River Ridge football rebuilding with eye to another playoff appearance
“9-2 is not enough,” head coach Steve Schultz bellowed to his sprinting players.
“I want 11! I want 12-0!”
The unmistakable sights and sounds of fall football practice were on display at River Ridge High School on Wednesday. The smell of freshly cut grass filled the air and brand new lines were painted on the field.
And on the Hawks’ field, Schultz expects perfection. It all started for his team one year ago.
“We broke through last season and were extremely successful with our wins and losses,” he said. “So this year, we’re looking on developing tradition and carrying on that tradition. The expectation is to go out and win every Friday night.”
That might be difficult at times this season for Schultz, who has six returning starters from a 2014 squad that went 9-2 and made the playoffs for the first time since 1998.
Maybe the biggest loss was the graduation of running back Michael Key, who was the 2A SPSL rushing leader with 1,444 yards and 23 touchdowns. Schultz said there is competition to replace him. He hopes Gustavo Diaz or Patrick Green will be capable of handling the responsibilities.
Diaz is more of a cutback runner while Green offers more power. Schultz said he might have to split the duties because he’s not sure they’re able to shoulder full-time carries.
“I like this group, but they haven’t proven themselves on a Friday night yet,” he said.
A core section of the offensive line returns, as does quarterback Kobe Key, which will help stabilize the offense. Schultz believes the line — led by all-league returner Caleb Price, plus honorable mention selections David Bowker and Kyle Kramer — is the key to success this season.
Kobe Key passed for 1,307 yards and ran for 209 more, but Schultz said the running game is still Hawks’ identity.
“Our offense is run-first,” Schultz said. “That’s our offensive philosophy. Kobe will be successful because he’s experienced and he’s competing. He’s a competitor and he knows how to win.”
Schultz also must fill in the team’s leadership gap, which he tackled in the first practice. One drill had current Hawks leaders, including captain JT Wesley, try to communicate only with body language — the purpose being to demonstrate that leadership is how players present themselves and the actions they take.
“We have to replace some really solid leadership,” Schultz said. “We got those guys (on the team); we just need to give them some tools to continue to do that.”
River Ridge’s first game is against Aberdeen High School on Sept. 3 at South Sound Stadium.
This story was originally published August 19, 2015 at 1:45 PM with the headline "River Ridge football rebuilding with eye to another playoff appearance."