This does not bode well for the near future. Guess we can only hope that our kids hit the weightroom and put their minds to it that enough's enough. It's gonna take a total TEAM effort to turn it around and it must start NOW! I've seen some of the kids working their a$$'s off in the weightroom and I hope the majority commits themselves this summer. Brown and Zook are leading the charge as I've seen it.

To clarify my last post...I don't mean to imply that some kids aren't hitting the weights because I realize many of them play a winter sport and are busy with that...kinda why I mentioned comitting in the summer months.

sanitizer;1325987 wrote:And I also find the internet, anonymity and keyboards can lend themselves to comments none of use would make in person, we may make the same point but without the "colorful" verbiage and connotation.

Tim Snyder, Class of 1995. That's who I am...no anonymity needed here.

I'll stand by my words every day of the week. I'll tell the same thing to someone's face as I will on here...no need for colorful verbiage or anything else. I say what I think while doing my best to respect the subject matter and the poster, agree or disagree. It's the same way I'd approach someone at a game on Friday night. Comfort lies in the truth and being real. Doesn't mean my words mean more than anyone else's...but I sure won't go hiding from my words.

RRN,
Everyone was feeling good after week 1, it was a win and we made some big plays, felt like we could "reload" on the fly and sneak into the playoffs...everyone felt the exact opposite after the next week and it went downhill big time from there. I apologize for looking for the positive after hearing all pre-season experts telling us how bad we'd be.

The experts were right...but that doesn't mean you're going to get me (and a lot of others) to regret being supportive..not for one second.

Wizard,
Welcome...nice first post. Even handed, but like All-Ohio said...hindsight is always 20/20. Not sure I'd call someone who supports the program a shill though, but to each their own. I've seen some ardent supporters be very upset after a game or about a particular play call or decision...myself included.

Sorry Wizard but RTR means a heckuvalot in my house to me and my kids. I grew up and played during a time when if you lost..you heard about it if you ran into one of those old codgers downtown. Kind of made me work a little harder...not because I didn't want to "hear" it from the old guys but more because if it meant that much to the old guys it is worth my very best effort. that is the way I raised my kids and I think that is the reason folks get sooo upset on here when we lose. Deep down, we should be thankful folks give a hoot. there are lots of places they don't. I'd be curious to know if you were a former Red Rider Football player. The way you dismiss RTR, I would guess not, or you missed the boat.

5knots;1326040 wrote:Sorry Wizard but RTR means a heckuvalot in my house to me and my kids. I grew up and played during a time when if you lost..you heard about it if you ran into one of those old codgers downtown. Kind of made me work a little harder...not because I didn't want to "hear" it from the old guys but more because if it meant that much to the old guys it is worth my very best effort. that is the way I raised my kids and I think that is the reason folks get sooo upset on here when we lose. Deep down, we should be thankful folks give a hoot. there are lots of places they don't. I'd be curious to know if you were a former Red Rider Football player. The way you dismiss RTR, I would guess not, or you missed the boat.

BINGO!

Bob Knight - Class of 58'. Thats who I am!

Had you all fooled this entire time.

Old Rider;1326058 wrote:Bob Knight - Class of 58'. Thats who I am!

Had you all fooled this entire time.

That is not true!! I know because I'm Bob Knight class of '58

Red Rider 1, I am inspired.......

Shelton Riffle, Class of 1994! Beaver street raised baby!!! I played some football, some basketball and ran some track it OHS back when Jesus was a little guy!

sanitizer;1326070 wrote:Red Rider 1, I am inspired.......

Shelton Riffle, Class of 1994! Beaver street raised baby!!! I played some football, some basketball and ran some track it OHS back when Jesus was a little guy!

Jumped over a bar with a pole pretty good too.

5knots;1326040 wrote:Sorry Wizard but RTR means a heckuvalot in my house to me and my kids. I grew up and played during a time when if you lost..you heard about it if you ran into one of those old codgers downtown. Kind of made me work a little harder...not because I didn't want to "hear" it from the old guys but more because if it meant that much to the old guys it is worth my very best effort. that is the way I raised my kids and I think that is the reason folks get sooo upset on here when we lose. Deep down, we should be thankful folks give a hoot. there are lots of places they don't. I'd be curious to know if you were a former Red Rider Football player. The way you dismiss RTR, I would guess not, or you missed the boat.

