Order your 2008 Cougars Playoffs Run DVD!

Order your 2008 Cougars Playoffs Run!

All the highlights from Tupelo, South Panola, plus interviews with coaches, fans and players.

Contact Barin von Foregger to order your copies.

$20 each

Steak Dinner!

Plans are under way for the Varsity players and coaches to be fed a steak dinner this Thursday, November 20, 5 p.m., in the high school cafeteria. At this time, it is believed that BankPlus will sponsor this dinner!

We are very fortunate to have such a giving entity in our midst. More details will follow. Joel Ross of BankPlus is, however, planning to make this happen through Steak Escape. Keep your fingers crossed.

Parent volunteers will be needed to set up the tables, bus them, and help with clean up.

Thank you!

Next: South Panola

Photo courtesy Keith Warren

I've heard of folks being saved in life ... you know ... finding something to believe in and have faith in. Well, on Friday night at Cougars Stadium as Northwest battled North-Half powerhouse Tupelo, I became a believer!

From kickoff to the final buzzer in overtime, the game with the Golden Wave was worth the price of admission ... and then some.

Hats off to Marcus Gibson and the defense. Gibson had taken heat all week prior to the game in the media and among the coffee-shop quarterbacks. But, after the Cougars pinned their ears back and gave Tupelo everything it could handle, Gibson and the rest of the Cougars 'D' exclaimed to all doubters, "How ya like me now?!"

Although the game was a sweet victory for all involved with the Northwest Rankin football program, the task at hand is not complete. Next up for the Cougars, the team that hasn't lost since 2002 in the state championship game -- the South Panola Tigers from Batesville.

As this week begins, and the coaching staff and players focus on moving one step closer to a state championship, I can't help but think of the New Orleans Saints from 2006. A team that was always under the radar and never given any respect. That year, a rookie by the name of Reggie Bush joined the team, and in one game, created a spark that would eventually turn into an NFC South Championship, and one game away from the SuperBowl.

Three words were spoken by Bush that motivated every player and coach on the New Orleans' staff to believe that anything is possible.

Break a Heart!

Let the nonbelievers and the doubters come into every game with our beloved Cougars with cockiness and disrespect ... I promise you they will leave with a broken heart!

The Cougars are embarking on a piece of history on Friday night ... let your voice be heard and support the young men who have made the 2008 season one that will never be forgotten! Help them give the Tigers 48 minutes of hell ... hit 'em hard, get back up, and hit 'em again!

Nothing is Impossible!

Impossible is Nothing!

Get fired up!

Photo courtesy Keith Warren

Whether you are a parent or a player, it's time to light a fire under all our backsides and get ready for a very good Tupelo team!

On Friday night, we won't see a team like anything we've seen this year! We'll see a team with 6 players who can potentially play at the D-1 level. We'll see a team that is hungry to get back into the State Championship hunt. We'll see a team that played the 'beatable' South Panola to a 1-point loss.

The last two weeks have made me scratch my head about what the Cougars want in 2008. We came out soft and lackluster in the first halves of each game, allowing something that we've had all season to get away from us -- momentum. This will not happen again!

We have stables full of playmakers and boys who want to hit someone hard! This week, the entire team and coaching staff is focused on the task at hand ... Beating Tupelo!

This is our first step towards a state title! Tupelo should be on everyone's mind, and how we are a better team than the Golden Wave! We will focus on how we are going to shut down their offense with a Cougars Defense that has proven to be among the best in the state.

Nothing is impossible! Impossible is Nothing!

Victory becomes, to some degree, a state of mind. Knowing ourselves superior to the anxieties, troubles, and worries which obsess us, we are superior to them.

Let's not leave anything on the field this week! All or nothing 'til the State Championship comes to Northwest Rankin High School!

Varsity Boys' Breakfast - Thursday, November 6

All varsity players (10th - 12th grade) are invited to attend a pre-game breakfast Thursday, November 6, at 7:15 a.m. under the pavilion. Bring your appetite! This is sponsored by the proud sophomore parent team.

Senior Night, Nov. 7

Please plan on being on the field by 6:20 p.m. this Friday, November 7, before we play Murrah to walk with your son for Senior night.

Spirit Night at Backyard Burger

Don't forget to join us from 5 - 10 p.m., Tuesday, October 21, at the Flowood Backyard Burger. With a special flier presented upon purchase, the store will donate 15 percent of the proceeds to the Booster Club! Plus, we still need some of the players to come out wearing their jerseys and wait tables for tips. All they have to do is deliver the food to the table - and ask for money - not a hard thing to do in these tough economic times, huh? I know there are guys on the team who can overcome that little fact and wriggle some cash from the customers. Hope to see you all there!

No JV Game October 13

The JV away game against Brandon has been canceled. Our last game will be an away game against Terry on the 20th. Go Cougars!

