RLS still striving for winning season in ‘09

By Andrew Garner (Contact) | Andalusia Star-News

Published Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Red Level coach Tony Ingram said Tuesday that a winning season is still not out of the question yet for his team.

The Tigers are currently sitting at a 2-4 record right now and are 0-4 in Class 2A, Region 1.

Red Level got off to a good start, defeating Kinston in the first game 19-3, but quickly fell to Flomaton, 38-6 in the second.

The third and fourth weeks were back-to-back losses to Excel (42-14) and Millry (45-6).

On the fifth week, the Tigers won their second game against county rival, Florala, 46-14.

Ingram said right now, the team is not where it set out to be going into week seven.

“It’s been kind of a roller coaster up and down with bright spots and bad spots,” he said. “Last Friday night, I saw the best effort that’s been here probably in three years.”

Red Level lost to Washington County last week, 17-6.

Ingram said what looked good last week was the physicality of the team.

“It was just intensity,” he said. “We played hard for four quarters and never let down. The game was in question with one minute left in the game. They were as good a team as we have played all year.

“That’s what we’ve been looking for,” he said. “If we can build on that and use that, then we can be successful in the last half of the season. Obviously, the playoffs are pretty much out of the picture without some miracle, but we’ve just got to work and get better to salvage our season.”

The next four weeks, the Tigers will face three more region opponents and one regular season opponent.

Red Level will be on the road two weeks in a row to face region opponents Mobile Christian and Leroy.

On Oct. 23, the Tigers will finish region play with Southern Choctaw on homecoming.

Ingram said at this point in the season, his team’s goals have changed.

“Our goal was to make the playoffs,” Ingram said. “I think every team in the state’s goal is to be in the super six and then your sub-goal under that is the region championship, playoffs and a winning season.

“Right now, a winning season is not out of the question,” he said. “If we get that kind of effort that we gave last Friday night — four quarters worth of effort — then we’re going to be successful if we can win a game or not. I think the kids were shocked at themselves that they were capable of playing with a team like that and actually in a position to win the game.”

As far as the team’s attitude heading into the final weeks of the season?

“The attitude right now is good,” Ingram said. “I don’t think they realize what they were capable of until last Friday night against Washington County. We still lost and they’re still disappointed. I think they’ve seen what they can do and what they’re capable of. If they can build on that, then we can have a successful winning season.”