After a shaky start, the varsity football team looks forward to a strong season as they rely on the leadership of the seniors.
“[I’m looking forward to] a district championship and a state championship,” Coach James Garfield said. “[And] kids playing hard and doing what is right all the time.”
Rider lost many key seniors this year, including four division one athletes, due to graduation.
“It happens every year,” Garfield said. “The dynamic of every team is different, therefore, you have plans and adjustments in place before the senior class reaches their senior year.”
Garfield said the difference between this year’s team and last is team cohesiveness.
“Both teams were very close, the thing about this years group is a ‘workman’ type attitude,” Garfield said. “This is the kind of team that puts on their hard hat and brings their lunch pail.”
Garfield’s personal goals include being a leader not only to the team, but also to the school.
“I would hope that the love I have for the game would come through and the players would see it,” Garfield said. “If a player does something that may be detrimental to our team chemistry then we will handle it with some type of punishment.”
Senior Zach Apperson looks forward to playing in December.
“We are a team,” Apperson said. “It’s not just about any one player, offense, defense, or who is going where, it’s about Rider Raider football as a whole.”
As he does his job, makes plays, and tries to keep everyone’s head up, Apperson said he will contribute to the team.
“[This team relies on] unity and heart,” Apperson said.  “We have already gone through a tough season so far and we have worked extremely hard for all of this, now its just time to let everything fall into place.”
Apperson said the coaching staff is very motivational and would do anything for a win.
“Leadership is extremely difficult, sometimes you may have to do or say something you don’t want to do,” Garfield said. “The team is more important than the individual.”