There were several reasons Ridgeland went from playing for the Georgia Class AAAA championship in 2012 to winning three games last season, the most notable being a rash of injuries that decimated an already-thin team.
The biggest underlying issue, however, was a lack of top leadership. When the injuries and losses started to mount and first-time players were forced onto the field before they were ready, the leadership so abundant the year before was missing.
"The big thing last year was that, after going to the Dome, we came out with a big head," senior linebacker Ian Hayes said. "We learned a lot about that, which is why this year leadership is such a key for us. The guys like Vonn [Bell] and Darrell [Bridges] showed us how to play, and that's what I want to do this year to the younger guys. The kids we have this year have all the talent, but we have to keep them focused so they can use that talent."
The difficult thing for the Panthers in that regard is that 70 percent of this year's team will be sophomores and freshmen. Hayes and fellow linebackers Jacob Russell and Zach Weathers are three of the five seniors who are expected to start. Russell, like Hayes, understands the serious need for leaders and is ready to step up.
"Last year was rough for us," he said. "It was very shocking for us, to go from the top to winning just three games. We're a whole lot closer than last year, though. Leadership is big for this team, and us seniors have to lead by example and not let the younger guys see us get down. We've got plenty of athletes but we need more leadership, and I know guys like myself and Ian can do the job."
Coach Mark Mariakis, who had taken the Panthers to seven consecutive playoff appearances until last year's 3-7 mark, goes into the season knowing his young players need someone other than the coaches to look up to.
"Right now, the thing we're still trying to find is a core group of leaders," he said. "It's a problem in our society as a whole, and on this football team it's tough because our seniors are trying to lead young kids - some of them 14 years old - who have never played on a Friday night. I know our seniors, who had known nothing but success until last year, didn't like that feeling and are doing everything they can to turn it back around."
- Lindsey Young
RIDGELAND PANTHERS
Head coach: Mark Mariakis (68-45 in 10 years here; 85-78 in 15 years overall)
Last year: 3-7, 2-3 in Region 7B-AAAA
Returning starters (O/D/K): 4/6/1
Control panel: Youth abounds on the Panthers, but one area of experience is at linebacker, where Ian Hayes (6-2, 225, Sr.) and Zach Weathers (5-10, 205, Sr.) are three-year starters. Running back Cadarius Word (5-11, 195, Jr.), the team's leading rusher last year, will get most of the carries.
New producers: Transfer Jerome Morgan (5-6, 165, Jr.) will provide depth at running back in the team's wing-T attack, and a pair of freshmen, RB/DB Markeith "Butter" Montgomery (5-6, 130) and RB/LB Tim Bowman (5-11, 175), a cousin of former stars Mike and Devin Bowman, could earn starting positions.
Items of interest:
25 - This is the 25th season of football at Ridgeland.
7 - Heading into training camp, only five seniors and two juniors were locked into starting positions.
"Our kids understand that because of our success everyone is going to give us their best game, but that's respect and this program has earned it." - Mark Mariakis
2014 SCHEDULE
(all games at 7:30 Eastern)
Aug. 22 - at Adairsville
Aug. 29 - at Chattooga
Sept. 12 - Dade County
Sept. 26 - at Pickens County *
Oct. 3 - Gilmer County *
Oct. 10 - at Cartersville *
Oct. 17 - Heritage *
Oct. 24 - Northwest Whitfield *
Oct. 31 - at Southeast Whitfield *
Nov. 7 - LaFayette *
- Region 7-AAAA game