ibleedcardinal

We lose quite a few, but still have many left behind for next year. Obviously, in the area of backs, we lose seniors Tamar Butler, Gaston Miller, and Kit Hartsfield. All very strong in the RHS football program. Also big stars for Riverdale are kicker Shayne Rollins, Phillip Stevenson, Antwone Smith, and many on our offensive line . . . Skidmore, Blake, McClusky, Brookshire. However, Riverdale will bounce back. They always do. After winning the gold ball in 2001, we were supposed to be "in a rebuilding year." And although we lost to Brentwood at MTSU, a lot teams across the state had turned in their football gear many weeks before. Consistency is the Warriors single biggest thing they need to be proud of. 2P mentioned Oakland's 1998 trip to the state championship but where have they been since then? Rankin has done an outstanding job with consistency in his program. I'd like to think that - with or without him - he has done a work with his coaches to continue that consistency. He doesn't coach the team by himself. There's a small army of football coaches at Riverdale that go beyond the traditional role of assistant coaches. Rankin has prepared them all . . whether it's for a head coaching position at another school, another state, or within the same program. Someone will step up and continue to drive the boys that wear cardinal and gold. Riverdale reloads every year. It may not always lead to a golden ball but nonethless, the Warrior football program is as successful as anyone in the state of Tennessee has every been. And it's been one heck of a ride for over a decade!

Whatever it takes, a "W" is about all we need. I don't expect anything less than a blowout, but when push comes to shove, a check in the win column is what we need. I won't forget the loss to LC at our house in 2003. Our first loss at Tomahawk Stadium. It was horrible! But you know what they say about paybacks! It was pure joy to get them in the Pit. We want none of that this year. Just a great win. Let's just get the Falcons. And NEVER overlook the next team on our list. LaVergne looks good this year. Just keep it rolling, Warriors. KEEP IT ROLLING!

OUCH!

Polls and stats. And it doesn't hurt that Blackman is our biggest rivalry.

So tell me, ever eaten crow?

Gotta agree with you here. Let's look to Blackman, although I don't think they need much of a look. We'll take that one.

Riverdale right now has 6 new kids from the storm who have enrolled. I was speaking last night at the freshmen game to a Riverdale teacher who said that she spoke with someone from the school board. He said that Murfreesboro "thinks they're overwhelmed with students right now, but we don't know anything yet. Expect more students from the area into the 'boro within the next couple of weeks." Our schools will be overflowing with Katrina's young victims. Maybe this disaster will bring some perspective - not just to our adult population - but to our kids. We need to all feel blessed right now that we even have clean water. As far as athletes, I can imagine that's about the farthest thing from most of their minds. Who knows, though? It may be something to take this disaster off their minds. Pray for these people. Send money. Give your time. It's all needed.

That WK game was about the most physical football game I've seen the Warriors play in a while. I know the score may have made it look otherwise, but it was, for sure, smash mouth football. Both teams were extremely physical. The WK were big guys who had the opportunity to do some damage to ours guys. I think everyone will be good to go tonight, but I agree with Riverdaleman, it's good to be playing Blackman. The guys should get plenty of rest. Lincoln County should be more of a challenge next week. By the way, the RHS freshmen kept our Blackman winning streak going last night with a score of 28-14. They made of few mistakes, but the outcome was still the same. Good luck to our guys tonight. PUT OUT THE BLAZE!

No way, this one belongs to the Warriors. There would have to be some HUGE improvements over last year. No doubt, there are improvements, but my bet is on Riverdale. And yes, the WC game is at WC. We play the final Friday night of September - whatever that date is.

I am no big fan of basketball, but after the Siegel loss to Riverdale (at our place), the Siegel players themselves talked about the difference the Riverdale fans had on their loss. Make no mistake, Siegel's talent was far greater than Riverdale's talent. However, we took the wind (how, I still don't know) out of Siegel Nation (which by the way, is the most amazing group of fans I have ever seen). I think the "we's" at the game were the difference makers. 82Cat can feel whatever he wants to feel. But high school football, in particular, is a sport that requires all roles to be played. I don't put on a pair of cleats, but I cheer faithfully for the red and gold every week. I feel it's my victory, too. And I haven't met a Warrior who would want to take that away from me or any faithful fan.

