The Rider Chronicle » football

Raiders Hold Their Own Against Top Ranked Ryan

adviser — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 21:33:13 +0000

Thursday Oct. 6, Rider lost to Denton Ryan 20-17. Driving home from Memorial Stadium that night, my friend texted me and asked how the game went. I told him we lost, and he promptly responded saying, “I knew y’all would get creamed.”

I’m so happy my car is still intact, because I was so mad at his ignorance that I wanted to drive to his house and run my Grand Am through his front door. What happened on the field on Thursday might be the farthest thing from, “getting creamed,” possible. If anything, it showed how incredible of a team we have this year.

Allow me to share some statistics about Denton Ryan: 5 state championship appearances in the past 10 years, 2 championships in that span, currently ranked No. 2 in the entire state, numerous players already committed to D1 football programs like Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor and Florida State. They’ve beaten us by a combined 52 points the last two seasons, and had two weeks to prepare for the game after a by week.

Seems like a true David and Goliath situation right? Every newspaper in the state predicted Ryan would slaughter us.

In the first 15 minutes, Ryan got up 17-0, and it seemed like those papers were right. At this point in the game, I along with some of the people next to me on the rail of the student section couldn’t help but remember the 21-point fourth quarter comeback against Abilene Cooper, which Coach Gar described as, “one of the best wins in Rider history.” We knew Rider had the capacity to win this game, and right one cue, we started on an incredible comeback.

Over the next 33 minutes, the defense held the red hot Ryan Raiders scoreless. The Ryan Raiders attempted a total of five passes the entire game, and so the defense needed to stop the run. In the first quarter, Ryan ran a 72-yard touchdown, so stopping the run might seem like a tall order. But if you were at the game, it seemed like every player on the defense morphed into an NFL player, or maybe a Greek god. It felt like every play there were players in the backfield hassling the running back. Considering that the average weight of Ryan’s starting offensive lineman is upwards of 280 pounds, and we were pushing them around wherever we pleased, I’d say something extraordinary possessed those players after the first 15 minutes.

And then there’s the offense. This is where we ran into our biggest problem, and his name is Mario Edwards. He is a 6’4 285-pound senior defensive end for Denton Ryan, who has already committed to the Florida State. In the August edition of ESPN the magazine, he was ranked as the No. 3 player in every division of high school football and by far the best defensive end. You could recognize him before the game incredibly easily. He was the one who was casually walking around while his team warmed up. He also wore a chain wrapped around his body while he warmed up. Oh yeah, and he was also one of the biggest human beings I’ve ever seen, and I’m the same age as him!

But, I’d say we have the perfect solution to this problem. During the comeback, the offense was still able to conduct itself nicely. JT Barrett had plenty of time to let his pass plays develop. Our plethora of running backs (especially Dominic Thrasher and Anthony Wagner) had holes to burst through. All of this largely due to 6’4 283-pound junior offensive lineman Harrison Sorge, who was matched up against Mario Edwards.

During the comeback, Sorge went toe to toe with Edwards every down of those 33 minutes, and basically shut him down. Sorge held Edwards to two tackles the entire game, which is a monumental accomplishment considering Edwards averaged that many sacks a game last season. If Sorge would not have played as lights out as he did, we never would have come back.

We tied the Ryan Raiders 17-17 in the fourth quarter. Barrett threw a perfect 49-yard touchdown pass to junior Brandon Williams, who beat two defenders by about 1 step. Anthony Wagner capped a 14 play, 63-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown run and Cal Johnson hit a 46-yard field goal.

The Ryan Raiders had 1st and goal on our 4-yard line. This is where we made an incredible goal line stand, which was punctuated by senior Cody O’Donnell forcing a fumble on 4th and goal from the one yard line, and giving us the ball back on our own 3-yard line.

We were forced to punt, but once again, the resurgent Raider defense took the field and held the Ryan offense, forcing them to attempt a 31-yard field goal with about one and a half minutes left. This is where senior Blake Brom came storming around the blockers, and blocked the kick, giving us the ball back, and an overflowing amount of momentum and drive.

Barrett ran for 12 yards, completed a pass to junior Brylan McCoy for another first down, and then threw an interception to Denton Ryan, which eventually led to them kicking the game winning field goal.

A heartbreak to say the least, but there is no way we would have comeback to tie Ryan without his passing, tough running, and overall leadership on the field. I heard nobody at school blaming JT for the loss. That’s one of the things I love about being a student at Rider: we stay united.

