Generals look to compete in IVC

WEST LAFAYETTE – One of Ridgewood High School’s biggest strengths going into the 2019 football season is its depth.

“We have a lot of good kids,” said Head Coach John Slusser. “That’s an advantage because we can practice good kids against good kids. It makes for great competition. We aren’t real tough though. We are going to have to work on people accepting their roles and how they are part of it all. You can only play so many.”

The Generals only lost four seniors from last year’s team that went 10-2 overall and 6-1 in the Inter-Valley Conference (IVC).

“We are returning just about everybody,” Slusser said. “Twenty-one of our 22 starters are back.”

They open the season on Friday, Aug. 30 on the road against Northwestern High School and will face some tough competitors in the IVC later on their schedule.

“Garaway is going to be really good and Indian Valley is good,” Slusser said. “We are hoping to compete with them and be right in there for the battle for first place.”

Their first home game will be on Friday, Sept. 6 against River View High School.

“We have a neat atmosphere here on Friday nights,” Slusser said. “People always say it’s not just a game, it’s an event in our town. A lot of people put in a lot of hard work to make this a pretty special place.”

The football team has shared several good years with its fans.

“We’ve had a nice 15 years and have had a lot of good players,” said Slusser, who has been head coach for 15 years. “We’ve been able to replace seniors with seniors for the most part. We don’t play a lot of young kids.”

The 2019 team has 11 seniors including defensive end Grayson Newell.

“Football means a lot,” he said. “I’ve known these guys for a long time. These guys on the field are family. I’m hoping we can go to the playoffs this year and make it pretty far there and have fun.”

Blayden McCoy added that Friday nights at home during football season are unique for The Generals.

“It feels great when we are out there,” said the wide receiver. “We get support and have an atmosphere like no other high school.”

He’s looking forward to playing Garaway at home on Friday, Oct. 11 and so is fellow senior Cody Thompson.

“That is a revenge game for us,” said Thompson who plays center.

Garaway gave the Generals their only regular season loss in a close 21-27 battle.

“I hope we go 10-0 and as far as we can in the playoffs, hopefully to state,” Thompson said.

New to the group of seniors is Brayden Caudill. The slot receiver transferred to Ridgewood from IMG Academy in Florida.

“They seem to really keep their head in the game here,” Caudill said. “I’ve never been on a winning team so I’m looking forward to a winning season.”

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