Ashley Ridge football team gathering community support with 鈥淪wamp Pride鈥�
SUMMERVILLE, S.C. — With the start of a new school year, the much anticipated high school 鈥淔riday Night Lights鈥� returns! Whether you have a child on the team, in high school or just have a love for the game, many people enjoy spending their Friday nights cheering on the local high school. Many West Summerville Neighbors have a lot of 鈥淪wamp Pride鈥� and enjoy cheering on the Ashley Ridge High School football team.
The ARHS football program started in 2008 when the school opened. So far, the program has been to one lower state championship game in 2011. The team has an excellent coaching staff, which is made up of many talented individuals you may know as your fellow neighbor– Head Coach: Shane Fidler; Assistant Head Coach: BJ Bellush; Defensive Coordinator: Chris Collins; JV Head Coach: Mike Monnet; and B Team Head Coach: Corey Harris.
Last season, the Swamp foxes celebrated beating Berkeley HS for the first time in school history. The team also went 5-4 with a double overtime loss to Cane Bay in the playoffs. This loss has challenged the team to work even harder, as Head Coach Shane Fidler shared: 鈥淥ur players were immediately motivated by how last year ended. They have really bought into the off season program and we are looking forward to seeing how that pays off on Friday Nights this fall.鈥�
Despite a new season starting, the Swamp Foxes goal each year remains the same: to hang a banner at the school. The last region championship for the ARHS football team was in 2014, and there have been zero lower state or state championships since then. This year they are ready to make that change!
Their team is driven by the core values of #HUNT. H-Hard Work, U-Unselfishness, N-No Excuses, T-Toughness. 鈥淪o if you ever see #HUNT somewhere, just know that is how we are building our program and are trying to make it a constant reminder for those in our program,鈥� Fidler said.
Not only are good coaches vital for a team, but players who rise up as leaders to their peers. Seniors TJ Wilson and Xavier Proctor-Floyd, have risen to the occasion and help carry the team. 鈥淭heir presence in the locker room, as well as their toughness on the field are what make them the leaders on our team,鈥� Fidler shared.
In addition to these seniors, the team has been strategically split into 鈥渦nits.鈥� Coach shared: These are basically mini teams, and they help with accountability and it also gives new members a chance to create an immediate bond with the players in their unit.鈥�
A game day ritual for the Swamp Foxes revolves around the boys love for lifting weights. 鈥淲e have found a great game day workout routine led by our strength coaches BJ Bellush and Joe Hauff,鈥� Coach Fidler said. 鈥淭he players love to do a bicep and triceps circuit to Johnny Cash鈥檚 Ring of Fire.鈥�
Then after every game, they pray together as a team. 鈥淲e like to take 24 hours to enjoy our wins, but after that it is on to next opponent,鈥� Fidler said.
We wish the ARHS football program the best of luck this year! Here鈥檚 to bringing home a new banner, Swamp Foxes!
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