West Rusk Hopes to Limit Mistakes Entering 2013 Football Season

NEW LONDON -- John Frazier sent a frequent message to his West Rusk Raiders on Monday morning: don't beat yourselves.

West Rusk's seventh-year head coach said that cost the Raiders too many times in 2012, when they finished 3-7 and missed the playoffs to snap a four-year postseason streak.

"Too many games last year that we hurt ourselves before the ball was even snapped," said Frazier, who is 42-25 since arriving in New London in 2007. "This year we're gonna worry about us and take care of us and make sure we don't hurt ourselves throughout the game."

West Rusk, which returns five offensive and six defensive starters, will once again rely on running back George Anthony. The 5-foot-11, 215-pounder has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, including 1,245 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior.

Seniors Elijah Dews and Tyrice Ross should make West Rusk's defensive front formidable. At 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, Ross has drawn interest from colleges after recording 56 tackles, nine for loss, and four sacks as a junior.

The 2013 season will be the second West Rusk enjoys in Bruce Bradshaw Stadium, which opened for the 2012 campaign. Frazier said the new facility -- along with a nice, new weight room and additional support amenities -- has been great.

"It's surreal, honestly," Frazier said. "It's just a blessing for our community and our school district to give us this stuff, and we're really appreciative of it."