Yes, there are those kids who aren't as "blessed" as others academically. I will always agree with that. If you know that going into a year, then you better have the determination to work harder in the classroom. I don't buy the "I'm just not that smart" crap. Sometimes it's whether or not you want to do well. If you know you're not as smart as the average guy, then bust it to do better. Works the same way on the football field. That's why some average players see action. They work hard at practice to earn it. They may not have the talent of a Butler or Miller but hard work pays off for the average guy, too. Football is a life lesson. It represents the entire population. Some people have more talent than others. Some people have less talent. Most of us are simply average. That's the way it is in the classroom. That's the way it is in life. Football can teach life long lessons. How bad do you want that diploma? How bad do you want that 23 ACT score? How bad do you want that championship ring? Bottom line is that alot of parents simply don't follow their kids' grades. If you stay on their butt throughout the entire 4 years of high school, success is possible. And that's what is the payoff during your collegiate years . . . whether it's on the football field or in the classroom. I've heard so many people ask "Why does Gaston want to play for Vanderbilt?" Gets to play in the SEC. And gets a terrific education for free from an incredible school. WOW! Fact of the matter is I know very few professional football players. Gaston has that one figured out. And in the classroom, he works like he does on the football field. An average-sized kid who will leave you in his dust. I expect great things from him this senior year, his 4 years at Vanderbilt, and life, in general. But Gaston is not willing to settle for the minimum.

Eugene is #99. Big kid, already, and only a junior. Plays on the D line. Expect great things from him. As far as the grades are concerned, I am in total agreement with you there. But I must admit that I think the "holding their feet in the fire" argument is a parental issue. Rankin, Ferguson, Watson . . . whoever . . . their job is to get the kids eligible. Sad as it sounds, that's the way football works. But my my kid wouldn't be playing football with minimal grades. As a parent, it's your responsibility to set standards. That's the way it should be in any of our county's high schools. However, a lot of parents just don't work that way. Minimal is fine with them. And then they're SHOCKED their son can't play collegiate football.

Isn't it amazing what football fans (or fanatics) will argue over. I am glad someone agrees on the whole "we" thing with me. I am far too old to be lacing up a pair of cleats. Been there. Done that. Not interested in it any more. However, I am interested in the heart and soul of Riverdale football. The football program at any high school, college, or even in the professional leagues is centered around their following. No, we don't claim to call plays, act on them, or feel the pain the players feel. However, we are thrilled with the team's wins and heartbroken with their losses. It took me weeks to get over the 1999 loss to Dickson County in the first round. WE all felt it. With no fans and the atmosphere they bring into the stadium, a football game is not the same. Ever seen a player run the field trying to get his "we's" up? What an amazing thing to see the key role the fans play in the game.

I think the most amazing thing about the Riverdale football program is that we don't create many D1 players, or for that matter, collegiate football players. The program has been amazingly consistent while, at the same time, not creating an overwhelming number of collegiate players. It speaks volumes for Rankin, his staff, and the entire program. I am certainly not saying that some of these guys can't go D1, but it's unlikely. Eugene Gory looks D1 to me. All right, now your opinions . . .

The bottom line is this . . . like it or not. The system stands the way it is because it's fair. You can blab all you want (or whine is more like it) but the system is set up this way because it is right. When a school can hand pick quality because it offers aid to its players it is unfair to play a school - even with the quantity Riverdale has. If you want you kids going to school in the privates, play the privates. As for schools who choose to play them in their non region games, more power to them. But that's not the choice Riverdale has made.

I can't say much. I don't know what to expect from WKHS. I do know, however, they've displayed quite a bit of hospitality. I think the kids from RHS are going to be very welcomed. I just want them to come home with a W! This is a chance of a lifetime for this group of young men. How many teams do you know that get to take their show on the road (and out of state) to represent their school and their community. All rivalries aside . . . I think the 'boro will be shine well in Ohio. And then, they'll be here to accept some southern hospitality next year. ROLL WARRIORS ROLL !

There is no shame in crying for something that is your passion. More power to your tears because they come with a purpose. This might be the best reply I have seen on coacht. Good luck this coming basketball season!

For those of you who "know" your basketball, the district tournament is before the regional tournament. You have to be in the top 4 of the district in order to go onto the region. Now, please get on with football. There are WHOLE separate boards for the round ball sports.

We know we're anything but "above losing." I will never forget the feeling of that first playoff game in 1999 when Dickson County came in and got us. It affected us for weeks because we hate losing. Or when Lincoln County came in to Tomahawk Stadium in 2003 and got us for the first time at home. It was horrible. Losing . . . no we're not above it. We just really dislike it. I do agree every loss should hurt - no matter who you are, But, if it happens over and over and over and over, you begin to become numb to it. Losing is never any fun. It's why you play. . . like it or not. That's why they pay thousands of dollars for score boards. So when you're accustomed to winning . . . losing stinks. It doesn't stink for one team any more than another, it's just something you have to deal with because it's been stuck in your face when it's just not usually there. And remember, we're on a football board. I am talking Riverdale football. Not basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, etc. We are talking football. Riverdale has our share of losses in other sports. We just happen to be a football powerhouse who doesn't get the taste of losing too often. We're not above it. PERIOD!