Raider Football: More Than a Sport

Ashleigh Robinson — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:23:05 +0000

The Road to Victory: Football’s playoff run started with early wins

adviser — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 20:26:39 +0000

“If we win, we’re in!” he yelled out to the field house, his voice stretching way back to the very last row of the stands, through several teens. His heart raced as he looked around the massive gym. In the stands, students were filled with Rider Spirit as they cupped their hands around their mouths, shouting words of praises into the air. To his left, his boys stood with excitement, adrenaline pumping.
They were ready.
Just four hours later at Memorial Stadium, the football game has been postponed. The stands have been partially evacuated, and in the main walkway of the Stadium stand many students and adults stand, all anxiously waiting for the game delay to be over. Murmurs of anticipation for what would become one of Rider’s biggest games of the year floated around the walkway.
It’s thundering, the rays of electricity lighting up the sky almost as brightly as the sun does. Accompanying the lightning is thunder. It shakes the earth and rattles eardrums as the lightning blazes the sky.
The boys can’t play if it’s lightning, but Rider head coach James Garfield “was not worried at all about the weather.”
“I knew the boys would respond no matter what the situation would be,” said Garfield. “We have a plan in place for weather-type situations.”
They didn’t need a plan as the game delay ran out, only setting the kickoff 30 minutes back from its normally scheduled time. Now that it was game time, the boys and fans couldn’t wait to get their heads into the game.
Rider came out with a strong win, beating The Colony with a final score of 24-21. The win, which solidified a playoff slot, thrilled Coach Garfield.
“I was as excited as a kid on Christmas day,” Garfield said. As his first year as head coach, the opportunity to bring a team to the playoffs speaks volumes about his talent as a coach.
“Coach always tells us, ‘Take it one play at a time, one series at a time, one quarter at a time, one half at a time, and one game at a time,’” Junior and linebacker Eddie Speight said. Adding that Garfield is great at inspiring the boys to work hard.
The boys on the football team were also overjoyed when they won the game. They played a hard game, and worked harder to pull a win.
“I felt great. I knew all the hard work and dedication the team put in would pay off,” Speight said.
A strong strategy is in place for the playoff games.
“The team strategy is to maintain the ball on offense and play with a fast tempo,” said Garfield when speaking about Rider football offense. “[With] defense, we want to play fast and physical without breakdowns.”

Raiders lock up second place in district and secure playoff berth with victory over Denton

byrondowling — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 19:39:33 +0000

The Rider Raiders football team has secured a playoff spot and are headed to the 4A division 1 playoff bracket after a 56 to 2 victory over the Denton Broncos. With the win the Raiders have locked up second place regardless of the outcome of the crosstown rivalry with Old High. The Coyotes, whose playoff chances are relatively over after a 35 to 3 loss to Denton Ryan, will be playing for pride and provide a decent test for the Raiders who will begin playoffs the following week.
“The first thing we gotta do is get ready to play Old High,” Coach James Garfield said. “We also have to get our grades taken care of.” “We’re students first.”
The Raiders will more than likely be destined to the big-school bracket. The district’s two highest populated schools that make the playoffs play in the division 1 bracket. Lewisville The Colony has a higher population than Rider but has a long shot of making the playoffs, so more than likely Denton Ryan and Rider will be the district’s division 1 representatives.
The Rider Raiders can actually find themselves in the Division 2 playoff bracket, but saying that’s a long shot is more than an understatement. For Rider to go division 2 they need The Colony to beat Denton, Little Elm to lose to Denton Ryan, and for Old High to actually beat Rider. This would force a one game playoff with Old High and The Colony with the winner advancing to the playoffs.
As for preparation for the playoffs, Garfield hasn’t really changed up his game plan. “We just need to have good practices and lots of film work,” Garfield said. “ We also need to prepare a little more mentally than physically.”
As for Raider’s opponent in their Bi-district, they’re still unknown. They will play the first place finisher from district 3-4A which is still up in the air. The Raiders could play either the Dons of Amarillo Palo Duro, the Raiders of Canyon Randall, or the Amarillo Caprock ‘Horns. Nothing is set in stone as all three teams are tied for first.
The Raiders scouted Palo Duro when they were filming for their game against Amarillo high. The Sandies defeated Palo Duro 21-0 but also beat Rider 35-7. “They’re a lot like us [Palo Duro]” Garfield said. “They like to run the Wing-T.”
If the Raider’s advance they will play the Bi-district winner between the winner’s of district 1-4A and 2-4A. This would consist of a host of El Paso teams, teams that spend almost their entire football season playing out their district schedules against other El Paso teams. No playoff opponent should ever be taken lightly, but in the Raider’s last 7 playoff appearances they have never lost to an El Paso team.
If the Rider Raiders advance to the third round of the playoffs, that’s where things will get interesting. If the both Rider and Denton Ryan find themselves still in the playoffs three weeks from now, they will also find themselves in a district title rematch. Rider will have a chance to avenge a 35-14 defeat to the Ryan Raiders who will be more than mindful of Rider’s knack to defeat teams in the playoffs that they suffered losses to in the regular season, just ask the Stephenville Yellow Jackets about that.
This is the first year that Rider has ever been in the Division 1 playoffs.
“I’ve never been head coach before so I guess I’ll find out,” Garfield said.

