[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
I remember when they first started calling us boomers.\u00c2\u00a0 We were the sons and daughters of the World War II generation, born in the euphoria of victory in the European and Pacific theaters of war.\u00c2\u00a0 The greatest generation that ever lived, our fathers and mothers, had just defeated two enemies in two different parts of the world.\u00c2\u00a0 Prosperity had returned.\u00c2\u00a0 There was a frenzy of activity.\u00c2\u00a0 Commerce was booming.\u00c2\u00a0 Homes were being built by the thousands.\u00c2\u00a0 Families were growing.\u00c2\u00a0 Mom and Dad were joining the PTA, church committees, local town councils and coaching their kid\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s teams.\u00c2\u00a0 The boomers grew up and had GenX\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ers.\u00c2\u00a0 The GenX\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ers grew up and had Millenials and if you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re a boomer, like me, you realize these 30 somethings are our grandchildren.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
When I wrote this, I had just interviewed new Catoctin football Head Coach Brady Ridenour and the next day, I learned that Coach Will Delawter had just been named the new Head Coach of the Catoctin Cougars varsity baseball team.\u00c2\u00a0 I was talking to an old coaching friend of mine and I called it a youth movement.\u00c2\u00a0 And then, I looked it up.\u00c2\u00a0 The average age of a high school coach is 35 years old!\u00c2\u00a0 Brady Ridenour is 32 years old.\u00c2\u00a0 Will Delawter is 38 years old.\u00c2\u00a0 When you think grown men with families are a youth movement, there is only one conclusion.\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the same conclusion that you make when you see what you thought was a teenager buying beer at the Sheetz.\u00c2\u00a0 They are not too young, you are too old.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”But, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll tell you what it really is\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.AN ALUMNI MOVEMENT and I like it!” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” title_text_color=”#000000″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Unlike recruited coaches from other areas, alumni have a shared experience with their players which means a deeper trust of a common legacy.\u00c2\u00a0 They can guide their players through the same challenges they faced.\u00c2\u00a0 They are teammates in spirit.\u00c2\u00a0 They share the team’s school history and pride.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Coach-Brady-Ridenour.jpg” alt=”Catoctin Football Head Coach Brady Ridenour” title_text=”Coach Brady Ridenour” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Brady Ridenour, Catoctin Football Head Coach<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Will-Delawter.jpg” alt=”Catoctin High School Varsity Baseball Coach Will Delawter” title_text=”Will Delawter” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Will Delawter, Catoctin Varsity Baseball Head Coach<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Doug-Williams.jpg” title_text=”Doug Williams” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Doug Williams, Former Catoctin Head Football Coach, 2009 state championships<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n When I sat down with new Catoctin football head coach Brady Ridenour, even though I am not a Catoctin alum, we shared a common history too.\u00c2\u00a0 We were both there on that fateful day in December of 2009 at the Baltimore Ravens NFL stadium, Brady on the field and me in the pressbox broadcasting his game.\u00c2\u00a0 It snowed eight inches that day and we had a tough time even getting to the game.\u00c2\u00a0 But, in the end it was more than worth it.\u00c2\u00a0 Coach Doug Williams held that State football championship up over his head, with his team beaming behind him and Catoctin had their first football championship ever!<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Every Catoctin football player who ever put on a Cougars helmet knows that story. ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” title_text_color=”#000000″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n They also know Coach Brady was there.\u00c2\u00a0 Brady plans not only to restore that Cougars pride, but to go back to the basics that put that trophy in the display case twice in one decade.\u00c2\u00a0 Brady has been an assistant coach on this team ever since they put the last trophy in that case.\u00c2\u00a0 The year after Coach Williams and his Cougars team won their second State football championship in 2019, Brady called new head coach Mike Rich and asked him if he needed any help.\u00c2\u00a0 Everyone knew that Coach Willliams had retired and Coach Rich was coming in to take over.\u00c2\u00a0 Coach Rich jumped at the chance to recruit former Catoctin star Brady Ridenour.\u00c2\u00a0 Coach Brady was excited to be back on the field with his Cougars as a coach in 2020.\u00c2\u00a0 But then, Covid hit and the season was over.\u00c2\u00a0 There was a year without football and then a strange shortened spring season and then everyone struggled to get back to normal.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Mike-Rich.jpg” title_text=”Mike Rich” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Mike Rich, Former Catoctin Football Head Coach, 2019<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”Now, six seasons later, Coach Rich has stepped down and a new chapter begins for Cougars football. ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” title_text_color=”#000000″ sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_heading][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Kurt-Stein.jpg” title_text=”Kurt Stein” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Kurt Stein, Oakdale Head Coach and former Offensive Coordinator<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n From Catoctin youth football, coached by his Dad, to offensive lineman coached by the legendary Doug Williams and then offensive coordinator Kurt Stein, Coach Brady comes from a championship pedigree.\u00c2\u00a0 He still talks to Coach Stein, who is coaching at Oakdale now and considers him a trusted mentor, especially now that they are both members of the fraternity of Frederick County varsity high school head football coaches.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n I asked him what type of team we could expect.\u00c2\u00a0 He explained that he wanted to go back to the basics and run a ground and pound offense.\u00c2\u00a0 It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not just old school tradition, but Coach Brady is excited about his running backs.\u00c2\u00a0 He has a bunch and they are good.\u00c2\u00a0 He plans to reinstall the old Cougars single wing and confuse the opponent with the legendary Pop Warner style offense that employs multiple sets and lots of misdirection, a perfect match for his big stable of running backs to keep fresh legs on the field.\u00c2\u00a0 He will look to his talented sophomore quarterback Chase Creiger to keep the defenses off guard.\u00c2\u00a0 After graduating his entire offensive line, the single wing will give his young lineman an advantage.\u00c2\u00a0 They won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to learn sophisticated blocking schemes that require multi-level blocks.\u00c2\u00a0 They\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll just line up and take it to the defense.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n I asked Brady what kind of coach he wanted to be.\u00c2\u00a0 He thought for a long time.\u00c2\u00a0 He mentioned Paul Dumars.\u00c2\u00a0 He mentioned Coach Nesbitt.\u00c2\u00a0 And then, with a sigh, he said: \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It would have to be Coach Williams\u00e2\u20ac\u009d\u00c2\u00a0 He was there for me when my Mom passed.\u00c2\u00a0 He would call me up on Sundays and send me Bible verses.\u00c2\u00a0 It was like he knew everything about me.\u00c2\u00a0 But, when I was struggling with losing my Mom, he was there and he was my friend.\u00c2\u00a0 That meant more to me, than anyone can imagine.\u00c2\u00a0 That\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the kind of coach I want to be\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.Dumars tough, