RV FOOTBALL 2008

[sandman]

Since no one else is going to say it, I will. Congratulations to the 2008 RV football team on your improved performance. While a 3-7 season and the teams first OVC win in several years may not impress most of the readers on this forum, to the RV faithful it represents a 200% improvement over recent history and something to look forward to. I have read all of the negative posts regarding the defense, the offense and just about every aspect of the team. As they say, Rome was not built in a day. I feel certain that Coach McClelland is reviewing his options and is laying the groundwork for next year's program as you read this post.

The weight program has withstood much criticism. We need to remember that it has been operated by volunteer staff without a great deal of knowledge in football-specific lifting. Several of the more faithful lifters have shown tremendous improvement on the field, both this year and last, in spite of what may have been a less-than-perfect system. Most of the all-conference and all-district selections from these teams are there because of their dedication to the wieght program. They worked hard, pushed their teammates and led the team both on and off of the field.

Although many, including myself, have been skeptical about the program, you cannot argue with what were very measurable steps forward. Is it the program where it needs to be? Not yet, but if the student body will cooperate and come out for the team, I think that we will continue to see improvement.

Again, congratulations to the players, the school, Coach McClelland and his staff.

[tealc]

Indeed.

[RVRaiderFan]

I couldn't have said it better myself sandman!!

GO RAIDERS!!!!

[boogerred]

Doesn't South Gallia get a supplemental contract for a weight-room supervisor? Shouldn't RV get the same? Certainly there are people out there that are knowledgeable about football-specific weight training and willing to help out.

[MarshallApplewhite]

Or is it a shortcoming of the staff not becoming familiar with lifting for football?

BOHICA baby!

[Raiderball]

I can't speak for Sandman but he MIGHT be talking about last year when there was no head coach from November until the end of May. That is just an assumption on my part... and yes, I know one should never assume.

[sandman]

There were no hidden messages or innuendo in my post. Simply congratulating and thanking the players, the staff (both paid and volunteer) and the school for making a step forward against the odds.

[wildthingRV]

I'm not sure that I agree that the weightroom staff is unqualified. These guys do know their stuff. Perhaps there are greater football minded people available, but these guys certainly aren't drooling simps we found on the street. They know weights, they know kids, and they know football. The idea that there was a lack of leadership last off season is absurd. Those kids had people working with them. Maybe they didn't have the title of "Head Coach", but the kids respected these guys, worked for them, and saw results. The kids who didn't show up didn't see those results. I think we will see more kids in the weight room this off season.

RV made great strides this year. If they can continue with that, then great. Keep it up. Baseball and track and field, especially track and field, can help a lot of these athletes in the off season, and we are seeing a few more of them show some interest.

There are no sudden significant changes. RV is attempting to change it's entire athletic culture. It takes time, but I assure you there are people in place who have committed to it. Let's just give them a chance to get it done.

[theassassin]

how does baseball help?

since the first year of river valley there have been many knowlegible, committed coaches in place just as there are now. for rv to "change its entire athletic culture" as you say, there are some big changes that need to take place. current coaches will find out soon enough just as those before them that have come and gone.

i shake my head in disbelief at some things i have heard at rv......... fb lockerroom with no restroom faclities, basktball teams not able to hvae practice due to sleepovers and copabana.... i wonder if thsis things happen at ga, meigs, belpre, fairland, peake, ironton, oak hill or burg?

[wildthingRV]

how does baseball help?

Keeps 'em off the couch. They DO work out, lift, etc. I believe that I said track and field was better for football.

i shake my head in disbelief at some things i have heard at rv......... fb lockerroom with no restroom faclities

Untrue. Simply untrue. They are filthy and nasty, but quite present.

As for the other stuff . . . well, yeah. I can't speak for that except to say that it's happening less than it used to.

I'm not saying we've reinvented ourselves, but there is progress being made. Slowly. THERE ARE NO SUDDEN SIGNIFICANT CHANGES.

[MTSWNGRVSG]

Good luck to the Raiders and the Coaching Staff!

[madpolecat]

assassin:

Coaches have had to fight the Copacabana Culture in that building since back when it was Kyger Creek. I believe that one of my high school coaches used to refer to it as the "Copa-ca-dopa."



I agree with the wildthing that getting the kids off the coach in the off-season only helps the other sports they play. It would be nice to see more FB players involved with track and field, though.

[boogerred]

When I was at RV, Coach Triplett expected his football players to either run track (which he also coached) or play baseball.

I think it is a good thing when the head football coach also coaches a spring sport; that enables the coach to keep an eye on his players and also make sure they are doing the plyos and weightlifting for football while doing track or baseball.

[wildthingRV]

Edzachary, Boogered. Edzachary.

We probably would have more footballers but for the fact that the former football and former track and field coach . . . um . . . I guess we could say . . . ah . . . broke charity with each other.

I don't see that being even remotely a problem anymore. Yet another step in a positive direction. Hopefully some of the football kids see track and field as an opportunity for improvement of skills and speed and come out. It remains to be seen.

[madpolecat]

broke charity with each other.

..what an interesting way to put that, Mr. Wildthing. Very charitable of you to put it into those terms.

[Raiderball]

I like to see kids involved in other sports. Like someone else said, gets them off the couch and also off the street. If they are involved in a sport they are competing. Coaches have to work together and encourage athletes to participate in other sports.

As for the football lockerroom facilities... at one time the current lockerroom was divided and both teams dressed there. The River Valley kids dressed in an area that did not have a running water. No shower. No restroom.

The other stuff... Haven't they already been bumped from the gym twice? But hey, I've been there done that.

I am pulling for Coach McClelland and staff to build on this season. I hope to see Coach Stout improve on the .500 basketball seasons of the past few years and take them to the next level. Like was said before there are good people and good coaches in place. Hopefully they get the support needed to get the job done.

[Raiderball]

Hey Karl, I was flipping through the channels sometime over the weekend and came across a Rod Stewart video... "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy". After the video they were talking about his ability to sing various styles. Apparently Rod is thinking about and in talks to possibly do a country album that will be released next summer.
I like Rod Stewart but I have a difficult time picturing him doing country.