Wayne Parzik didn't go so far as to call it the worst spring of his football coaching life, but there was no denying a pall was cast over spring drills this year at Ridgewood after the April death of James Priest, the expected starter at quarterback. But Parzik lauded his team for coming together in spite of the tragedy. It's a culmination of things. I think the kids realize we've finally turned the corner and we can be successful.
Some kids go through life and take it a little lackadaisical, like they are going to go on forever.
What happened to James was a real shock and brought everyone down to earth. This season, the Rams will honor Priest, who died April 13 from injuries suffered in an April 3 accident on U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, by wearing his No. 7 on the dress shirts they wear to school on game days, as well as on their helmets. And this spring, no one used the first locker in the first row of the locker room, a tribute to a fallen teammate. With coaches Pete Marin, John Luoma and Ricky Ladimir running the White team and Troy Cornwell, Sean Davis and Tony Gentile in charge of the Orange team, Parzik was left to concentrate on watching both. I was pleased, overall.