crc

Congrats to Wooddale on a big win. I'm with PAPAW, never would have thought it would have come down to a blocked punt...thought it would be that loooong pass that would get us. The Ridgeway defense played awesome. Wooddale moved the ball in spurts but our D always came up with the big play. Great stand right before the half. As we have discussed numerous times on here, our inability to throw the ball was huge. Aaron ran hard but other than one run of 38 yards, Wooddale pretty much kept him in check. Ridgeway - you have a lot to be proud of...10-0 in the regular season, 3 Mr. Football Finalists, and more. The end is not how we all would have dreamed but in reality, football is a game that helps prepare you for life. You have so much in front of you. Hold your heads high and take what the game has taught you and apply it to what you do every day. Always be proud of all you have accomplished - we will. Good luck to Wooddale and White Station next week. It should be a heck of a rematch. Hopefully, one of our sister Memphis City Schools will be in the Boro that first weekend in December!

I have a friend whose daughter plays softball at BCHS. She told me the other day they are going to level the softball field to expand the campus. She said they had raised money to put lights on the field a few years ago and the softball parents are not happy at all about it. Have another friend with a son there and he said a lot of the big money boosters are pulling their kids and sending them to St. George's - maybe that's why St. George's is having such a good year in football!

KWC - I understand your being a "homer" but I hope your prediction is wrong!!! Game time is getting closer by the minute and my stomach is turning flips... GOOD LUCK RIDGEWAY...PLAY HARD AND LEAVE IT ALL ON THE FIELD!!!

and you just keep digging deeper, and deeper, and deeper.....

I think it is just proximity in location. A lot of the kids know each other and that makes it even more fun. I graduated from White Station (way back in the day) and the rivalry was intense then. At that time, there were only 3 classifications in all sports and both schools were 2A so we competed in everthing. When White Station's enrollment went up, they moved into 3A and the two schools did not play much. The rivalry kind of died down. I know Ridgeway and WS played some basketball games when RHS was 2A and WS was 3A but the football teams did not play every year. In recent years, with basketball being in the same region, the rivalry has intensified again. White Station has a great student following that shows up at games (football and basketball) and gets loud. I wish Ridgeway students would do the same.

i haven't heard from him since...he must not be too worried! i am not sure at what age they regain their senses but it won't come soon enough...one of these days he will realize i am not stupid

I saw him play against Ridgeway in week zero. I am sure he got more carries per game as the year went on but he was not easy to tackle then! I think you hit the nail on the head - your offense needs to be able to run and pass to keep Melrose honest.

Interesting points...I do know the Sheffield game was played on a Thur. night in absolutely HORRIBLE conditions - rain, cold, terrible field b/c it rained all week. Ridgeway played that same night and only beat Cordova 14-6. I think Henry County can pull off what many would consider to be an upset but they are going to have to play a disciplined game. I remember #34 and he was very hard to bring down. Melrose does have speed and athleticism but is often haunted by penalties.

Here are Aaron's stats from the regular season only: 135 carries - 1288 yards in 7 games; avg. 9.5 yards per carry; 184 yards per game 4 catches for 128 yards 16 TD's I think the stats you posted for Thomas include last weeks game (which they won 61-3). The award is supposed to be based on regular season stats. According to the Riverdale website, his regular season stats are 160-1273 yards rushing, 16-42-314yards passing; 13 rushing TD's, 6 passing TD's. Still pretty impressive!

O'Connor sounds like a good kicker from all I have seen on here. Not saying what has been said on here about him is not true, but I would really like to see some OFFICIAL stats on him rather than what was just observed at the games. If I were trying to remember how many times Josh had not kicked into the end zone this year I would not have come up with 11! But, because I am the one writing it all down and am able to go back and look at each game, 40 of 51 kickoffs for touchback's is the accurate stat! I agree with you that the lack of publicity may hurt O'Connor but I also think unless your stats are overwhelming, a lot of who wins depends on what area the sportswriters that show up to vote are from!

I would think it would hurt him. His per game and per carry averages are great but I am not sure how his total yardage compares to the other 2 finalists. Do you know anything about them?

then why aren't you paying attention?????? loser, huh? where are you getting your money from this weekend?

why are you not in class??????

Ridgeway - Wooddale is covered - got you programmed in my phone...hopefully we can keep talking 'til December!

