DUBLIN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT SERIES

Lubbock-Cooper вЂ“ Take everything just written about Stephenville and apply to Lubbock-Cooper. It can be argued that RiderвЂ™s emergence as a serious regional threat came in 2004 when the Raiders rode an epic performance by Blake Szymanski to a bi-district round victory against the Yellow Jackets.ДЎ. Rider won all but one of those playoff matchups, but Stephenville did pick up a pair of non-district victories in 20. The Raiders and Yellow Jackets met in the postseason every year except one in that span. Stephenville вЂ“ These two were always on a playoff collision course for five seasons from 2004 to 2008. Even if that Ryan team finished a disappointing 6-5. ItвЂ™s not a coincidence Rider defeated Ryan in 2012 and went on to play in a state semifinal for the first time ever. From 2006 to 2013, Ryan was the measuring stick Rider could gauge itself on. However, RiderвЂ™s last district title in 2008 started with a 35-32 victory against Ryan. Most of the meetings between the two were heavily in RyanвЂ™s favor. Denton Ryan вЂ“ They didnвЂ™t stay in the same district for long, but Denton Ryan was the gatekeeper when they were. And the 2012 state quarterfinals victory against the Tigers is the most legendary win in program history.ДЈ.

Rider lost those first two matchups but didnвЂ™t lose to the Tigers again. The Tigers were considered the regionвЂ™s best chance at competing for a state title at the time. And being from West Texas, I knew how strong that Frenship program was. I was going to MSU when the Raiders opened and ended their 2006 season against Frenship. Frenship вЂ“ Again, I might have a soft spot for this matchup. I unfortunately remember the second more for the tragic knee injury Rider quarterback Willie Cherry suffered in the game. Rider won the first at Memorial Stadium, 43-41, with Denton taking the second 42-39 on its home turf. My first football season with the TRN was 2014, and the Raiders and Broncos engaged in consecutive epic battles my first two years here. The two have often been district mates until the separation of Class 5A with Denton going to Division I and Rider in Division II. Denton High вЂ“ Rider has played the Broncos more than any other opponent other than Hirschi and Old High. View Gallery: Rider Raiders beat Creekview MustangsДҐ. Without further ado, and because I want to get back in bed, hereвЂ™s my wish list for RiderвЂ™s final opponents. IвЂ™ve witnessed great games between the Raiders and these four opponents but felt they wouldnвЂ™t make the list.ДЇun insider fact: ThereвЂ™s a good chance Boswell will be on the RaidersвЂ™ final schedules. With the Coyotes starting to look like theyвЂ™ll be in Class 4A Division I and Highland Park in Class 6A, that makes the possibility of that matchup outlandishly unlikely.Д«ut for the most part, IвЂ™m listing teams who IвЂ™m not certain will be in the same district.ДЄ couple notable omissions from RiderвЂ™s list includes Denison, Amarillo High, Abilene Cooper and Saginaw Boswell. I also try to be realistic with my lists, except for putting Highland Park down for Old High. I want nothing more than to see Hirschi play WFHS and Rider during the next two seasons. And the Raiders have advanced to the state quarterfinals nine times, including three state semifinal appearances, since then.ДЄ few caveats before I jump into the list. RiderвЂ™s reign of being the most consistent football program in Wichita Falls started in 2003. Many of RiderвЂ™s best rivalries outside the city have developed in the past 20 years. You can find links to the WFHS and Hirschi lists below.

DUBLIN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT SERIES

Putting the wraps on my series of lists that focuses on the opponents for the final two seasons of the three WFISD schools.

Dublin high school district