Faculty focuses on moving 50-year rivalry from streets to football field

Kayla Holcomb — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 19:26:02 +0000

Glory. Triumph. Spirit. Over the years, Rider High School and Wichita Falls High School have battled it out, competing for bragging rights as the winning high school for the year.
The reason? When Rider was founded, it split Wichita Falls High School in two, and half of the students transferred to the new school. Then the rivalry began.
“It was almost like a kind of civil war,” science teacher Stacie Martin said. “It was kind of like a fight between family members, and then it got to be the young upstart school that kind of put the old guard to the test, and from the time that [Rider] began, Old High’s reign as state champion and football powerhouse kind of came to a screeching halt.”
The rivalry grew fiercer as the years passed. Students got involved in pranks against the other school, vandalizing property belonging to both the school and its students. A growing problem was created by students seeing the rivalry as an opportunity for mischief.
“It’s just trying to create a situation of controversy,” Martin said. “When the game is over you should make the rivalry, ‘Hey we beat you!’ and end it with that, because remember these people are still your friends, the people you go to church with, or your next-door neighbors.”
Nowadays the original reason for opposition is unknown to the majority who participate in these shenanigans.
“Anytime you have a high school branch off and open another one, there’s going to be an intense thing there because everyone knows each other, but eventually they’re not even sure why they hate each other anymore,” band director Loy Studer said.
Moving the rivalry from the streets to back in the game where it belongs has been a main focus of the school administrators, teachers, and coaching staff over the past few years to improve the school’s atmosphere and result in a healthier rivalry. Constant reminders and enforced punishments from them have helped to somewhat diminish the vandalism levels.
“The coaches have had a lot to do with it,” Martin said. “They set the tone and encourage the athletes to behave and represent the school well, and I think the student body is really responsive to what the coaching staff does, and they will follow suit and leave it on the field.”
Fan Fest was created this year as a form of pep rally for all the schools in WFISD to come together and support all of the athletes, bands, cheerleaders, and dance teams in hopes to bring the city together despite the rivalries.
“It provided an opportunity for everybody to showcase their different talents, and they did it in a spirit of friendship, and the coaches seemed to present a united front saying,’These are all our teams, and we should root for all our teams,’” Martin said.
One thing is for certain though, Rider Raiders have always had school spirit and want to beat the Old High Coyotes no matter what.
“Every year when the Rider/Old High game rolls around, I become that 18-year-old kid again, and I want to beat them probably worse than anybody else in the school,” Raider Crew and cheerleading sponsor Michelle Ballard said. “I know it sounds ridiculous to people that haven’t grown up with it and have true, deep Rider Raider feelings, but for me, I’d rather do anything than lose to the Coyotes.”
In the end, it’s not only the result of the Rider/Old High game that matters, but how the teams, both on and off the field, played the game.
“Anything can happen,” Ballard said. “For both schools, nothing, not even their records, matters during that game because the intensity is such that both are going to fight to the bitter end to make sure they’re the one to come out on top.”

District 4-4A Playoff Race in High Gear

byrondowling — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:35:53 +0000

The Raiders find themselves sitting in second place in a competitive district 4-4A race only trailing the Raiders of Denton Ryan who are currently 4-0 in district.

The Raiders posses a district record of 2-1. Rider, who had a bye week this previous Friday, got some help this Friday from Little Elm and Lake Dallas who dropped Old High and Denton’s district records from 1-1 to 1-2 while the Lobos and Falcons improve to 2-2 in district play. This is good news to the Rider Raider’s who hold the advantage as they have beaten both Lake Dallas and Little Elm who currently hold the district’s final two playoff spots.

