There’s nothing like taking a step back so you can get ready to take 10 steps forward.

With a stable of skill players who experienced some growing pains last season, Ravenwood High’s football team is ready to rekindle some of the fire that has given the Raptors the reputation as being one of Middle Tennessee’s top football programs.

“I like it when we go 6-4, lose in the first round of the playoffs, and people say that’s a bad year,” first-year head coach Tom Shuman said. “I think it’s good to have high expectations.”

From humble beginnings in 2002 to state champions in 2005, excellence has always been at the top of the priority list at Ravenwood. If Shuman has anything to say, that will continue with the 2009 team.

On offense, the Raptors return quarterback Alex Williams, a senior, who started for the first time last fall and has developed into a solid all-around threat under center, Shuman said.

“He’s a good football player who consistently makes plays,” he said.

Behind Williams in the offensive backfield will be senior Tony Rowland, a three-year starter who has had injury problems but looks in top form already this fall. Also carrying the ball will be fellow senior Nolan Ricke, along with junior Tanner Withrow.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, a senior, and Drew Hawken, a junior, will make the plays down the field as wide receivers, with Fitzpatrick returning as the leading pass catcher from a year ago. Hawken lines up at tight end most of the time but has the speed to get down the field.

The offensive line features one full-time and one part-time returning starter, in senior center Mike Schmitz and senior guard Carson Birdsong. James Cotton, a junior, and senior Ben Stansfield will fill in at guard and tackle, respectively.

On defense, the Raptors have just three returning starters but a lot of young talent that’s coming along quickly, Shuman said. Up front will be seniors Matt Jordan and John Woodard at the defensive end spots, while Erik Schall, a senior, and junior Ronnie Wright will be at defensive tackle.

The plan is to rotate as many linemen as possible, especially since Ravenwood has a stable of defensive linemen that just need experience.

Anchoring the middle of the defense will be senior middle linebacker Theo Egbujor, while senior Matt Kundert will be at one of the outside spots. Both started last fall. Ben Brock, a sophomore, or James Coe, a junior, will fill in the other OLB position.

The secondary will feature three juniors, Shuman said. Andrew Cash and Clay Forney will man the two cornerback spots, while Brian Bednar returns as a starter at safety from last season.

Matt Freeman and Marshall Keenen, both seniors, will handle placekicking and punt duties respectively, with Keenen also serving as kickoff specialist.

“I like our attitude and our talent at the skill positions,” Shuman said of the team overall. “I don’t know how tough we’re going to be yet. Our offensive line has to man up if we want to do well.”

 

The girls’ soccer program at Ravenwood returns seven starters off a team that finished unbeaten in district play last fall and was just one point behind Brentwood in the final regular season standings.

The regular season kicked off Tuesday with a match against Christ Presbyterian Academy. Today (Aug. 27) they host Brentwood Academy.

Senior Kerrie Knox returns as the team captain and will direct traffic in the midfield for the Lady Raptors. Alongside her will be fellow senior Miranda Pope to anchor the center of the Ravenwood attack.

Senior Sam Schultz will be key in the defensive backfield, along with junior Sarah Jenner, Coach Clay Watson said. Senior Sarah Brown, a transfer from Texas, will provide additional support on defense.

Knox will give the Lady Raptors some offensive spark from her midfield spot, while Christi Padgett, a sophomore, and junior Jordan Casady will work the front of the attack at forward.

“Past the seven starters, we only return two other people who have ever played in a varsity game before,” Watson said. “So the lack of experience is something we will have to overcome, but we have a great group of kids.”

 

Tracey Berry has won state championships in two different states and helped start successful club programs around Middle Tennessee. Now she brings her expertise to the bench at Ravenwood.

She has a stable of good talent, and the Lady Raptors’ varsity squad is heavy with sophomores and juniors. The four seniors on the roster are Callie Christopherson, Jaclyn Francescon, Allison Hargis and Meredith Richardson.

The Lady Raptors’ regular season opens today (Aug. 27) with home matches against Franklin and Independence. This weekend they play in the White County Tournament in White County.

Christopherson and Francescon are defensive specialists. Hargis is an outside hitter and Richardson is a 6-4 middle hitter who has committed to play volleyball at North Carolina State, Berry said.

“We’re looking for Meredith to be a strong blocker and add to our offense,” she said.

The junior class has seen a lot of playing time. Six-five middle hitter Madelyn Hutson has started since her freshman year. Berry said Hutson also might move to the outside some to help expand her skill set. Jamie Cooper, Sarah Sutherland, Lydia Wright and Allie Hotzfeld round out the junior class. She described Cooper as a good all-around player, Sutherland as a defensive specialist, Wright as a talented setter and has Hotzfeld providing depth at middle blocker.

Sophomore Alyssa Ivey was the Lady Raptors’ setter last season and returns this fall, while fellow sophomores Jazzy Oats, Michaela Bailey and Stephanie Cerino will all see playing time. Bailey is a solid defensive specialist, Oats provides more depth in the middle and Cerino is an outside hitter.

“Most of these girls play club, but we did well at the Brentwood team camp despite not having a lot of time together,” Berry said. “I think we’ve made a lot of progress so far.

“I think we have a lot of really good talent coming back.”

 

As a team, the Ravenwood girls’ cross country team finished seventh at the state meet in 2008 and is looking to meet or exceed that goal this year under Coach Pete Mueller.

The girls season kicks off with the Sept. 5 Brooks Memphis Twilight Cross Country Classic hosted by Christian Brothers University. It’s followed by the District 11-AAA meet at Vaughan’s Creek.

Erika Peoples, a sophomore, returns after finishing 16th at the state meet last fall and earning a ton of postseason honors. Joining her is junior Allie Arnette, seniors Rachel Traczewski and Mary Kate Collins and sophomore Rachel Spinden.

New runners this fall are freshmen Eleanor Leffler and Rue Reynolds, along with junior Anna McGuinness. A summer’s worth of training and running should pay off with a great season, Mueller said.

On the boys’ side, the Raptors were a senior-heavy group at the state meet but return several runners who made contributions last fall. Sophomore Daniel Lowe finished well at the state meet, while junior Wyatt Parker and senior Kevin Bolt also qualified for state a year ago.

The boys season begins Sept. 9 with the District 11-AAA meet.

 

 

Last year was a first for the two Ravenwood golf programs, in that both were able to qualify for the team competition at the state golf tournament.

Four of the five boys’ starters from last year return this fall, including top scorer Elliott Shin, a senior. Four juniors join him to make up the core group: Brendon Caballero, Paul Kline-Kracht, Chris Sherry and Nick Vellanti.

“Four of those five were at the state tournament last year, so I hope I know what to expect out of them,” Ravenwood boys’ and girls’ coach Dan Hollandsworth said. “If I had to bet on a team, I’m really happy with what I’ve got.”

The girls’ team returns three players who went to the state tourney. They are juniors Taylor Manning and Natalie Turk, along with sophomore Katie Parrott. Adding some depth will be seniors Emily Tate and Katie Coleman, along with some younger players who could play into the mix, Hollandsworth said.

“The summertime has been invaluable for these girls,” he said. “Taylor won the Tennessee state junior amateur event this year, so I’m really proud of all the girls.”