Druid Hills football coach Jim Rakestraw conceded that Saturday’s opening foe Southwest DeKalb is probably bigger and faster than his Red Devils, but he says he’ll put his faith in the character of this year’s squad.

“We don’t have one player over 200 pounds,” Rakestraw said. “Matter of fact, our biggest boy is Mike Evans, a junior defensive tackle, and he only weighs around 188.”

But team attitude has impressed Rakestraw, now in his second year as the Druids’ head man.

“This team has better character than the last few here. These folks go after people.”

“We’d be a contender if we only had more depth,” he said, saying that after a 3-6-1 season should tell opponents that the smaller, slower, fewer Red Devils are not to be taken lightly.

Two main reasons are Joe Stubbs (5-10, 180) and Sandy Freeman (6-1, 185).

Stubbs, who because of injuries of one kind or another hasn’t played since he started as a 10th grader, is healthy for a change. And for a change, the Druid Hills offense has a lad with the potential to break for some long ones.

“That is, if he stays healthy. Incidentally, he is in the top 5 percent of his class and student body president.”

Freeman, a fine blocker who reportedly has improved his running somewhat by working on hitting the line not so straight up, “should be about the best linebacker in the county,” Rakestraw says with confidence and pride.

“He’s in the same class with the boy at Chamblee (Gary Kiker),” he continued. “You know he led the team in tackles?” he asked. “He’s just a 100 percent guy. A real prospect.”

Junior quarterback Chuck Nichols (5-10, 155) directs the attack. He’s a smart boy who throws an accurate short pass.

Best linemen on the team are two-way senior tackle Mike Kelly (6-0, 185) and two-way guard Harold Reese (6-2, 155).

Junior fullback-linebacker Andy Hall (5-10, 185) will team with Freeman to make it tough on opposing runners.