I think they look at it all - but the vote is based on regular season and is already done so nothing he does now comes into play as far as voting. I think one of the most important things Josh does for us - other than scoring all those points - is kick the ball in the endzone on kickoffs. I would bet no one in the state is close to 40 of 51 touchback's.

Josh is also a finalist for Gatorade Player of the Year. I just had to compile his season and career stats to send to them. I know Mr. Football is based on this year but I agree with you that his past success and the fact that his name is "out there" works to his favor. I don't know anything about Jones and all I really know about O'Connor is what I have read on coachT. Sounds like he is a good one but it would be hard to find another with a resume as impressive as Josh's. 2003 - EPK - 35/35; FG - 8/16; 59 points 2004 - EPK - 24/28; FG - 7/14; 45 points 2005 - EPK - 53/57; FG - 17/21; 104 points 2006 - EPK - 31/31; FG - 10/19; 61 points (season still in progress) 2006 - 40 of 51 kickoffs have been touchbacks; Longest FG in 2006 - 53 yards; 6 of his 10 misses have been 45 or longer Shelby-Metro Record Josh currently holds: Points in a Season 104 Points in a Career 269 Most FG in a Game 4 Most FG in a Season: Reg. Season 10(tie) Reg. & Post 17 Most FG in a Career 42 Most EPK in a Season 53 State Records Most FG in a Career 42 Most FG in a Game 4 (tied for 2nd) Most FG in a Season (Reg.) 10 (tied for 2nd) Awards 2005 Mr. Football Kicker of the Year 2006 Mr. Football Kicker of the Year Finalist (winner to be announced Nov. 27) Special Teams MVP 2003, 2004, 2005 (2006 awards have not been given out yet) Carol White Kicking Camp Champion - 2004 Nationally Ranked - Ray Guy Camps - 2005 Auburn Kicking Camp Champion - 2006 Tennessee Kicking Camp Champion - 2006 MVP of LSU Kicking Camp - 2006 All State Honorable Mention - 2004 All State - 2005 Commercial Appeal Elite 24 - 2005 ESPN.com - Ranked 4th Kicking Prospect in the Nation Scout.com - Ranked 8th Kicking Prospect in the Nation Committed to LSU

This thread was started long ago but now that we know who the finalists are, we can get down to business. Here are the 3 finalists: Josh Jasper, Ridgeway Corbin Jones, Waverly Logan O'Connor, Knoxville Halls Who do you think is going to win? Of course, Jasper gets my vote because he is on my team!

I like that! As big an honor as being named a finalist for Mr. Football is, I would be willing to bet all 3 would trade it for a gold ball! While Aaron, Dasmine, and Josh are all great players, they also know this is a team sport and they wouldn't be a finalist without their teammates. Go RIDGEWAY!!!

KWC - If I am not mistaken, we need to add Adam Currie from Evangelical Christian (ECS) to your list. Congrats to all our local players who were named Mr. Football finalists!

Sorry PAPAW - but I don't think you came to check on me, either! I was a nervous wreck the entire 4th quarter. Hopefully, this week we can get out front and stay there. I don't want to see it come down to the wire with their big play capability. With Aaron healthy and the defense ready to play, I think our guys will give Wooddale more than they expect.

CONGRATS to AARON CRAWFORD DASMINE CATHEY JOSH JASPER ALL FROM RIDGEWAY HIGH SCHOOL!!!!

The Mr. Football Finalists have been posted by the TSSAA - http://tssaa.org/MrMissAwards/Football/2006/finalists.htm - CONGRATULATIONS to Aaron Crawford, Dasmine Cathey, and Josh Jasper for being named finalists for Mr. Football - all from Ridgeway High School!!!! What an awesome achievement...We are so proud of each of you! Whether you are named Mr. Football or not, it is a great honor to be a finalist. We already know how good you are; now the rest of the state knows, too! Just wondering, has any school ever had 3 finalists in the same year before?

AWESOME!!!! Glad to know it is finally out there and we can talk about. We got the call yesterday and have had to sit on it and it hasn't been easy. I don't think the kids even know yet... Whether they win or not, it is a great honor for them to be there! I wonder if one school has ever had 3 finalists before....

What is your problem??? I have enjoyed reading most of your posts but this one crosses the line. You support your team, others support theirs. The dollar signs don't really eliminate the profanity from your post.... I think coacht just posted a thread about profanity on the message boards; maybe you should go read it.

Nor is Wooddale being overlooked by Ridgeway. Both RHS and WSHS will have to take care of business this week. Let's wait 'til next week to talk about this game... Good luck!