We live in a great country and no I’m not the first to say that nor will I be the last, but it needs to be said anyway.
We should be thankful this week and every week because we enjoy, and sometimes take for granted, freedoms that most of the rest of the world does not.
This a good time to give thanks for a lot of things.
There are a many reasons that is the case, but let’s limit them to sports in the Mansfield area for this space anyway and there are many.
Shelby has one of the best students sections in this part of Ohio. The “Red Storm,” I think that is what they call themselves gives great support to their fellow student athletes. There might be a few less of them right now than there were a few years back, but they are still a solid cast and do a great job. I am thankful that they show so much pride in their school.
Plymouth is seeing a resurgence athletic programs. Their football team has been improved in recent years, their baseball team won the Firelands Conference title in 2012 and their boys’ basketball team is predicted to claim the title this winter. This reporter probably hears more from Plymouth students than any other and they are always supportive of their teams and I am thankful for that.
Outside of football, Lucas has really fallen on hard times athletically, but there is nothing more important in the small village than the Cubs and they are not bashful too tell you all about it. I for one am thankful they get behind their kids win or lose.
Mansfield St. Peter’s and Mansfield Christian are both small schools, but their fan base that supports them can be as rabid as any in the area. I love, and am thankful for, the atmosphere at “The Furnace” at Mansfield Christian.
You can talk about the football in Shelby or basketball at Mansfield Senior or volleyball at Madison, but from a historical perspective the banners on the wall at St. Peter’s tells you the Spartans have enjoyed as much, if not more, success than anyone. I’m thankful St. Peter’s supports their girls and boys equally.
Are there more crazy football fans anywhere than Clear Fork? I think not. Where else do you have to reserve your spot with a lawn chair days in advance. I’m thankful they can show their spirit.
Madison needed field turf for their football field and they got it because their community was excited and came out to support their student athletes and quickly got behind the project. I am thankful we live in an area where the community supports its school like that.
With their best season in 114 years of football, Mansfield Senior fans showed the tremendous potential that district has. It was like Chioke Bradley woke a sleeping giant and I am thankful that the program at the biggest school in Richland County is back on track.
Ontario has built a solid overall sports program. It used to just be Joe Balogh’s boys’ basketball program, but the football program has reemerged, the baseball program won back to back “NCC” titles and the girls’ programs have improved greatly, led by their soccer program that went to the state last fall. I am thankful the Warriors have come so far in so many ways.
Finally, I am thankful that Lexington takes in interest in all sports. That’s why the Minutemen are almost always the favorite for the “OCC” all sports trophy. They are not just good in basketball, but in tennis, boys’ and girls’, cross country, track and field and wrestling.
I guess what I’m saying is I am thankful for the ability to enjoy sports in Richland County.
After years of toil and sweat behind radio station microphones, longtime broadcaster, Jeff Swank joined the new generation of sports followers on the web.
Swank launched his internet radio station with nothing more than some wire, a box with some knobs and switches, and an itch to do much more than just scratch the surface of everything sports.
Richland Source is proud to introduce Jeff as a writer focused on high school sports. He will contribute a weekly column and analysis of a featured game of the week from one of our area high schools.
In addition to his work at Richland Source, Jeff provides complete high school sports coverage for over 70 Ohio schools at his web site, http://www.swankonsports.net76.net/.
