This is a Shawnee tradition. At the last practice before the season opener, dads give jerseys to the seniors and give a short speech about them. Andi Meeks received her jersey a day earlier than the other seniors because she had a soccer game Thursday and wouldn’t be at football practice.
“I told her I’m proud of her because of the kind of person she is,” Rick said.
Andi kicked a game-winning field goal as time expired in a 17-14 victory against Jonathan Alder last October. The Week 10 victory clinched Shawnee's first playoff berth since 2013.
A season later, Shawnee has high hopes of returning to the playoffs, and its senior quarterback, Robie Glass, is a big reason it should feel confident in a season that begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Greenon. Glass will put the knowledge he gained in his first two seasons as a starter to work in 2019.
“I learned I just can’t rely on my legs and my arm to do all the work,” Glass said. “I’ve got to rely on my teammates and everyone around me.”
» HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Week 1 Power Rankings
Glass has thrown 16 touchdown passes and rushed for 20 scores in the last two seasons. He has one Division I scholarship offer from Akron. Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Toledo and Kent State have also expressed interest.
Credit: Bill Lackey
Credit: Bill Lackey
Glass is being recruited as a wide receiver or defensive back, Rick Meeks said, but could play linebacker at the next level if he adds 25-30 pounds. Glass weighs 195 pounds now.
“He had a couple hits (in a scrimmage) against Valley View,” Meeks said, “and I was like immediately, ‘That’s going to be on film.’ He just came in flying. I wanted to say, ‘Robie, don’t do that again. I don’t want you to get hurt.’”
Glass played all of last season with a cyst on the end of his pinky finger. It affected his throws. He had surgery in the offseason to fix it.
“He was throwing without his pinky all year,” Meeks said. “He would get hit, and it would get inflamed, and he would get it drained and scraped out, and it would just continue. He’s good now. It’s healed. I expect him to have a good year.”
Top Week 1 games
Shawnee at Greenon: The Braves beat the Knights 49-21 last season. Glass threw two touchdown passes and rushed for 124 yards.
Springfield at Hilliard Bradley: The Wildcats beat Moeller 28-9 in a scrimmage last week and face Hilliard Bradley for the first time in the season opener. Bradley has made the playoffs three straight seasons.
» RELATED: Week 1 Schedule
Tecumseh at Fairborn: The Arrows blanked Fairborn 31-0 in the opener last season. The teams have played every season since 2003. Tecumseh has won 11 of the 16 meetings.
Kenton Ridge at Mechanicsburg: The Indians opened the season with a 54-14 victory against the Cougars last season and finished 8-3, earning their sixth straight playoff berth.
Southeastern at Northwestern: The Warriors have won five of the last six games in this series. A 49-7 victory in the opener last season started a 7-4 season for Northwestern. It reached the playoffs for the first time.
Week one schedule
Springfield at Hilliard Bradley
Catholic Central at Upper Scioto Valley
Kenton Ridge at Mechanicsburg
Shawnee at Greenon
Tecumseh at Fairborn
Southeastern at Northwestern
Worthington Christian at Northeastern
Mississinawa Valley at Cedarville
Graham at West Liberty-Salem
London at Urbana
Benjamin Logan at Triad
Stebbins at Greeneview
All games at 7 p.m.
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