Former Manhiem Township standout previews F&M’s game against McDaniel
I caught up with former Manheim Township standout Jay Ridinger this week, and we chatted everything F&M football … putting a wrap on the tough two-game road trip which resulted in a pair of gut-wrenching losses, setting up Saturday’s game against McDaniel, and even a quick trip down memory lane with some Manheim Township talk.
By the way, Ridinger is F&M’s second-leading receiver heading into Saturday’s game, with 19 catches for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns – and it was his TD grab in overtime last year that gave F&M a win over McDaniel.
You can listen to the Podcast with Mr. Ridinger by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.
You can also download the interview and play it on your favorite mp3 device by clicking right here.
And continue reading here for my F&M-McDaniel preview grid. Busy, busy week and not a ton of time, but I jammed in here what I could …
THE GAME: McDaniel (2-4, Centennial Conference, 2-5 overall) @ F&M (2-3 Centennial Conference, 3-4 overall), Saturday, 1 p.m., Williamson-Sponaugle Field, Lancaster.
ONLINE: B2 Networks with David Seitz and Max Cole on the call.
THE SERIES: F&M leads 23-16-2, and the Diplomats are 15-10 against McDaniel in CC games. … F&M has won the last four games in a row in the series, which began in 1904. This is the 42nd meeting between the Diplomats and the Green Terror. … F&M’s last two wins at McDaniel – including last year – were overtime victories. Last year, Ryan Murray rushed for 215 yards and Kyle Turner hit Jay Ridinger for the go-ahead score in OT for F&M.
THE COACHES: F&M’s John Troxell is in his third season with the Diplomats. … McDaniel’s Tim Keating is in his 16th season with the Green Terror. He is the 23rd head coach in the history of the program, and his teams are 98-61-3.
ABOUT F&M: Diplomats hung with fifth-ranked Muhlenberg before falling 17-6 on the road, as John DeLuca rushed for 177 yards and a score for the Mules, who improved to 7-0. … Diplomats have been lights out at home with a 3-0 mark: 24-0 over Washington & Lee, 14-0 over Juniata and 51-13 over Ursinus. This is their first game back after a two-game road losing skid (Moravian and Muhlenberg). … On the flipside, F&M is 0-4 on the road, with one more to go: the regular-season finale at rival Gettysburg. … Leading rusher is John Kaschak (142-474, 3.3 avg, 2 TD). … Leading receiver is former Manheim Township standout George Eager (34-379, 11.1 avg, 4 TD). … Leading passer is John Harrison (93-of-163 for 946 yards, 10 TD, 8 picks).
ABOUT McDANIEL: Led Ursinus 7-3 heading into the fourth quarter before the Bears scored 23 fourth-quarter points and stunned the Green Terror 26-7. … Leading rusher is T.J. Develin (82-463, 5.6 avg, 4 TD). … Leading receiver is Matt Cahill (14-177, 23.6 avg, 1 TD). … Leading passer is Vinny Corona (22-of-56 for 234 yards, 1 TD, 3 picks), although three QB’s have taken snaps this season.
L-L CONNECTION: Penn Manor grad Austin Herr, a junior center, starts for McDaniel.
TROXELL SAYS: “Looking back over the first seven games, we are 3-4, but our opponents are a combined 19-3, and we were in every game. We have been competitive with some really good teams. As a program, we need to turn the corner and find a way to beat those teams. … There is no reason for our kids to be discouraged. We still have a very real goal of posting a winning record this season. It would be a heck of an accomplishment if we can send this class out winners. … Our kids will continue to play hard and our effort will be nothing short of 100 percent. That’s what you have to have at this time of year. Our kids never quit, and they keep playing hard.”
THE PICK: F&M has been incredible at home. And after two gut-wrenching road losses, the Diplomats are probably licking their chops to get that home cooking. F&M gets back to .500 here. Diplomats 35-13.
