Ridgeview High makes debut – on football field

Practice time is over, and now it’s game time for the Ridgeview Ravens.

“This is the beginning of the tradition here,” said Ridgeview’s athletic director and head football coach, Andy Coddins.

The brand-new $80 million high school in Redmond is starting its first year with no seniors. Coddins says there’s been a big learning curve during summer practices.

“This is going to be the first varsity experience for just about all of them on our squad,” said Coddins.

But what the Ravens lack in seniority they will definitely gain in the weight room; like everything else at the impressive new campus, it’s brand new, and the coach says it’s ready to build champions.

The Ravens’ first appearance under the Friday nigh lights also was a bit of a fashion show. Most of the kids are used to wearing Redmond High’s colors of maroon and gold — but Friday night, they donned their new black and purple.

The school’s communication specialist, Carmen Patrick, was already dressed for game day when I met up with her Friday afternoon. From head to toe, she was decked out in purple.

“We’re going to have school spirit like never before,” said Patrick.

Flying underneath the American flag, the Canadian flag was there to welcome the Ravens’ first opponents, a team that traveled all the way from Medicine Hat, Alberta in Canada.

“It’s going to be amazing — I hope it’s packed,” said Patrick about of big game.

She said she hopes the entire Redmond community comes out to support the new school — rivalry free.

‘You know, if Bend can do it, we can do it,” said Patrick.