Battle of unbeatens

Football looks to keep undefeated season alive against 6-0 Reedy

Benjamin Nopper, Section Editor • October 12, 2018

Senior Jahi Rainey rushes down the sidelines in attempt to reach the first down marker avoiding Lebanon Trail defender Vince Pilot.

The top spot in District 7-5A Division II will be on the line tonight when the football team (4-0, 3-0 district) collides with the Frisco Reedy Lions (6-0, 4-0) at 7 p.m at Leopard Stadium.

“There’s a level of excitement, and rightfully so,” head coach Todd Ford said. “We get the opportunity to play in front of a big crowd on ‘Pink Out’ night, and oh by the way, it’s against a powerful district [opponent].”

Although the Leopards are riding a four-game winning streak to begin the year, they have yet to face an opponent with more than one win. In fact, the combined record of the Leopards’ opponents (Heritage, Memorial, Braswell, and Lebanon Trail) is 4-21 up to this point.

Nevertheless, Ford said he views tonight’s challenge as an opportunity to make a statement.

“We can’t control our opponents,” Ford said. “As long as we play well, things are going to happen on the good side for the Leopards. We do have a great opportunity ahead of us. It’s not going to take a superhuman effort. It’s just going to take all of us playing well and working together.”

Reedy has faced opponents with a combined record of 15-18 on the season, and the Lions share the exact same point differential as the Leopards (+149).

On offense, the Lions are led by senior quarterback Josh Foskey, who has eclipsed the 1,000 yard plateau while throwing just one interception, and senior tailback Michael Ferrara, who is averaging over seven yards per carrySenior defensive lineman Luke Stine said that countering the Reedy rushing game, which has amassed 20 touchdowns this season, is a focal point for the defense.

“Reedy is a running team,” Stine said. “They primarily keep the ball on the ground, and after a big play, they like to keep the tempo up, so they immediately get back to the line to snap the ball and get a play off as quick as possible.”

From a defensive perspective, the Lions are limiting opponents to an average of 238 total yards per game.

Sophomore wide receiver Luke Mayfield, who complemented 91 receiving yards with two touchdowns last week, said the Leopard offense will look to keep the Lion defense off balance.

“We are going to establish the run game and then open up the pass game,” Mayfield said.

In last week’s 56-15 win at Lebanon Trail, the Leopards were successful in the passing game early, as senior quarterback Carson Collins was responsible for the first five Leopard touchdowns of the night. Collins’ night finished early in the third quarter after being taken out for what Ford described as “precautionary reasons,” but the signal caller is expected to start tonight.

About the Contributors

Benjamin Nopper, Section Editor

After joining staff and becoming an editor his sophomore year, Benjamin Nopper is enthusiastic to spend his senior year in the newsroom he considers to be his home away from home. Benjamin walked into room E103 two years ago feeling overwhelmed by the pressure of the unknown‒writing for an award-winning publication without much previous experience. Hundreds of articles and dozens of close relationships later, he now understands that writing enables an individual to have a meaningful impact in his community. A disciple of his former boss, Nick Smith, Nopper retains his position as sports editor for the third consecutive year while also contributing as an opinion writer. However, if it were up to him, he would run his own satire department. Outside of the newsroom, Nopper plays baseball and serves as an FCA leader. Nopper is also a member of Student Council, NHS and Spanish Club. He enjoys embarking adventures with his three dogs, spending afternoons on the golf course, and feeding his unhealthy coffee obsession. Nopper also loves to watch Impractical Jokers, the show that admittedly inspires some of his lighthearted interactions with his friends. Upon graduating, Nopper intends to study business and eventually attend law school.

Grace Nguyen, Section Editor

Fueled daily by three iced vanilla coffees, standing at 5’2”, Grace Nguyen will walk into the E103 door with no problem. Grace is entering senior year, and the only reason she is believed to have survived high school is because of the napping couch in the photography studio. During her time on staff, Grace has been to almost every football game, win or loss, and wouldn’t have changed a thing. Yes, Grace has been tackled by football players, run over by coaches, and body slammed by referees. Nonetheless, Grace will confidently walk on the field this year, bruises and all, alongside her sideline media team. Stepping outside the newsroom, which is rare, Grace enjoys playing softball, hanging out with family and friends, and finding excuses to go to every $3 Pazookie Tuesdays at BJ’s. After high school, Grace hopes to pursue a career in sports photojournalism, so watch out for her still getting run over by athletes on ESPN in the years to come. Although it’s bittersweet to leave newspaper upon graduation, Grace is thankful for all the opportunities that she’s had on staff. Through The Red Ledger, Grace created long-lasting friendships and won a lot of awards that she never imagined was possible. Grace hopes that current and future staffers will think of this national-award-winning publication the same way as she did–a second family and their home away from home.