Raymond Rangers

Class 3-A , Region 6

2007 Results: 3-7 Overall, 2-4 District

Key Losses: LB Bobby McGowan (signed with Hinds CC), DE Bruce Nix (signed with MS Valley St.), LB Louis Nichols (Co-Lin)

Head Coach: Kenny Granberry (entering 3rd season with Raymond, but 1st as head coach)

Coach's 2008 Outlook

Rangers Offense: Coach Granberry has run the Pro-I for the last 30 years and this year will be no different.  The Rangers will have 2 tailbacks in Kolby McFarland and Kodera Edley that will carry the rock in that I-formation.  McFarland averaged 4.6 yards per carry while Edley averaged 6.2.  Moving the chains should be no problem for the Rangers.  Senior Julius Johnson returns as quarterback.  He will have 2 fast targets in Jeremy Williams and Dontaous Lee.  Williams averaged 22.1 yards per catch last season.  If Johnson can get the ball to Williams more, the offense should be able to put some points on the board. 

Rangers Defense:  The secondary will be the strength of this unit.  Four starters return in the secondary and they will be on the field at all times.  WR/S Jeremy Williams had 7 picks last year.  The Rangers will count on him again this year as the front 7 will be young.  Team MVP Louis Nichols graduated.  Those will be some big shoes to fill, but Justin Corrello, Earl Lawson, and Willie Kelly will try their best to hold down the front 7. 

Rangers Notable Games: 2 of the Rangers' biggest games will be county rivals Terry and Hinds AHS.  These two schools are not even in the same region as Raymond, but everyone knows everyone at these schools so bragging rights are on the line.

Rangers Coach's Key To Victory: Coach Granberry arrived at Raymond 3 seasons ago.  Before he arrived, Raymond had a 26 game losing streak.  The Rangers lost 5 games last season by a touchdown or less.  That 3-7 record could have easily been an 8-2 record.  Things have been turned around so quickly in Raymond that a .500 record or better is not out of the question.  To get to that mark the Rangers are going to have to run the ball with some success.  The Rangers rushed for just under 2,000 as a team and they will need to greatly improve in that area.

Rangers Schedule

Aug. 22               McLaurin Jamboree         Away

Aug. 29               Terry                                   Away

Sept. 5                St. Joe                               Home

Sept. 12              Hinds AHS                        Home

Sept. 19              Crystal Springs* (HC)      Home

Sept. 26              Hazlehurst                          Away

Oct. 3                  Laurel                                  Away

Oct. 10                Collins*                               Away

Oct. 17                Magee*                              Home

Oct. 24                Richland*                           Away

Oct. 31                Bailey*                               Home

*denotes district game