The Ritchie County football team has tripled its win total from last year. Head Coach Mike Dawson said his team had no reason to believe it could make it into the playoffs this year, but the Rebels did believe and they did make it in.
Ritchie County finished at No.16, so they face No. 1 Point Pleasant. Having to take down the top team doesn't intimidate The Rebels.
"We're excited about the opportunity to play in the playoffs and we're going to play just like we have every other," said Coach Dawson. "We're going to prepare as well as we can. If we're not good enough to beat them then they'll win. If we are good enough to beat them though, perhaps we'll find a way to get it done. We're just going up on the hill one more week. We look forward to having that opportunity to play one more week. This is really what the whole thing is, to get yourself in the playoffs. We've made it so far and we're just going to do the best we can, play as hard as we can and then we'll look at the scoreboard when it's over."
Ritchie County may even have history on its side when it comes to Point Pleasant. Last year, Roane County beat Point Pleasant at home in the playoffs. The Rebels' opponent is hurting at running back due to injuries but will use just about any offense it can to win.
"We do a lot of different things," commented Point Pleasant Head Coach David Darst. "We do a lot of Wing-T stuff. Sometimes we get in the Spread and throw the ball. We had so much success throwing the ball this summer in the Spread. Off that we mix a little bit with that. At times, we want to power the football at you. Really, I don't know if there's a style."
Point Pleasant has already caught a look at Ritchie and knows it has a formidable opponent.
"Really impressed with their defense, they're fast on defense and they've got a couple of nice running backs. I don't know the kids names. I know number seven for them really impressed me. It seems like they're putting together a program there," said Coach Darst.
That number seven is Darrenger Goff, and no one can forget about number two, Reno Jackson.
"Well I think when you talk about our team, we have eight seniors and Reno Jackson is definitely a very, very explosive young man," said Coach Dawson. "You give him the football enough and you give him a little bit of blocking and he can take a game over on his own."
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