Rider will play host to the Cougars of Lewisville The Colony this Friday, a 33-0 loser to Denton Ryan last Friday dropping their district record to 1-3. If the Raiders win and Lake Dallas loses, it will guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. Lake Dallas plays host to Old High this Friday. Old High, who is sitting at 1-2 right now, is coming off a 59-35 thumping courtesy of the Little Elm Lobos who have a bye this week. If Old High loses, it will more than likely eliminate their playoff hopes.

The Raiders will travel to Denton next Friday to take on the Broncos whose playoff chances will more than likely end after they take on #4 ranked Denton Ryan Raiders this Friday.

The current the district standing are Denton Ryan sitting atop at 4-0 followed by Rider in second place at 2-1. Lake Dallas and Little Elm are currently tied for the third place both sitting at 2-2. Old high and Denton are on the outside of the playoff circle looking in with 1-2 district records tied for fifth place. Finally Lewisville The Colony is at the bottom in seventh place. The top four teams make the playoffs and if both Raiders take care of business this Friday there will be five teams fighting for two playoff spots.

The Raiders find themselves sitting in second place in a competitive district 4-4A race only trailing the Raiders of Denton Ryan who are currently 4-0 in district.
The Raiders posses a district record of 2-1. Rider, who had a bye week this previous Friday, got some help this Friday from Little Elm and Lake Dallas who dropped Old High and Denton’s district records from 1-1 to 1-2 while the Lobos and Falcon’s improve to 2-2 in district play. This is good news to the Rider Raider’s who hold the advantage as they have beaten both Lake Dallas and Little Elm who currently hold the district’s final two playoff spots.
Rider will play host to the Cougars of Lewisville The Colony this Friday, a 33-0 loser to Denton Ryan last Friday dropping their district record to 1-3. If the Raiders win and Lake Dallas loses, it will guarantee them a spot in the playoffs. Lake Dallas plays host to Old High this Friday. Old High, who is sitting at 1-2 right now, is coming off a 59-35 thumping courtesy of the Little Elm Lobo’s who have a bye this week. If Old High loses, it will more than likely eliminate their playoff hopes.
The Raiders will travel to Denton next Friday to take on the Broncos whose playoff chances will more than likely end after they take on #4 ranked Denton Ryan Raiders this Friday.
The current the district standing are Denton Ryan sitting atop at 4-0 followed by Rider in second place at 2-1. Lake Dallas and Little Elm are currently tied for the third place both sitting at 2-2. Old High and Denton are on the outside of the playoff circle looking in with 1-2 district records tied for fifth place. Finally Lewisville The Colony is at the bottom in seventh place. The top four teams make the playoffs and if both Raiders take care of business this Friday there will be five teams fighting for two playoff spots.

‘He’s the biggest Raider fan I’ve ever met’

byrondowling — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 18:55:06 +0000

“One Family, One Team,” these are the words that signify the post-Ponder era with Coach Garfield to take the reins as Rider’s new head football coach and athletic coordinator.

“I was really excited,” Coach James Garfield said after being named the head coach. “I love Rider High School and I love the students of Rider,” Garfield said. “Wichita Falls is a football town,” Garfield said.

Garfield, who has been coaching at Rider for nine year also brings experience from Eastern New Mexico State, Midwestern State University, Socorro High School, and served as the head coach at Corpus Christi Flower Bluff High School.

Becoming the head football coach at Rider, however, came at a personal cost to Coach Garfield.

In order to become the head football coach and Athletic coordinator, Garfield had to give up his special education teaching job, one which is very important to him and made the decision difficult to make.

“The main thing that I struggled with was him leaving the classroom,” principal Judy McDonald said. “Fortunately, we found Coach Lane.” “Gar is a great mentor to him.”

McDonald along with Athletic Director Kenny Catney and Superintendent George Kazanas discussed the duties with Garfield about the requirements and the expectations it takes to be the head football coach.

“He was very well suited for the job,” McDonald said. “He was interested in the job from the get go, and he’s the biggest Raider fan I’ve ever met, he’s a Raider through and through.”

As far as the football aspect goes, Coach Garfield wants to put his signature on the Rider Raider Football program, establish a faster tempo, but also help his players become good role models in the community.

“My philosophies haven’t changed,” Garfield said.

Garfield still believes that the lessons learned from playing football can not only benefit a person athletically but also believes the respect of authority learned in football can be used in every aspect of life.

“I still want to be someone that the kids can come to,” Garfield said. “My door is always open.”

When the players heard the news they knew what to expect.

“Coach Gar is someone that knows the program and what Rider football is all about.

