Shane Bird
& Alex Spears
Ravenscroft senior standouts

Ravenscroft seniors Shane Bird (left) and Alex Spears know this year's expectations for the Ravens aren't as high as 2008's. With the loss of several key players — a handful of which are now playing collegiate ball — off last year's 10-3 squad, it's realistic to think Ravenscroft is in a rebuilding mode. But the duo — and their teammates — dedicated themselves this past off-season to not just rebuild, but reload. With a demanding non-conference schedule, Bird and Spears believe the young Ravens should be a force come playoff time.

With the loss of so many players from last year's team, what are you guys trying to do entering this season?
Alex Spears: We are looking for new leaders.
Shane Bird: And players who are looking to work, hit and play tough.

What do you like about this group?
AS. I think we have a lot of guys — who maybe unlike past years — are a little more spirited. They want to win. They put in the work in the weight room this summer. All the new guys playing have been putting in the work this off-season.

What is the strength of this team?
AS: Defense.
SB: It was last year, too.

Name a couple standouts on defense? What unit has looked good?
AS: The secondary has looked very strong.
SB: We have a lot of speed back there.
AS: We have some fresh faces, too, like Jake Morin, who is definitely going to contribute.
SB: But our whole team looks good all around.

Is there a game on the calendar that you guys have circled?
AS: Easily, Gibbons.
SB: Definitely, Cardinal Gibbons. They are our rivals.
AS: But Charlotte Country Day, and any Charlotte schools are big games for us. Last year's Louisburg game was a big one, too, and we are looking forward to playing them. Last year's game was really physical. They had some big-time rushers last year, and we were able to stop them.
[Editor's note: The Ravens visit Louisburg Aug. 28, and Charlotte Country Day Sept. 25.]

Being physical is something you pride yourself on, right?
AS: Definitely.
SB: We always want to be more in shape than the other teams. That's what the coaches put a lot of emphasis on.
AS: In the weight room, Coach [Ned] Gonet is always telling us to remember the Louisburg game, remember the Providence game. And then he will tell us to remember the Christian game when we got just killed. We came out strong, but finished well. He uses those games to motivate us.

What is something you guys need to improve on heading into the season?
SB: We have a sophomore QB [Quinn Billerman], but he's going to be good. He definitely has a bright future.
AS: We need more experience, but that takes time.

What are your expectations for this group?
AS: Last year, after the season, everyone said we'd be down this year because of all the seniors we were going to lose.The whole summer we have been trying to prove that wrong.

What are your personal goals?
SB: A state championship is always the first goal. But we will have to work really hard to get to that point though.

The Ravens don't have a bye week during the season. Does the season start to wear you down because you don't have a break?
AS: The season is already wearing me down. [Laughing]
SB: This week is definitely the toughest because of two-a-days. But when you get into the same routine with school, it gets a little easier.

Former Ravenscroft players Stephon McQueen and Antwan Harris have returned to coach you guys. How tough are the former players on the team?
AS: They are definitely tough on us.
SB: But they are good coaches. They have so much experience.
AS: Anything they tell you, you have to listen to. They know what they are talking about.

To open the 2009 football season, Bird, Spears and the Ravens host Northern Vance Friday, Aug. 21.