wossa
08-13-03, 10:07 PM
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=9943724&BRD=1332&PAG=461&dept_id=414365&rfi=8
I know you boys want to read up all you can on the best 3A ream in the state. I'm more than happy to oblige. ;)
edit - well I guess the link won't work unless you register so it's cut and paste time
Baker, Ragsdale primed for run at state crown
By: Jeff Sikes , STAFF SPORTS WRITER 08/03/2003
Many football coaches assert that a winning tradition is worth a couple of points on the scoreboard before a game even begins.
At Ragsdale, a team stocked with as many athletes as a grocery store has milk, the Tigers don't need the extra advantage that tradition gives them, but they have it anyway.
"I think you win a few games every year just based on what you've done before," said coach Tommy Norwood, who is 57-8 in his five seasons at Ragsdale.
"When you get into a tight game in the fourth quarter, some teams play expecting to win, while others are out there hoping to win. Hoping can lead to mistakes. Here at Ragsdale, we don't ever hope to win, we always expect to win."
The Tigers should have a couple of good reasons to expect victory this season. Coming off an 11-1 campaign, in which they completed their second consecutive 7-0 run through the Tri-County Conference, Ragsdale ran roughshod over its foes. The Tigers tasted defeat just once in 2002, falling in the second round of the 3A playoffs to Mooresville.
Fourteen lettermen return for Ragsdale, including six starters on offense and five on defense.
Tough running back and touchdown maker Toney Baker returns for his junior season. The 5-10, 218-pound breakaway back is one of the state's most effective players running the football. In 12 games in 2002, Baker rushed for 2,007 yards. More impressive was that he posted that gaudy total on just 185 carries, 32 of which went for touchdowns.
"(Toney's) probably one of the best players in the state, if not the whole country," said Norwood. "He should be right around those numbers again this year with the offensive line we've got."
Though Ragsdale will be breaking in a new quarterback, senior Justin Caudle (who moves from defensive line), the Tigers are beefy up front, and that should make both Baker and Caudle's jobs easier.
Senior Jon Terry will anchor a starting offensive line that should provide more than adequate protection for Caudle and spacious running lanes for Baker to scoot through. The six-foot-three, 314-pound Terry has already committed to Duke.
"We've got Toney and a lot of good returning offensive lineman, so we're pretty stacked on offense," said Caudle. "I think that's one of the best things about Ragsdale. There's a lot of talent and tradition here, and we've always got players willing to step up and take charge."
That should also be the case on defense, as the Tigers return senior defensive lineman and Wake Forest signee Brandon Drumgoole. Coupled with linebacker Zack Talbert, the team's leading tackler with 79, and Ragsdale appears set to make its traditional deep run into the playoffs.
"I think it was a big surprise last year (to lose in the second round), and it's hard to say what happened in that playoff game," said Terry. "That's not going to happen this year. I think we're going to surprise some people. We may have some new faces, but I think we have a chance to go all the way."
Jeff Sikes can be contacted
at 888-3526 or jsikes@hpe.com
İHigh Point Enterprise 2003
I know you boys want to read up all you can on the best 3A ream in the state. I'm more than happy to oblige. ;)
edit - well I guess the link won't work unless you register so it's cut and paste time
Baker, Ragsdale primed for run at state crown
By: Jeff Sikes , STAFF SPORTS WRITER 08/03/2003
Many football coaches assert that a winning tradition is worth a couple of points on the scoreboard before a game even begins.
At Ragsdale, a team stocked with as many athletes as a grocery store has milk, the Tigers don't need the extra advantage that tradition gives them, but they have it anyway.
"I think you win a few games every year just based on what you've done before," said coach Tommy Norwood, who is 57-8 in his five seasons at Ragsdale.
"When you get into a tight game in the fourth quarter, some teams play expecting to win, while others are out there hoping to win. Hoping can lead to mistakes. Here at Ragsdale, we don't ever hope to win, we always expect to win."
The Tigers should have a couple of good reasons to expect victory this season. Coming off an 11-1 campaign, in which they completed their second consecutive 7-0 run through the Tri-County Conference, Ragsdale ran roughshod over its foes. The Tigers tasted defeat just once in 2002, falling in the second round of the 3A playoffs to Mooresville.
Fourteen lettermen return for Ragsdale, including six starters on offense and five on defense.
Tough running back and touchdown maker Toney Baker returns for his junior season. The 5-10, 218-pound breakaway back is one of the state's most effective players running the football. In 12 games in 2002, Baker rushed for 2,007 yards. More impressive was that he posted that gaudy total on just 185 carries, 32 of which went for touchdowns.
"(Toney's) probably one of the best players in the state, if not the whole country," said Norwood. "He should be right around those numbers again this year with the offensive line we've got."
Though Ragsdale will be breaking in a new quarterback, senior Justin Caudle (who moves from defensive line), the Tigers are beefy up front, and that should make both Baker and Caudle's jobs easier.
Senior Jon Terry will anchor a starting offensive line that should provide more than adequate protection for Caudle and spacious running lanes for Baker to scoot through. The six-foot-three, 314-pound Terry has already committed to Duke.
"We've got Toney and a lot of good returning offensive lineman, so we're pretty stacked on offense," said Caudle. "I think that's one of the best things about Ragsdale. There's a lot of talent and tradition here, and we've always got players willing to step up and take charge."
That should also be the case on defense, as the Tigers return senior defensive lineman and Wake Forest signee Brandon Drumgoole. Coupled with linebacker Zack Talbert, the team's leading tackler with 79, and Ragsdale appears set to make its traditional deep run into the playoffs.
"I think it was a big surprise last year (to lose in the second round), and it's hard to say what happened in that playoff game," said Terry. "That's not going to happen this year. I think we're going to surprise some people. We may have some new faces, but I think we have a chance to go all the way."
Jeff Sikes can be contacted
at 888-3526 or jsikes@hpe.com
İHigh Point Enterprise 2003