Ridgeland coach Mark Mariakis tried to be hip back in 2005 by installing the spread offense. But he didn't stick with it. Said Mariakis,"Game nine of '05, we trashed it. And we've never looked back." (chuckles)
Mariakis says the Wing 'T' fits the physical nature of his team. Said Gannon Hampton,"We just get after it. Try to knock people's heads off scoring some touchdowns. It's all good fun." Said offensive coordinator Eric Edwards,"For us, it's physical every where. Even our quarterback blocks on the power." Reporter-"So the quarterback for Ridgeland has to learn how to block?" Said Edwards,"Yeah. He doesn't have to do it as well as the other guys, but he has to do it at times though." Said Mariakis,"It gives us a chance to put the ball in a lot of athletes hands. We are blessed here to have a lot of good running backs." Said running back Noah Cooper,"We all just want to work hard. Not be selfish. Just try to make plays." Said Mariakis,"I've been on the other end of games where people just run it down our throats, and it just gets demoralizing really for kids that they know they physically can't stop somebody. And so hopefully, we are bringing that to our offense. We're just going to come right at you. No secrets. Again, if somebody can beat us, hats off to you."
The Panthers Wing 'T' offense is averaging 42-points a game. But the O-linemen would like to see more love from the running backs after a score. Said lineman Grady Mathews,"I be telling them to come celebrate with me. But sometimes, they just run right past me. Break my heart a little bit."
While the lineman may not get to celebrate touchdowns, they still get their own special celebration.Said Mariakis,"If they all grade out at 85-percent, I'll take them to Golden Corral on Monday. There's some big ol' boys that like to eat. I've had to shell out some bucks to go to Golden Corral. But it's okay. It's worth it." Added Mathews,"They bribe us with food because we are big." (laughs)
