"Mr. High School Sports" - Friday Night Spotlights: Sto-Rox's Rippy Keeps Open Mind
By Matt Popchock
Sto-Rox linebacker Deaysean Rippy likes to keep an open mind.
A year ago at this time, most people thought eventual Class A Big 7 Conference champion Rochester would handle the Vikings comfortably. Although the game did end in disappointing fashion for the visitors, Sto-Rox gave the Rams all they could handle in a 35-32 loss, and it solidified Rippy's belief in his team.
As the 2010 season unfolded Sto-Rox had the look of a team ready to step into rarefied air until a frustrating first-round playoff exit at the hands of North Catholic.
Rippy doesn't see that as a setback for the program. He sees it as a reminder that he and his teammates need to learn from their mistakes in order to live up to their potential.
If the Vikings can claim a signature win against visiting Rochester in Friday's matchup for the conference lead--and perhaps, in the bigger picture, the conference title--they will have realized much of that potential.
Rippy has played a major role in helping Sto-Rox set the stage for this major Big 7 showdown. He's one of the premier linebackers in the WPIAL, he leads a unit that has allowed just 17 points in three decisive victories, and suddenly he's getting Division I offers coast to coast.
So where will he play at the next level?
Deaysean Rippy likes to keep an open mind.
"Mr. High School Sports" caught up with him and picked that open mind on which college(s) he might be leaning toward, on how important Friday's game is to Sto-Rox, and what makes these Vikings a unique bunch:
Podcast
For more on this and the rest of the big Week 4 games, be sure to check out the "Mr. High School Sports" blog Friday afternoon, and be sure to listen to "The UPMC Centers for Rehab Services High School Football Show," brought to you by ROOT Sports, Saturday at 7:00 A.M. on SportsRadio 93.7 The Fan.
(Follow me on Twitter: twitter.com/mpopchock)