“He’s energetic and excited about what’s going on,” senior wide receiver Graham McGregor said.

Senior offensive line man Daniel Olivo agrees.

“Everyone already knew what Coach Garfield was about,” Olivo said.

“It’s better having him as a coach instead of having to get use to a new coach.”

Senior wide receiver Devon Garvin says Garfield’s greatest strength is his ability to bring the team together.

“[He] brings us together as a team, One Family, One Team,” Garvin said.

Garfield has succeeded in that aspect as he has the respect of not just the football team but the whole school.

“He’s always looking out for the players, making sure they have a future,” junior Anna Jackson said. “He helps you regardless if you’re on the team.”

Football Starts Season

adviser — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 20:03:33 +0000

With an emotional off-season finally behind them and a new head coach on their hands, the 2010 football team was ready to come out fighting in their season opener against the Cougars of 5A Abilene Cooper. Tevin Aldridge took Rider’s first offensive play of the year 83 yards for a touchdown, and after Tyler Weir picked off Clayton Nicholas on Cooper’s first offensive series, it seemed as if the Raiders had an upset on their hands. However the Cougars wouldn’t lose their composure and found themselves with a 21-15 halftime lead that they wouldn’t surrender to the Raiders in the second half pacing Abilene Cooper to a 40-21 victory in a emotional season opener for both teams.

“We knew what we were up against when we scheduled to play them (Cooper),” senior Bryan Kisinger said. “We needed to set the tone, but mistakes killed us.”
The Raiders actually had the lead three times in the first half, but each time Cooper was able to retake it from the Raiders.
After Cooper scored on their second drive due to favorable field position, Connor Nutt nailed a 34-yard field goal to give the Raiders the lead 9-7, however the Cougars pulled off a 76-yard touchdown pass and just like that Cooper retook the lead 14-9. The Raiders would answer back when Malcolm Carter hooked up with Graham McGregor on a 26-yard touchdown pass to give Rider its final lead of the game. The Cougars would score one more time to preserve a 21-15 halftime lead that never really came in question for the duration of the second half. The Raiders managed to pull within 34-21 when Deron Royster scored from one-yard out, but Abilene Cooper would score one more time in the fourth to put the game away.
“We need to play as a team,” senior Devon Garvin said. “We need to practice real hard and work on our mistakes.”
The Raiders once again will be tested as they travel to Arlington to play the #10 team of 3A Kennedale Sept. 3.

Editor’s Playoff Predictions for NFL Wild Card Week

Editor-in-Chief — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:58:09 +0000

Here we are. 12 teams remain. Eight play this week. I’ll tell who will win and why, and my “clutch” player predictions for each game.

AFC

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals
First of all the Jets shouldn’t even be in the playoffs. Their last two games were against teams who already had a clinched their playoff spot and sat many of their starters. Last week the Jets did beat the Bengals 37-0, but I don’t buy it at all. Cedric Benson was out. Ochocinco was out the second half. And three of the Bengals’ defensive starters did not play.
New York won’t be able to rely fully on the run game as they did last week because of the probable return of defensive end Robert Geathers, defensive tackle Domata Peko, and free safety Chris Crocker, all whom are key players in the stingy Cincinnati run defense.
The one thing about the Jets that is scary is the top ranked defense. It will be interesting to see the Derrelle Revis and Chad Ochocinco match up. This defense will cause turnovers and make plays to put it in the hands of their first round pick Mark Sanchez — which leads to why New York won’t win. Sanchez is not a playoff quarterback. The Jets need to rely on him to make big plays and get the ball down the field. Not going to happen.
Cincinnati has more of a drive to win out. They came in this year at the level of the Browns and Rams, but they went undefeated if one of the toughest divisions in the NFL. They have suffered more losses than any other team this year; offensive coordinator Mike Zimmer’s wife and wide receiver Chris Henry. I am picking the Bengals hands down in this one.
My “clutch” players of the game are Cincinnati’s cornerbacks Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph. Each has six interceptions and over 65 tackles on the season. Look for them to make the plays with a rookie arm in a crunch time position.

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
I’ve got to go with Baltimore in this game all because of one player. Wes Welker. With him the Patriots could win this, but without him — no chance. Welker led the league in receptions this year with 123 catches, 40 more than Randy Moss even though Welker missed the first three games of the season. With Welker out, the Ravens will be able to focus more on double-teaming Moss. When Welker was out the first three games the Patriots struggled in a nail biter 25-24 win against the Bills and a 16-9 loss against the Jets.
However, for Baltimore to win they would need to get up early. This season the Ravens were awful at coming back from behind. When they get up early, their defense makes the plays to keep them on top. I think this up front Raven defense, led by Ray Lewis, will be able to hold the Patriots running game to under 100 total yards.
My “clutch” player of this game is Ray Rice. He has been the center of this offense for the whole year and that won’t change in the playoffs. He is fast, can find the holes in a defense, and most dangerously he can make the big plays in the receiving game.

