RHS homecoming parade kicks off day's events
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
While the Brentwood Bruins enjoy the prospect of a bye tonight, that’s not the case for the Ravenwood Raptors and Brentwood Academy Eagles. Ravenwood hosts Franklin Road Academy as its 2010 Homecoming opponent, while BA travels to Chattanooga to take on an undefeated Baylor.

At RHS, head coach Tom Shuman isn’t taking anything for granted by playing the smaller, Div. II team.

“FRA is very good football team. Anyone who knows anything about football in Middle Tennessee knows Coach (David) Pack is a great coach. He has that program on the way up. They have good players, some great players, and their schemes are well coached and well executed,” Shuman said.

The Panthers (4-2) are coming off a 31-8 win over Zion Christian last week. The Raptors (3-4) experienced a district loss to Franklin.

Shuman said his team will continue to search for a running game. “If you can’t run, you don’t win many, regardless of what else you can get done,” he said.

Last week’s score didn’t reflect the effort the Raptors put out on the field, though Shuman acknowledged his team made some “monumental” mistakes.

“We fought our way back into the game, and then it was over in about 40 seconds. We have to be ready for those situations. It has to be deflating for the kids to battle and fight, then see it blow up in your face.”

Injuries continue to hamper Ravenwood, and this week will be no different. Three more seniors will sit out this week, two with ankle sprains, and another with a concussion.

He hopes his players will be focused on the field tonight, and not the distractions that a homecoming game can bring. “It is their homecoming. They better focus, or they will be disappointed in the results. These kids need this win.”

 Next week’s bye will be much appreciated by the entire team, before it finishes the season with games against Smyrna and Independence. Shuman said all will take a couple of days off to spend time with their families. He also hopes the rest helps get few of his injured players back on the field.

On the upside, Shuman is very pleased with efforts by the JV and freshman teams, a stated goal in rebuilding RHS’ entire football program. “The JV team is 5 -2. They have lost those two in close struggles with Ensworth and Brentwood. We gave up a KO return for touchdowns in both of those games, or we win both.”

The freshman team has won all but one game of its played against public school teams. “They are a talented bunch,” Shuman said. “I hope they stay together and contribute to the varsity team for three years.

The game begins at 7:30 p.m., with the homecoming court presentation. 

Eagles on the road to face Raiders
BA lost its top spot on the AP rankings this week after its close loss to Ensworth. Tonight’ game promises to be just as tough and exciting.

Head coach Ralph Potter said his team and coaching staff have analyzed what happened last week and talked about how to avoid it in the future.

On offense, Baylor has an excellent athlete in its quarterback, Jacob Huesman, Potter said. “He is their leading rusher as well as a passer.” On defense, Baylor is “also excellent against the run.”

The Eagles will be playing without the help of linebacker Tyler Berlin, who injured his knee against Ensworth. Tyler Atkins is still out at right guard. Derek King is listed as questionable.
BA also has a bye next week, and Potter is looking forward to it. “A break from the grind is really good,” he said. The team will practice three days next week, however.

With the Div. II race to the finish so tight (Baylor 6-0; BA 6-1; MBA 6-1 and Ensworth coming on strong despite its 3-5 record), Potter said the outcome at the season’s end is “very much unpredictable.” He’s only concerned with one thing right now, however.

“We have to focus on our team and its execution.”
Kickoff time for the Eagles-Raider team is 6 p.m. Chattanooga time (EST).