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Cy Ridge posted their best record in school
history in 2007 by finishing 11-2. The Rams lost to
Hightower 24-21 in the Division 1 Regional Semis.
Ridge began varsity play in 2004 and hadn’t won more
than seven games in any of their first three seasons.
A talented senior class, led by Russell Shepard (QB,
6’2 190) and Hasan Lipscomb (RB, 5’11 205), can take Ridge
to unprecedented heights in 2008.
As a program, the Rams
are known for their overall speed. Depth
and the kicking game have been weak areas on past Ridge
teams and they are again concerns for 2008. 10 returning starters,
including 6 All-District selections, (4 offense,
6 defense) form a solid base of experience this season.
The explosive Shepard-Lipscomb backfield combination helped
Ridge average 37 points a game last season, and the return
of this duo guarantees sleepless nights for at least 10
defensive coordinators this fall. The duo
combined for 3,150 rushing yards and 44 TD's on the ground
at a ridiculous 8.2 yards per carry average. For good
measure, Lipscomb added two more TD's on kickoff returns. Both
will sign letters of intent with major Division 1-A
universities next February. Shepard has
verbally committed to LSU, while Lipscomb has given a verbal
commitment to Minnesota.
Shepard’s development in the passing game will be monitored
closely this season by both his opponents and college
suitors. If Ridge can be more balanced
this season, the Rams offense will go from a tough match-up
to a nightmare match-up for opposing defenses.
The Ram receiving corps is young and talented.
Juniors Kevin Johnson (6’2 190) and DJ Oni-Orisan
(6’0 185) are two of the primary perimeter options.
Kevin Johnson had 7 catches for 176 yards and 2 TD's last
fall and had a huge spring game, so expect him to be
Shepard's favorite target.
Senior OT Keenan Flax (6’4 265) is the top returning
player on the line.
The offense grabs the headlines, true to form, but the Ridge
defense can’t be overlooked. Most of the
experience returns in the front. Senior
defensive ends John Gandy (5’11 265) and Harold Jackson (5’9
225) earned all-district honors in 2007.
Junior DT Robert Scarpati (6’3 240) is one of the top young
talents in the program.
At linebacker, Ridge
returns one of the most productive members of its team in
senior
Princeton Jackson (6’0 205).
Jackson is an all-district talent and a safe pre-season pick
for district and state honors this season.
Senior free safety Adrian Bonham adds experience in
the secondary. The secondary was hardest
hit by graduation, but Ridge typically doesn’t have a
problem finding talented skill players.
A main challenge for Ridge will adding necessary balance,
particularly in the passing game on offense, so their
abilities won’t be canceled out against teams who can match
up. Humble will challenge Ridge
immediately
on August 29th as the Wildcats are one of
the few programs with talent to match Ridge.
If the Rams make the necessary improvements and stay
healthy, they could emerge as a Region 2 contender.
|
2008 Team Outlook |
Pre-Season State Top
25: 19th
Pre-Season Rank (Region):
4 (2)
Pre-Season Rank (District):
1 (15)
Returning Offensive Starters:
4
QB Russell Shepard (Sr.)
*
'07 Dist. Off. MVP
RB Hasan Lipscomb (Sr.)
WR DJ Oni-Orisan (Jr.)
OT Keenan Flax (Sr.)
Returning Defensive Starters:
6
DE John Gandy (Sr.)
DE Harold Jackson (Sr.)
DT Robert Scarpati (Jr.)
MLB Princeton Jackson (Sr.)
CB Stevin Long (Jr.)
FS Adrian Bonham (Sr.)
All-State Players (Team):
AP Russell Shepard (2nd)
RB Hasan Lipscomb (2nd)
Returning All-District Players:
5
QB Russell
Shepard (1st)
RB Hasan Lipscomb (1st)
OT Keenan Flax (1st)
MLB Princeton Jackson (1st)
DE Harold Jackson (2nd)
Other Players to Watch:
WR Kevin
Johnson (Jr.)
WR Arick Jones (Jr.)
WR Jayrell Scott (Jr.)
OT Michael Salinas (Jr.)
OG Jonathan Edmondson (Jr.)
ILB Zech Roberson (Jr.)
OLB Edsel Estrada (Sr.)
|
2008 Schedule
(Stadium):
8/29
Humble (Berry)
9/5
@ Klein (Klein Memorial)
9/11 @ Cinco Ranch (Rhodes)
9/19 OPEN
9/26 Cy Woods
(Berry)
10/4 Cy Creek (Berry)
10/11 @ Cy Fair (Berry)
10/18 Cy Falls (Berry)
10/25 @ Jersey Village (Pridgeon)
10/31 Cy Springs
(Berry)
11/7 @ Langham
Creek (Pridgeon)
Opponents Combined Record:
51-49
Projected 2008 Record:
10-0
Key Games (Rank):
@
Klein
vs. Humble
vs. Cy Falls
Strength of Schedule (Rank):
97.00 (87th)
Unit Rankings:
#3
Backfield
#4 Total
Offense |
| The Bottom Line:
|
Strengths:
Outstanding
Backfield
Team Speed
Experience on Defense
|
Weaknesses:
Overall Depth
Kicking Game
Holes to fill on Offensive LIne |
|
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