NFC

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
This should be a very close game. Both offenses are explosive and we all know about Larry Fitzgerald’s performance in last year’s post-season. I could see this game go either way.
If Arizona were to win, defensive tackle Darnell Dockett needs to put pressure on Aaron Rogers. If the Cardinals win the turnover battle, they will win this game.
For the Packers to win, they need to heavily protect Aaron Rogers. At the beginning of the year, they did terrible at this, which caused losses. When the O-line finally figured out how to protect him, they won six of their last seven games, the loss being to the Steelers on that last second touchdown heave to rookie Mike Wallace.
Green Bay will look to their defense to shut down the forceful Arizona offense. You can expect to see Charles Woodson, possibly the NFL defensive MVP of the year, all over Larry Fitzgerald. I think Woodson can hold Fitzgerald to under four catches and no touchdowns. The Green Bay defensive line is unknown, but underrated. They can get the job done up front by stuffing the run and putting much needed pressure on Kurt Warner allowing the secondary to make plays. In this game, I am on Green Bay’s side.
My “clutch” player of the game is rookie linebacker Clay Matthews. Matthews will be a force to be reckoned with in the pass rush game.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
If I were told at the beginning of the year that Dallas would beat Philadelphia twice in the regular season, I would’ve laughed. Yet, I am now saying they will win the third matchup of the season.
The Cowboys need to be able to be consistent in the run game. Between Marion Barber III, Felix Jones, and Tashard Choice, they should be able to put up over 150 total yards, which will give them the edge. One factor about the Eagles that could break Dallas’s defense is Desean Jackson. They need to double cover him. If Terence Newman is on him by himself, Jackson will find the end zone (remember Newman vs. Marshall in week 4?). I bite my tongue as I say this, but Roy Williams needs to actually make catches this game. If he does, he will take pressure off Miles Austin and Jason Witten.
The Eagles have an awkward run game situation. Brian Westbrook is back, but it is unclear who will get the carries between him, LeSean McCoy, and Leonard Weaver. That being unanswered raises red lights on how effective they can be against this stout Dallas run defense. Defensively, the Eagles have great coverage corners and safeties; however, they are terrible at covering opposing tight ends. Jason Witten will be able to find the holes in their defense to make much needed plays in the passing game.
My “clutch” player of the game is outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware. The Eagles will not be able to contain him at all. When Ware gets to Donavan McNabb, McNabb will make mistakes and wear down (no pun intended).

One Team, One Goal

Editor-in-Chief — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 12:58:46 +0000

After a shaky start, the varsity football team looks forward to a strong season as they rely on the leadership of the seniors.
“[I’m looking forward to] a district championship and a state championship,” Coach James Garfield said. “[And] kids playing hard and doing what is right all the time.”
Rider lost many key seniors this year, including four division one athletes, due to graduation.
“It happens every year,” Garfield said. “The dynamic of every team is different, therefore, you have plans and adjustments in place before the senior class reaches their senior year.”
Garfield said the difference between this year’s team and last is team cohesiveness.
“Both teams were very close, the thing about this years group is a ‘workman’ type attitude,” Garfield said. “This is the kind of team that puts on their hard hat and brings their lunch pail.”
Garfield’s personal goals include being a leader not only to the team, but also to the school.
“I would hope that the love I have for the game would come through and the players would see it,” Garfield said. “If a player does something that may be detrimental to our team chemistry then we will handle it with some type of punishment.”
Senior Zach Apperson looks forward to playing in December.
“We are a team,” Apperson said. “It’s not just about any one player, offense, defense, or who is going where, it’s about Rider Raider football as a whole.”
As he does his job, makes plays, and tries to keep everyone’s head up, Apperson said he will contribute to the team.
“[This team relies on] unity and heart,” Apperson said. “We have already gone through a tough season so far and we have worked extremely hard for all of this, now its just time to let everything fall into place.”
Apperson said the coaching staff is very motivational and would do anything for a win.
“Leadership is extremely difficult, sometimes you may have to do or say something you don’t want to do,” Garfield said. “The team is more important than the individual.”