FOOTBALL
Head coach: Josh Mann
Current record: 2-0
Pre-game rituals: The team sits down together for a pre-game meal and players listen to music to get pumped up for the game.
Toughest opponents: Two teams in the district are ranked in the top 10, including No. 2 Cedar Park and No. 4 Leander.
Major improvements this year: The team has much more depth this year with a large senior class and an experience junior group.
Expectations for the season: “[We want to go] deep in the playoffs and [be] district champs.” – wide receiver Logan Kinder, 12
Other notes: “As long as the Raider Nation comes out like they did in the stands, and people get excited like they did last time, it’s a lot more fun for us.” –Mann
CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach: Kelly Thompson
Current record: Won the Dual in the Sun against Vandegrift, Aug. 24. At the Friday Night Lights meet in The Woodlands Aug. 31, Madie Boreman finished fourth in the girls varsity A race.
Pre-game rituals: The runners pray together before every meet, a tradition that’s been in place since the school’s inception.
Toughest opponent: “We are our own toughest opponent. We are in a really hard district so there isn’t really one other team to pin point.” –Thompson
Major improvements this year: The commitment level is higher this year and the team’s focus has improved as well.
Expectations for the season: “We really want to go to regionals. It’s what we’ve been practicing for and it’s one of the biggest meets all year.” –Gabriel Lopez, 12
Other notes: “This year’s team is hungry to win. They are committed to doing whatever it takes.” –Thompson
VOLLEYBALL
Head Coach: Jason Thompson
Current record: 18-13
Pre-match rituals: The team gathers in a circle and dances; they also pray.
Toughest opponent: “Dripping Springs. Actually, the entire district. [The] entire district, not just one, year in, year out.” -Thompson.
Major improvements this year: The team is playing more like a team and is a close niche group, closer than they have been in the past.
Expectations for the season: “We need to play with high energy. There is a lot of team chemistry. [We need to] do work and get the job done. We are going to beat the pants off of everybody.”-Meilee Brown, 12
CROSS COUNTRY
Head coach: Kelly Thompson
Current record: Won the Dual in the Sun against Vandegrift, Aug. 24. At the Friday Night Lights meet in The Woodlands Aug. 31, Madie Boreman finished fourth in the girls varsity A race.
Pre-game rituals: The runners pray together before every meet, a tradition that’s been in place since the school’s inception.
Toughest opponent: “We are our own toughest opponent. We are in a really hard district so there isn’t really one other team to pin point.” –Thompson
Major improvements this year: The commitment level is higher this year and the team’s focus has improved as well.
Expectations for the season: “We really want to go to regionals. It’s what we’ve been practicing for and it’s one of the biggest meets all year.” –Gabriel Lopez, 12
Other notes: “This year’s team is hungry to win. They are committed to doing whatever it takes.” –Thompson
SWIMMING
Head coach: Marlene Blanchett
Pre-meet rituals: Before each meet, the team gathers together for a team cheer. Individual swimmers also listen to their own music before a race, and before relays, teammates huddle, talk about goals and cheer.
Toughest opponents: Vandegrift and Cedar Park
Major improvement this year: The team had more difficult tryouts this year and also has more upperclassmen and leadership.
Expectations for the season: To have team unity throughout the season. Historically, the team has advanced to regionals every year and expects to return again this year.
TENNIS
Head coach: Michael Hjort
Current record: The tennis team was the first team to kick off the season, starting Aug. 13. They are currently 5-4.
Pre-match rituals: At home matches, the guys go on one set of courts while the girls go to the other side to get familiar with where they are playing.
Toughest opponents: Westwood and Lake Travis, both teams the Raiders have already faced this season. For the district tournament in October, Vandegrift is the strongest competition with all other teams vying for second.
Major improvements this year: “Our boys’ team has definitely shown improvement this year. On the girls side they’re working really hard. We’re looking forward to the rest of the season.” -Hjort
Expectations for the season: The team’s goal is to advance to regionals.
Other notes: “They are a wonderful group of kids and I am so proud to have this opportunity to play with them. Being No. 1 on the team for the girls is a wonderful opportunity and I’m so proud to represent such an amazing group of friends that I can call my tennis family.” –London Thetford, 11
