Winnsboro Red Raiders are locked in for rival Mount Vernon

WINNSBORO, Texas ( KETK ) – Winnsboro head football coach Josh Finney could go on and on about the qualities and high level of play his Red Raiders have shown.

“They’re very good kids here. They’re hardworking, tough. They’re resilient,” Finney said.

Most impressive about this year’s squad is the fact Winnsboro lost a ton of talent from last season’s 12-1 team, including Finney’s son Kyler who was the Red Raiders stud quarterback.

The “Rugged Red” certainly hasn’t regressed on the football field this year.

“We’ve gotten better and better each week. Just had some unbelievable guys step up this year and rise up to the challenge with a chip on their shoulder,” Finney said.

Finney isn’t surprised by Winnsboro’s success this season.

Last year, the Red Raiders JV squad went a perfect 10-0, only allowing 14 points all season, and a lot of those younger players have stepped up to lead Winnsboro.

“We lost 20-something seniors which it hurts but whenever you have the guys on the JV going undefeated, I mean, they come up make some big plays,” Winnsboro wide receiver Camden Capehart said.

Capehart said this year’s squad isn’t much different from last year’s team which lost to eventual state champion Malakoff in the fourth round of the playoffs.

However, Capehart and his teammates would love to return the favor to Malakoff when they face the Tigers in their last game of the regular season.

They’re not overlooking Mount Vernon though, who they’ll face in a rivalry showdown Friday night.

“It’s always a pleasure to go out there and play Mount Vernon. I mean it’s a big game. Stadium’s always packed,” Winnsboro quarterback Nolee Carroll said.

“We can’t go into the game cocky. They’ve got some good players and I think we can beat them also we just gotta play our best,” Winnsboro running back Tyson Johnson added.

Winnsboro’s playmakers like Carroll, Johnson and Capehart deserve a lot of credit for their success but they’re quick to praise the Red Raiders offensive line as the team’s secret weapon.

“I haven’t got touched in like four games. It’s been a while since I’ve even hit the ground, I mean I got plenty of time,” Carroll said.

“Big role, I mean it’s not easy. My dad’s the O-line coach so I just gotta give them O-linemen some love,” Johnson added.

“We can’t ever overlook anybody. I really, I got some great players, great coaches and we can play as long as we want to,” Finney said.

Winnsboro faces rival Mount Vernon (2-6) Friday, October 25 in our Friday Football Fever Week 9 Game of the Week. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. from Don Meredith Stadium in Mount Vernon.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com.