TALLAHASSEE, Fl. (WTXL) - The Rickards Raiders are coming off their best season ever. For the first time in school history, Rickards made it to the Region Finals, and now, they are ready to take Rickards football to the next level.
The Raiders return just four players offensively, three defensively, but the returners are big. Running back destin Coates, a Purdue commit, and Marucs Riley, who'll suit up at quarterback, are both names head coach Quintin Lewis will depend on.
Rickards fell to Ponte Vedra in last year's Class 5A Region Final, but it was a season to remember after winning their first District crown in 15 years, as well as winning the city title. While those accomplishments are nice, coach Lewis notes you can't remember last season when you're focused on the now.
"Each day, you're going to have your Super Bowl every day, and I want you to come out and give 150%, as much as you can every single time," he said. "As long as I get that grind from you and that work, everything will work out for itself. At the end of the day, it's about what's beating your chest for real and how hard you want it and how bad you want it. These guys are driven. Each one is out to make a name for themselves and for Rickards and that's all we can ask for."
Rickards has a big kickoff game, as they face Miami Northwestern on August the 19th.
