Ravenwood Revenge: Maryville Part Two
Call it a rematch.
On Saturday night at Tenn Tech in Cookeville, Ravenwood takes on Maryville for the Class 6A championship for the second year in a row.
Last year Maryville (15-0) beat the Raptors (14-1) by just one point, 35-34, in overtime. The Raptors went for two while trying to match Maryville and win the game. The two teams could not have been closer.
This year, with many key Ravenwood players from last year still on the team, it should be the same kind of game.
All through the playoffs, return-man extraordinaire Chris Rowland has been giving the Raptors just what they need exactly when they need it. He scored on a 80-yard kickoff return to get Ravenwood back in the game last week in the semifinals against Whitehaven. On the season he has more than 700 yards rushing, 850 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns- and those stats do not even include his seven return touchdowns this year.
And quarterback Andrew Rappe has been playing some of his best football of the year, doing damage with his arm and legs. He played in the championship game last year, scoring the game’s first touchdown, but was not the starting quarterback for Ravenwood.
The Day Before The Day, can’t wait to be back in this moment! Is the Nation Ready? #LND #G2BARR pic.twitter.com/54T2fpNaaW
— Ravenwood Football (@wcsRHSwh) December 4, 2015
These two seniors lead a potent Raptor offense, along with dependable running back Connor Jeffries, who averages more than six yards per carry and has gained more than a thousand yards on the year.
“Our community is excited for the rematch. You always want to compete against the best and Maryville is that in 6A football this year,” said Ravenwood coach William Hester.
“Keys to victory for the Raptors will be valuing the ball and not turning it over. Doing our best to slow down the Maryville offense and winning the kicking game.”
The Rebels, however, are a juggernaut. On the year they average a 40-9 win. They are definite favorites on the neutral site, which is about an hour and a half drive for each team and their faithful.
Maryville has hardly played a close game all year. The Rebels closest call all year was in early September, against Alcoa in a 20-14 win.
For Ravenwood win, it needs to stop quarterback Dylan Hopkins, who has been throwing and running all over opponents all year. It all starts there for the Raptors defense.
Kickoff is at 7 p.m. For live scoring check out our live Scoreboard.
