The number 37 holds a special meaning at West Rusk High School in New London, Texas.
Back in 1937, over 300 lives were lost when the London School exploded due to a natural gas leak.
85 years later, West Rusk still makes sure to honor those victims every time its football team takes the field.
On its football field at Bruce Bradshaw Stadium, the 37-yard line on either side of the field has golden hashmarks.
And just last season, West Rusk head coach Nick Harrison added a new tradition. Each week, the Raider coaching staff selects a deserving player to wear the number 37 for that week’s game. It’s a huge honor that carries tremendous weight within the community.
Starting next year we will have a special jersey. It will be worn by a member of the football team, chosen each week by the coaching staff, to honor those from the past. We want those chosen, to understand the effects this school has on the community. Represent us well. #R3 pic.twitter.com/iPrTQf7Tk6
— West Rusk Athletics (@WestRuskRaiders) April 5, 2021
“Our kids know every time they put on the Columbia blue what they’re representing,” Harrison said. “We preach the 37, and that’s really brought the community together. There’s a lot of history through here and our kids represent us really well.”
Outside of the London Museum and Café and Main Street Donuts, Harrison said there isn’t much in the small town of 1,181 people.
Filling that void is football, which Harrison said the community is heavily invested in. And with sixteen starters back and the Raiders coming off their first ever undefeated regular season in school history, hopes are high that West Rusk could be set for a historic season. The Raiders have made the state quarterfinals twice before in 2010 and 2015 but have never advanced beyond that point.
“Going undefeated in the regular season wasn’t really a goal for us, but it ended up happening and just real proud of the kids,” Harrison said. “There’s a lot of good energy, going three rounds deep the past two years. Now it’s kind of time to try to get to that next level.”
Heading the charge towards taking that next step will be senior quarterback Andon Mata (2599 passing yards and 35 touchdowns). He brings plenty of experience heading into his third year as the starter.
Had the chance to do something special with my brothers last week. We broke the school passing yardage record and tied the TD record. Couldn’t have done it without them. 347 Yards and 6 TD’s. @justinwells2424 @SR_scouting @WestRuskRaiders pic.twitter.com/Qe01LZyiqK
— Andon Mata (@AndonMata) October 17, 2021
“Andon’s done a great job this offseason,” Harrison said. “We talk about you can play quarterback and you can be a quarterback. And when he’s not playing football, he is a quarterback. He’s a great leader.”
He will have plenty of weapons around him too as senior receivers Geremiah Smith (883 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns), Will Jackson (734 yards and eight touchdowns), and Keyshawn Lewis (165 yards) all return.
The offensive line is a strength as well as Osvaldo Avendano, Jorge Bustamante, Koal Minor, and Kason Reed are all back after earning all-district honors a year ago.
“We all know we got skill kids, but without those big boys up front, we wouldn’t be able to get the ball to them,” Harrison said. “It really starts with them. If they give Andon time and open up some holes, I think we have a really good chance to be successful.”
Defensively, seven starters are back, but Harrison said that the Raiders are looking for vocal leaders to emerge on that side of the football.
Among the players Harrison is expecting to step up are defensive end Calvin Mason (89 tackles, 15 TFLs) and linebacker Jimmie Harper (109 total tackles).
Meanwhile, back in the secondary, Harrison is confident about the talent his Raiders have as Ty Harper (36 tackles, 4 INTs), Carson Martin (42 tackles, 4 INTs), Wesley Griffin (61 tackles) all return, while Smith (53 tackles, 3 INTs) and Jackson will play both ways after having an impact on both sides of the ball last season.
“We feel like [the secondary] is really solid, and they’re going to communicate well,” Harrison said. “We just need that one guy who can be the quarterback for our defense.”
Looking forward to their schedule this season, the Raiders will have five of the same six district opponents as Edgewood replaced Harmony in the lone change in District 9-3A Division II.
Heading into this year, Harrison knows that his team will have a target on their back after two straight district titles.
— West Rusk Athletics (@WestRuskRaiders) November 8, 2021
“People want to knock us off in our district,” Harrison said. “We’re excited for it. We love getting people’s best games because it’s doing nothing but making us better.”
And with plenty of three-year starters returning, there’s a sense that this could be a special year for West Rusk. But with all they hype surrounding the Raiders, Harrison said he and his coaching staff will need to make sure his players stay focused on the task at hand week-by-week.
“The main thing for us to do is to control us,” Harrison said. “Each week we just got to try to get better, stay hungry, practice well, be well organized, and go compete on Friday nights.”
2022 West Rusk Football Schedule
(Bold designates District 9-3A Division II Matchup)
8/26 vs. Malakoff
9/2 at Gladewater Sabine
9/9 at Mineola
9/16 vs. Tatum
9/23 at Arp
10/7 vs. Winona
10/14 at Grand Saline
10/21 vs. Troup
10/28 at Quitman
11/4 vs. Edgewood
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