Blogger's note: This is the first in a short series based on Observer-Reporter sports writer Mike Kovak's stops at high school training camps.
Ringgold finished 6-4 in 2008 – its best record since 2000. Gone from that team is every starter but one (Billy Marnich) and coach Jeff Petrucci, who retired.
The Rams want to build on last year's success under first-year head coach Lloyd Price, a former three-sport standout at Ringgold and the school's athletic director. Price was a starting linebacker at Cal U and he'll be bringing some of the Vulcans coach John Luckhardt's philosophies with him.
Is Ringgold rebuilding or reloading?
"I think this is a bit of a rebuilding project," Price said before Ringgold embarked for a week-long camp at California University.
Finding another WPIAL coach with as few returning starters and lettermen as Price and Ringgold would be difficult. Still, the Rams believe the season won't be a wash despite being selected to finish six in the Class AAA Big Seven Conference in a preseason coaches poll.
Ringgold plans to rely on a large number of receivers and its overall speed. The Rams might be the smallest team in the conference but they want to create matchup problems on the football field.
"We're molding our team based on personnel," Price said. "We're not going to be a staff that has a set system and that's it."
Price believes potential breakout players could be defensive lineman Julius Coleman, receiver/defensive back Derrick Fiore and center Neal Rands, among others.
15 comments:
How about a where are they now on Russ Moore?
Russ was quite the character and a great interview. Last I heard, he was an assistant at W&J. I know he's no longer there.
Mike,
I appreciate the coverage (definitely the best in the area) but why are we devoting print space to that liar Steve Bucci? He is sort of in the coverage area (Bethel Park) but that shouldn't qualify him for any Wash Co coverage unless he is playing one of the teams. Isn't it obvious by now that his interviews are 100% fabrications of the truth? If he resigned because of family issues, why does he insist on insulting the C-M athletic department to many people in the community? In the future, please leave disreputable people where they belong-- in the background.
I still cannot understand Bucci's logic for resigning from Canon-Mac in the first place. He was quoted as saying it was for family reasons and to spend time with his baby. Now I've heard he has another baby on the way in the near future and he jumps into the Bethel Park job? If one baby was a problem, how is two not an even larger problem? It's not like they cancel each other out. That alone destroys the man's credibility. It will be cool to see Canon-Mac sweep Bucci this year.
Peters will beat Ringold by 40 this year. Right it down!
Peters will most likely beat Ringgold, but I bet you that they will not be able to match Ringgold's speed. It will not be a blowout. Peters was terrible last year and I just do not see a large improvement in 1 year.
Not able to match ringgolds speed? Are you kidding me
Here is a question for all you PT people (or just the one deranged PT poster). Please give me proof, factual evidence that PT has improved that much since their 2-7 campaign last season. And please stay away from "ehrenburg is awesome" or "we have great speed". Please give some insightful, detailed analysis.
Anon nobody said that PT had great speed the post above yours was meant to ask how PT could not keep up with Ringgold. I'm sure peters has kids fast enough for ringgold.
I will laugh so hard if Ringgold beats Peters.
I am shocked that Price manned up and actually recognized Coleman, Rands, and Fiore...
anon @ 10:43 please read other threads...thats all i've been hearing about is this great PT speed...
Ringgold has no chance against PT. Thats all there is to it. I think personally Rodino was one of their best players and he is no longer with the team. The team is basically Fiore And Rands. And Rands is at center? Alright Lloyd!
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