RUSK
EAGLES
District : 8-4A-II 2021 Record : 9-3 , 3-2 Coach : Thomas Sitton Record at RHS : 14-9 Returning Starters 6-Off ., 4-Def .
Eagles should be in playoff mix in a tough 8-4A-II
By Jay Neal
Rusk will enter the 2022 season with its share of personnel questions , especially on the defensive side , where the Red and Black return just four starters from last season ’ s 9-3 area finalist club .
Eagle head coach Thomas Sitton has a defensive back ground , which should help the team as it determines the young men that will take over some of the key roles on the defensive side .
The Red and Black will have a new quarterback this year . Aiden McCown , a senior , who played behind his brother Owen McCown ( Colorado University ) last year will have his opportunity under center this fall .
The preseason feedback indicated that the younger McCown was doing well in learning his new position and that everything seemed to be on track in that department .
Rusk will need some of the younger guys to step up in the receiving department , since Heston Kelly ( 109 catches last season ), has moved on to Stephen F . Austin State University .
Elijah Ward ( 821 yards receiving , seven touchdowns ) and Brailen Trawick are the early favorites to be the leaders amongst the Red and Black receivers .
District 8-4A-II with Van and Carthage having gone 12-1 and 11-1 respective last season .
Brownsboro ’ s Bears are an up and coming club that has 16 starters back off of a 5-6 team from a year ago and are capable of upsetting another rival on any given evening .
The Eagles should be in position to get everything seeded in during the first three weeks of the season when the Red and Black play Fairfield , Crockett and Athens — three clubs that combined to go 9-19 last season — in consecutive weeks .
14 JACKSONVILLE PROGRESS