MOORE — It would be hard to find someone with a tougher high school career than Vova Razryvin. In two years at Moore, he has seen his team win one game and lose 19. It’s hardly a breeding ground for confidence.
However, Razryvin enters the 2010 season with a fire in his belly to turn things around at Moore.
“It’s not for myself,” Razryvin said. “I am just going to go for the team. I want to do what’s best for the team. Not for myself. I will play any position they put me at. I don’t care if I play center or anything. As long as we win games, that’s all that matters to me.”
At times last fall, Moore fought to find consistency on the offensive side of the ball. With Razryvin getting his first start at quarterback, the Lions went through long periods where they not only couldn’t score, but couldn’t move the chains. Much of that was due to Razryvin’s and the offense’s inexperience. Now with a year under his belt at QB, Razryvin should have better command of the multiple spread scheme.
“I am a lot more poised in the pocket,” Razryvin said. “Just calmed down a little bit. I’m just trying to have fun. Last year we were all young. This year, I think we have 19 starters coming back. We’re just having fun.”
Razryvin will get the start at quarterback, but several other players will see time under center as Moore coach Scott Myers continues to make the offense as versatile as possible.
“I’ve been pretty open that we have three or four kids who can play quarterback that give us a different dimension,” Myers said in the spring. “Now we can do some things with Vova at the wide receiver position, the running back. Get some different looks.”
David Cowan will be the Lions main backfield threat, other than Razryvin. The 6-foot, 215-pound senior got the nod at tailback.
Razryvin will be throwing to a deep receiving core, that includes Grant Linstead, Brandon Eddins, Jordan Martin and Cory Reeves. Moore also returns Van Gray, Kevin Ross, Dakato Gilbert and Billy Wood on the offensive line.
Linstead, Martin and Cowan are all pulling double duty, starting on both sides of the ball. Most of the starters will be going both ways, as they did last season.
But the players believe they’re ready for it.
“I think our summer pride was a lot harder this year,” Razryvin said. “We went two hours non-stop. Coaches did a great job of running us a lot more. The kids have a better attitude this year than in the past few years. And it showed Friday (in a scrimmage) against Edmond North.”
Throughout the offseason and summer, Myers said the key to Moore finding success is believing it can not only compete, but win games.
“Our biggest focus and the biggest thing we need to have happen is confidence and learning how to win football games,” Myers said. “We think, physically, we have done the things we need to do with our kids. Our kids have done the right things to put themselves in the right position to give them opportunities to win. Now we have to go with confidence and do it.”