Web site is up-to-date ...

OK, parents! I got your hint that you were DYING to see some updated content on the Cougars (See what a week in Los Angeles will do to a Web site!) ...

The photo galleries are updated (thanks Darryl Ballard) and the varsity schedules have been updated, so you should get any erroneous information from NWRFootball.com

Aiyeeeee!

GAME TIMES ALL 7 P.M.!

Please disregard what is printed in the program on game times. Starting with our Provine game, all game times for the rest of the season are 7 p.m. Please pass it on. Thanks!

Webmaster returns from L.A.

Just to let concerned parents know that I have returned from Los Angeles and will address all Web content as soon as possible.

;)

Thanks for your comments! LOL!

Go Cougars!

October 9 Varsity Dinner Invitation

All 10th - 12th grade varsity players are invited to dine at KFC in Dogwood from 7:30 - 9 p.m., Thursday, October 9. It's a buffet, so come hungry. Coaches and managers wanted too! The Sophomore parents hope you enjoy the food and guest speaker. Go Cougars!!!

Football Merchandise on Sale

All current football merchandise is on sale! Take advantage of the great prices and show your NWR pride.

T-shirts - $10
Caps - $5 and $10 (depending on type)
Visors - $15
Magnets and keyrings - $2
Seat cushions - $10

Contact Dani Edmonson to hold your order. Please be specific on T-shirt sizes. daviddani4@comcast.net

Coach Listing Online

http://www.nwrfootball.com/new/Coaches/

Take a look at those who are guiding our boys!

Thanks, coaches!

Varsity Dinner Scheduled for Thursday

All 12th - 10th grade players are invited to a dinner hosted by the Senior Parents this Thursday, September 11, 6:30 at the school cafeteria. This event is for the players, managers and coaches. Thank you!

September 8 JV Game

Please note the game time for the NWRHS JV game is 5 p.m., not 5:30 p.m. Thank you.

9th Grade Game Canceled September 2

Due to weather conditions, the NWR 9th grade game has been canceled.

This Field House is "CLEAN!"

All I can say to the group of parents that came out today for work day is, "wow." I'm not going to make the mistake of naming individuals to thank, as I'm afraid I'd leave someone out, but thank you to James Pullen for firming up the date and making things run smoothly! I would invite each of you to tour the pavilion and field house while it's still in the shape we left it.

You really couldn't smell sweat in the building by the end of the day - AND - we have awesome additional seating for the boys under the pavilion. The door to the laundry room is re-installed, the fan under the pavilion is fixed, most of the spiders in the weight room are gone, and all signs of bathroom usage (or abuse) have been erased!

Privacy and hygene elements were even added to the varsity bathrooms - we know it won't last, but it made us moms feel good. All major traffic areas are sterile if only for Monday. The grass has been trimmed, trash picked up and the cool grill moved in front of the pavilion for easier tailgating events (if needed). All I have to say to Sandy Bettiga is - you are the WOMAN! If you only knew what she encountered in one of the bathrooms! :-)

Anyway, here's just to say thanks. It was hard work, but fun. I know many of you would have helped if you could, so I thank you too. We need to do an exercise like this on a regular basis. Coach and his staff cannot do it all - he does laundry all weekend!

I have another message to get out to everyone (several, in fact), but my right hand is too weak to continue - I'm a whimp.

Really, all of you there today, thanks. And again, wow. Dani

The Future is Now with the Northwest Rankin Booster Club

We expect great things from our 2009 NWR Cougars - 12th to 9th grade players. And they expect great things from us as parents. We support all players through food, entertainment, equipment, etc. all so they can make us proud NWR citizens. Make sure your son takes advantage of this very efficient way of Coach Coates getting timely information out to the boys.

Also, make a commitment now to be a part of the Booster Club so there will not be a time that we'll have to say "no" to a vital request from the team.

Thank you!
Dani Edmonson
Booster Club President

Coach Coates gets his own blog site!

From time to time, NWR head coach David Coates will add news, events and accomplishments from the Cougars Den! Click here to view the new site!

Contribution Drive Under Way!

If you haven't seen the Northwest Rankin High School Cougar Club members out and about seeking contributions to the program, you're one of the lucky ones.

Members are scouring the Reservoir and Flowood areas looking for support from businesses and individuals that enjoy Cougars Football!

Some ideas for upcoming events include game-time raffles, neighborhood sales pieces (player signs, etc.) and a drawdown event.

This is building into one of the best years at Northwest Rankin ... don't miss your chance to be a part of it!

Welcome, Northwest Rankin Football Fans!

This could be something fun for all involved with Northwest Rankin Football, including present and past players and parents of the program.

The Northwest Rankin Football Booster Club hopes everyone will use and enjoy the team's Website and blog.

Visit often and share your comments with others!

Go Cougars!