Mark Mariakis often has spoken of the benefits of “tough love” and how adversity can bring a football team together. In the future the Ridgeland coach will have a shining example to show his Panthers.
The last week of September was clearly the low point for a young Ridgeland team still trying to hit its stride. The Panthers were still smarting from a 24-17 upset at the hands of Gilmer County, putting the three-time region champions 1-3. Mariakis and his staff spent the next week, the team’s open date, trying to bring the Panthers together in time to face Dalton.
However, game week began in the worst possible way. Mariakis had to suspend 10 players, including four starters, for a game in a move that could have torn the Panthers apart. Instead, seemed to provide a new beginning.
Ridgeland fell at Harmon Field, 28-21, but a different team hit the practice field the following Monday.
“It was a turning point for us,” Mariakis said. “As young and inexperienced as we were, this could have gone the other way, but it became the moment we came together and matured. As coaches we’re about developing young men first and we hope to win football games along the way. Sometimes love is shown through discipline.”