Patton's Eagles off to uncharacteristic fast start

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September 11, 2012

Patton's Eagles off to uncharacteristic fast start

Jay Neal Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Tue Sep 11, 2012, 08:31 AM CDT

RUSK — The Rusk football Eagles are in the midst of changing their mode of operation this season.

For the first time in quite a while the Red and Black have opened the year by going 2-0 — the Eagles will try to make it three wins in as many weeks when they journey to Eustace for a date against the Bulldogs (1-1) on Friday.

“I know we haven't started this well since I have been here, and probably not for a long time,” Rusk head coach Ted Patton said Monday. “It's nice to start off this way and I think that it gives the kids a little boost and a little more confidence.”

The Eagle offense has been nothing short of sensational in wins over Terrell (47-8) and most recently over Crockett (35-13).

Running back Chaston Bennett has rushed for 421 yards in 24 carries through two games and is averaging 17.5 yards per carry. He has also scored three touchdowns in 2012.

Currently Bennett is on track for a 2,100-yard season — he gained just over 1,400 yards in 2011.

Patton says that one thing that helps Bennett is running behind an experienced offensive line, but that once he breaks free, it's all Bennett.

“Three of our five offensive linemen are returning starters and two of those kids have started since their sophomore year, so they what they are doing and they know how to open up some holes” Patton said. “ They are definitely doing a good job.

“(But) when Chaston gets in the open field he's able to really turn the speed on and he can hurt an (opposing) team when that happens.”

Eagle quarterback Kody Stanley has also played well this year.

Stanley scored touchdowns covering 1,9 and 12 yards, respectively in his club's victory over Crockett last Friday.

But for as good as the Eagles have been this season, Patton said that it is still early to anoint the Red and Black as the next best thing since sliced bread.

“Frankly even though Terrell is a (Class) 4-A school, they are learning new schemes under a new coach and they probably aren't as good right now as they will be later,” Patton said. “In the Crockett game, the game was actually closer than the final score indicated.

“We've got some things that we have to address in order to get better and reach our full potential. We didn't protect the ball (four fumbles lost) very well and we need to execute better.”

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Patton's Eagles off to uncharacteristic fast start

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