Richwood ready for big jump
Richwood’s good news is its classes of 2017, 2018 and 2019 have the talent to make head coach Robert Arvie and his staff develop ambitious three-year plans. The bad news is they can’t get experience without being thrown in the fire at some point.
That litmus test was the 2014 season, and now the Rams come into this fall with an experienced wave of talent primed to take the next step.
“We’re going to turn those guys loose,” Arvie said. “They have experience, they played last year. They’re a special group. We’re expecting great things from them this year.”
Senior running back Dequaris Hollis added, “They needed to know what the game-time situations are like and what it’s like to be under the Friday night lights.”
That experience means more than heightened expectations for the Rams, it also means a new-look offense. With a year under their belts, Richwood’s perimeter playmakers have the go-ahead from Arvie to run loose in an open offense.
“We have more personnel, we have more skill guys than we did last year,” Arvie said. “Last year all my skill guys were freshmen so we had to load up in that power I, but this year we hope we can make some big, explosive plays with those guys.
“It starts with Hidari Ceasar. He’s an unbelievable talent. He works hard and we’re expecting explosive plays from him. Zion Stokes, we’re going to put him at quarterback and in the slot to try to get him the ball in space.”
Stokes’ moving around between wide receiver and quarterback will be a common recurrence for the Rams as they break in a young starter, potentially a freshman.
“Our freshman, Ashley Holmes, he stepped up and took every snap this summer. 7-on-7, he took every snap,” Arvie said as the Rams attempt to replace David Allen. “He learned and we’re looking for him to continue to get better, but we know we can’t put all of the pressure on him. We have a couple of sophomores that are going to start at receiver that will help us out in emergency situations.”
Richwood’s defensive situation contains similarities, as returning talent is expect to lead while the few new pieces learn the system.
“It starts with Rubin Johnson,” Arvie said. “He’s going to play defensive tackle, we’re going to move him to linebacker, defensive end, we’re going to move around. We’ve got an all-district defensive lineman as a freshman, Quandarrius Johnson, he’ll be back.
“We had a great 7-on-7 pass defense. They’re understanding what we’re trying to do. We just have to put the pads on and make sure we know how to stop the run.”
Arvie said he is breaking in some of the new pieces on the offensive side into a secondary in need of help.
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Matt Matthews, senior offensive lineman
1. What do you think you improved most this summer? My speed, my quickness and strength. My focus, knowing what I’m doing.
2. What colleges are you hearing from the most? Memphis, Southern Miss and Grambling.
3. What are you looking for in a college? I’m looking for a team where I can go in and be comfortable, a system I can be comfortable in, be comfortable with the players and coaches. I want a good education, too.
4. What do you want to major in? Either engineering or kinesiology.
District 2-3A
Coach: Robert Arvie (third season)
2014 results: 3-8, 2-2
2014 playoffs: First round
Playoff streak: 2 seasons
Home field: Mackie Freese Stadium
School phone: (318) 361-0467
Tickets: $6