Red Devils try to build up momentum

Barry Hickingbotham was given the chance last season to coach his alma mater.

His first season back could be considered a mild success after the Red Devils went 4-7, which included a 33-14 loss at Batesville in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

“To come back and coach at the same school your father has coached at, to coach at the school you graduated from, the city you lived in, it was something I always looked forward to,” said Hickingbotham, who graduated in 1987. “It was a great opportunity to come back and try to build on some things in the past.

“I was a ballboy on the sidelines for Coach [Bill] Reed and saw all the success and passion for football that those teams had. We’re in the process of trying to instill that excitement in our student-athletes.”

Success didn’t come easily for the Red Devils, who dropped their three nonconference games — all to teams that ultimately made the playoffs — by a combined score of 113-17 to start the 2014 season. A 42-0 victory over Little Rock Fair was sandwiched between those losses and three more in 5A-Central play. Then came three consecutive victories to end the regular season, including a 16-7 decision

over Little Rock McClellan that clinched a playoff berth in the final week.

“Our staff made the challenge to our kids, and it was a tribute to them to believe in what we were trying to instill in them and not giving up,” Hickingbotham said. “It’s easy when you’re 0-3 to say this is going down the wrong street. We hung on, then had a great offseason and got more excited about the future.”

The Red Devils’ offseason began with an influx of players from North Pulaski, which discontinued its program in the spring because of a lack of numbers. Hickingbotham said there are about 60 players on the team, with about 10 from North Pulaski remaining.

He said it’s been good seeing how players from both schools mesh.

“They missed part of the offseason because we didn’t get them over here to close to April, so they’re a little behind in the strength and training aspect,” Hickingbotham said. “They’re high-quality kids, and our kids have welcomed them with open arms.”

Leading the Red Devils’ attack is senior quarterback Brandon Hickingbotham, the coach’s son, who passed for more than 1,200 yards in 2014.

Sophomore running backs Danny Smith and Shawn Ellis and senior Robert Knowlin will try to fill the void left by Lamont Gause, who Hickingbotham called the top back in the 5A-Central last year.

“Those three kids have some big shoes to fill,” Hickingbotham said. “I’m hoping they can offset what we lost there.”

Senior Stevie Eskridge and junior Jonathan Hall are working at wide receiver, while senior Avery Wells provides a threat in the slot.

Seniors Keith Pervall, Terry Brown and Darian Phillips anchor the offensive front. Kendrick Rhynes was solid there last year, but Hickingbotham said he needs the talented junior more on the defensive side so he will still see limited offensive work.

The Red Devils have holes to fill defensively, particularly on the line and at middle linebacker. Hickingbotham said the secondary led by Eskridge and Wells is the strength of the unit. The two will be joined by senior cornerback Dameion Smith, who is coming off a broken finger, and sophomore HD Martin, who also will see time at receiver.

Senior Nate Robbins is the lone returner at linebacker and will be joined by Brown and senior Malcolm Crudup, who missed a majority of 2014 with a quad injury.

“We’re anxious to get him back on the football field because of the potential that he has,” Hickingbotham said. “We’re anxious to see how his rehab and recovery have paid off and to see him out there playing loose.”

Rhynes and senior ends Rickey Hatton and Seth Burroughs will be fixtures on the line, and Hickingbotham said the fourth spot will be by committee.