(Old codger ) now there is a term I haven't heard for a while.

BRF;1255746 wrote:I have a really good feeling about this team being successful this season.

I made this quote on August 27, following the opening win over Northwest.

If the charge against me is trying to be positive, then I'm guilty as charged......and proud of it, too.

Nice guys lets keep it going! Mook hershey class of 1994! Wore #40 and according to some I got a lot of late hit penalties!!! Oh wait wrong guy!

sanitizer;1326070 wrote:Red Rider 1, I am inspired.......

Shelton Riffle, Class of 1994! Beaver street raised baby!!! I played some football, some basketball and ran some track it OHS back when Jesus was a little guy!

Beast of an athlete

BRF;1326109 wrote:I made this quote on August 27, following the opening win over Northwest.

If the charge against me is trying to be positive, then I'm guilty as charged......and proud of it, too.

Blinders on man.....Red Rider colored glasses. LOL.

Troll King;1326098 wrote:(Old codger) now there is a term I haven't heard for a while.

Ah, darn it, you "outted" me.........I am the Old Codger!

Anybody who got offended with anything in my 1st post is missing the point. Nothing will be gained or community united by the sniping and the taking of sides. I'm here to foster discussions about the present and the future. The past is gone, triumphs and tragedies alike. It can be a fun place to visit but living there isn't wise.


Some of the quotes I posted were examples of how many of us just expected success because it happened in the past. I also fell into this trap.


We are evolving into expecting everything and when it doesn't happen we start picking out words like "RTR" and "shill" and attacking instead of looking for the message. Once again, I'm not going to fight with anyone on here. It's not what I'm about. I may offend but it will never be a personal shot at anyone, it will be a difference of opinion with respect.


The issues I want to address are all the $64,000 questions based on our present reality.


The reality is we are no longer kings of the hill. We are arguably the second worst of the five D4 programs in Wayne County (Chippewa is worse). Our levy has failed and we haven't won a game on our beautiful new field.


The Questions:
Can we compete with the rest of the OCC athletically in the future?
Can we compete financially with the demands of playing in the OCC?
Are we better off independent?
Is the WCAL our future?
Can we return to the dominance we once enjoyed?
If financial problems arise, how will football be affected?
Can the district afford to have a money sport like football suffer?


Once again, I'm not here to fight or argue who bleeds Orrville football more, the truth is WE ALL DO. whether you played or not, the riders are your team. Thats the common ground we share. Lets start the discussion from there.

Wizard,
Good clarification. Thanks for that. Sometimes posters jump in the fray and seek to assert their knowledge from the getting and do it in a very annoying way.

Your questions are valid and shows the concern you have for the community and the program.

My thoughts..
Across all sports, we are in over our head in the OCC. just because we have always scheduled up doesn't mean we have to continue with that logic. I'd love for our kids to have legit shots for conf. titles on a yearly basis.

Financially, the OCC isn't our friend. Lots more fuel costs for our buses..and teams are so far away that bad gates are starting to be the norm. Plus our kids aren't getting home from the long road games until 9pm...not good for the student athlete.

Can we return to the glory days? Yes. But as I've mentioned here before..I think the glory days of our town are 10-15 years behind us. We had a thriving industrial base and folks putting down roots here. That's not happening as much. It can be that way once again...but it's nothing the school district can control Other than what they're already doing. We've got great facilities, academic & athletic...and good teachers & students working hard...they're doing all they can.

A levy failure again would be bad...no levy failure is good...it could affect athletic programs in the way of pay to play or coaches (head & assistant alike) being part of layoffs & losing a good coach by no fault of their own. We always had someone step up & fund the pay to play at the middle school level...I'd hope that would continue (or at least be partially supported).

The issues of our society & our town can and do impact our kids...some more than others. Maybe it's my cynicism kicking in, but the town feels different from what it was in the 80's & 90's. we were awfully spoiled with the talent in our athletic programs for those few decades. This could be the new normal. I sure hope it's not.

Well now this conversation is getting productive.

Any talk on Captains being named prior to school out for the summer? I think this would give those guys more ability to lead all summer.

