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It's A Rush Being A Leader

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By DAREK SHARP

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2008

PLANT CITY - For some, the ability to lead their teammates is something that needs to be worked on, a skill that does not come naturally.

Ryan Rice does not have that problem.

The Durant High senior doesn't just lead the Cougars in rushing. He has become hands down the frontman at every practice and game.

When not using his combination of bullheaded intensity and good speed to charge his way for what Rice hopes is a second straight 1,000-yard season, he's like an extra coach on the field.

"He's got a standing offer from me: When he graduates, he can come back, anytime, and be one of my assistants," said Rich Maddock, Cougars junior varsity team coach and an assistant for the varsity.

What makes Rice dig into his role with a little more eagerness is that for a month last spring, his right to do anything on the football field was taken from him.

Rice got a little carried away in an on-school incident where he ended up roughhousing with a student.

"Just being stupid," Rice admitted.

Durant's coaching staff felt some discipline had to be levied and decided to suspend Rice from spring football activities. That meant Rice missed a month of practice and could not play in the spring game.

Rice admitted he needed the "wake-up" call.

Durant head coach Mike Gottman could not be happier with Rice's demeanor since the suspension.

"He's responded extremely well," Gottman said. "He's doing a great job."

Gottman especially appreciates the way Rice leads the team because it makes his job easier.

At practices, for example, Rice will make sure every player is in the right position.

And he will let them know if they aren't.

During the season-opening 25-6 win against Plant City, a game where Rice scored three touchdowns, when one offensive lineman didn't recognize the play, Rice walked up behind him and gave him some "encouragement" to remember next time - by slapping him on the backside.

"Yeah I'm pretty vocal. Sometimes too much and that's what got me suspended, but I needed that," Rice said. "I don't mind being a leader. We had a bad practice recently, and I felt 80 percent of it was my fault, so the next day I made sure to do a better job of being a leader."

Ultimately Rice is only worried about helping lead the Cougars to one place.

"The playoffs is where we need to go. We're good enough to be district champions," he said.

Reporter Darek Sharp can be reached at dsharp@tampa

trib.com.

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