Well HH . . . I was on the field right next to Nolan when the helicopter came. So, I kinda do know what he told us to do. I try to respect authority, kid! If he told your student body to come down after the helicopter, then that's great. I was just following instructions from what looked like a rather stressed out Kenny Nolan. And though it may not have come out right . . . the needle comparison was pretty good. She's exactly right. Talk to that same student body, the Nation, your cheerleaders. They came into the game Friday night with the expectation of losing to Riverdale. They've come to expect it. Although it's no fun whatsoever, it just doesn't hurt as badly when it happens over and over. However, for Warrior football, when it happens the feeling is fairly new. So it stings a little more. Trust me . . we do feel that, too. I didn't see too many Warriors walking away crying from a loss to Siegel on the basketball court. But I am sure (although i was not there), there were many tears when Siegel lost on their possible state basketball championship at MTSU. We took it in stride when we couldn't get passed the regions because we've come to expect it at Riverdale. That's just the way it goes. So . . . sloppy as it was . . . the needle "thing" was a pretty good point. And don't be ignorant, when a girl has a love for football, let her express her opinions. Besides, you should know from the internet crap, you can't assume you're talking to anyone in particular. I could be a 75 year old psycho who gets my kicks from talking to football-crazed men. Never know!

Man, I wouldn't be asking someone to watch their spelling before you double check your own spelling and grammar. It's "knew" not "new." It's "butts kicked" not butt's kicked." It's "sets of downs" not "set of downs." Need an English class? As far as character and poor sportsmanship, I was personally a witness to some of the Siegel cheerleaders and football players not even offering a hand shake after the game. Deal with the fact that you lost (you really ought to be used to it)stink it up, and offer at least an uncaring handshake to the team that just got you on your first game. Sorry, that's my Riverdale unsportmanslike conduct coming out. At Riverdale, winning is not everything. We use games like last night's game to practice for the more difficult ones. Winning is not so hard around our place. So, we shoot for higher goals . . . like shut outs. But if you listened to the Riverdale side about 3rd quarter, we erupted! That was this classless, lack of character, tasteless group of fans cheering on Siegel for getting their first 1st down of the game. We weren't broken hearted that you scored. We were just shooting for a common defensive goal . . . to shut out the opponent. Siegel would do the same thing. Give it 20 years. Maybe you guys will experience it. And last time I checked "sore losers" don't win!

No joke here. Just stating the facts. First of all, the student body from Riverdale were asked NOT to come onto the field because of the helicopter. Secondly, the student body from Siegel were asked to do the same thing and you see . . . some student bodies try to follow the rules of the adults that ask them. Secondly, I think that "Siegel Nation" is simply the greatest pep section I have ever seen. They amazed everyone during basketball season . . . first, by their shear numbers and then by their sychronized cheers. I want to clear up that I wasn't trying to bring down your pep section only that on the first home game of the stadium, they should have been there until the game was finished. PERIOD! As far as our student body fans . . . they are a lot like any high school's. They're socializing teenagers. Get over that! So, am I still an idiot? If so, at least I am an idiot for the winning team.

Have your 3 because our 50 came with a W. There is no doubt that the 4th quarter went on longer than it should have. I began timing as soon as I realized that the clock was "out." It did - bottom line - go on longer than a game 12 minutes. Let them have their field goal. Who cares? What happened to that grand "Siegel Nation?" Didn't look very much like a faithful nation by the 3rd quarter. Maybe they need to just pack it up until a round ball is bounced on a hardwood floor and a little slap is considered a foul. Siegel doesn't need any fair weather fans . . . especially during football season.

Okay, let's give honest. Dave Thomas was a huge trash talker on the football field. As a fan in the stands, it was obvious. But then I don't know too many football games where trash talk by the football players does't happen. No matter what team you're supporting, no one can say that a sideline doesn't take its mouths onto the field. That's just part of football. Dave received a few cheap shots in his day, but then what quarterback hasn't? I don't, however, feel the coaching staff at Riverdale schedules its practices with a trash talk or cheap hit seminar. They're too busy filling their practice time with plays that seem to work real well. No one is beyond a mistake but the staff at Riverdale are some fairly good guys with decent or better standards doing their jobs to improve high school football. Riverdale just gets a "cheap shot" or two because of their success. Whatever they're doing, they're doing it right. Just take a look at the numbers of young men who want to play for these guys.