This is where I'm coming from... I feel like alot of people are hitting the panic button waaay too early. We just had a very bad season by anyones standards, let alone a programs heaped with tradition and victorys so, yes, of course we're all upset. But I think we need to respect the very tradition we all talk so fondly of, and have faith that it'll turn around quickly. Bad seasons are few and far between around here so be positive and have faith that we'll return to our winning ways...I believe that will happen sooner than alot of people think. Just seems like we have one bad season and all of a sudden we're the worst program around and we need a new regime to lead our program. Do not forget, the regime we currently have has lead the program to many victorys and deep into the playoffs on a consistent basis. Let's do our part and , as proud boosters of the RTR, encourage our youth. When you see them on the street, let them know you appreciate their hard work and sacrifice... I feel the coaches deserve our open support as well because they sacrifice their time and effort to work toward upholding the RTR. Stay positive... good things are gonna happen!

AllOhio;1326453 wrote:This is where I'm coming from... I feel like alot of people are hitting the panic button waaay too early. We just had a very bad season by anyones standards, let alone a programs heaped with tradition and victorys so, yes, of course we're all upset. But I think we need to respect the very tradition we all talk so fondly of, and have faith that it'll turn around quickly. Bad seasons are few and far between around here so be positive and have faith that we'll return to our winning ways...I believe that will happen sooner than alot of people think. Just seems like we have one bad season and all of a sudden we're the worst program around and we need a new regime to lead our program. Do not forget, the regime we currently have has lead the program to many victorys and deep into the playoffs on a consistent basis. Let's do our part and , as proud boosters of the RTR, encourage our youth. When you see them on the street, let them know you appreciate their hard work and sacrifice... I feel the coaches deserve our open support as well because they sacrifice their time and effort to work toward upholding the RTR. Stay positive... good things are gonna happen!

I agree with about all of that. I just want to know that the kids want it as bad as us former players and current fans. I want to know that they will do what it takes to not let this happen again. I want to see that they know what RTR means. I WANT TO WIN.

The question I want to know is do these kids hate to lose or Love To Win? There is a big difference in how that simple question is answered!

Not sure how I misunderstood the statement ending in RTR shrills? But, OK if you say so. We have "reloaded" every year for the past 5-6. Graduated very good players that you wondered how on earth will we replace them? The next season comes along and "bam" new guys emerge and fill the voids that were created. I'm not talking about just great athletes either I'm talking about kids like Lehtomaki that worked his tail off to be the best OT/DT he could be. That did not happen this year. I was wrong in assuming that. Nobody was successful in putting this team on their back when the chips were down. I'm not saying they did not try because I only saw one game. I'm saying if they did try they were not successful. To "reload" that has to happen. IMO

what would our chances be of getting into the PAC conference. less travel and playing schools more our size. It would be a win-win situation also it would give our kids a legitimate shot at a conference title every year . I understand it might hurt our playoff chances because of the less demanding schedule . I know Manchester would probably not like it , Just a thought .

Was asked to pass this along. A few local alums have put together an idea for an Orrville Football Alumni game this Friday at 1pm at the stadium. $10 cost per player..money goes toward turf replacement fund.

One game on each half of the field starting at the 40 yd line & going in. 20 minute periods them teams rotate.

Friends, family & fans welcome to attend to watch. I think some of the current players will help referee & keep score.

Pretty cool idea if you ask me. I had nothing to do with it, just sharing the news.

Troll King;1326607 wrote:what would our chances be of getting into the PAC conference. less travel and playing schools more our size. It would be a win-win situation also it would give our kids a legitimate shot at a conference title every year . I understand it might hurt our playoff chances because of the less demanding schedule . I know Manchester would probably not like it , Just a thought .

Good idea but not much less in travel! Make a trip to Gnadenhutten and CVCA mixed in with a Timken and it probably all equals out the same. More our style of football right now however!

If the PAC got rid of the 2 valley schools (Indian & Tusky) and replaced them with us and Northwest...you'd have quite a nice conference that would be balanced across all sports.

Orrville, Triway, Tuslaw, Manchester, CVCA, Timken, Northwest & Fairless.

One long drive to CVCA every other year...everything else 30 minute drive or less.