Richmond Senior quarterback Laron Ellerbe rolls out during a practice drill recently. Ellerbe will be the starting signalcaller for the Raiders when they take on Providence this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. to open the 2010 season at Raider Stadium.
Thankfully, he will get what he has been wanting all summer long Friday night.
The opening game of the Raiders’ 2010 season.
While the Raiders chances at a 2009 state title were ended last year by Charlotte Independence in the third round of the North Carolina Class 4AA state playoffs, Ellerbe has been waiting to prove that the Raiders are the best team in the state.
Ellerbe knows that just a few games separated he and the Raiders from a state title last year, and he uses it as motivation every day he steps on campus.
“That (game) is something that I like to keep in the back of my mind while I’m working out or training for the upcoming season,” Ellerbe said. “Just the thought of the loss that we took in the playoffs last year makes me work ten times harder.”
While the Raiders will have to wait until 7:30 p.m. on Friday night, Laron is constantly running the game through his mind while he is preparing for the upcoming season.
When it comes to Raider football, there is only one thing the players and coaches — and their legions of loyal fans — want year after year.
A state championship.
“We have been working hard both on and off the field all summer long. The things that we put ourselves through during the practice sessions, lifting and film studies are for one reason: To win a state title for the Raiders,” Ellerbe said.
When Laron lines up in the backfield for the Raiders, he has a certain level of comfort beside him in his cousin Walter Ellerbe.
Laron knows that no matter what, his cousin will be there beside him to help guide the Raider offense down the field, and that gives his mind some ease in the offense.
“Walter being in the backfield gives me confidence and comfort in the huddle and running plays,” Ellerbe said. “We have been playing together in the backfield since we were seven years old. He knows what I am capable of doing, and I know what he is capable of doing.”
While there is a high level of trust and respect between Walter and Laron, the Raider signalcaller knows that it takes trust for a team to come together and assemble a state championship run.
“Trust is the most important thing on the football field,” Ellerbe said. “It’s easy for this team to trust each other, not just Walter and I. We have been together for so long now, it’s like my second family out there and we all know that we can trust in each other.”
Every Raider team enters a season with high expectations, and this season’s edition is no different. Ellerbe is keenly aware of those expectations, and he knows he and his teammates have to prove themselves on the field.
Ellerbe and his fellow Raiders don’t plan to disappoint each other, their coaches or the fans.
“We don’t want to be known as the Richmond Raiders who had great talent and a good year,” Ellerbe said. “We want to be known as the team that won the state championship, and would not take anything else but being the last team standing in December.”
Contact sports reporter Travis Anderson at 997-3111 ext. 44 or via e-mail at tanderson@yourdailyjournal.com
Post a Comment
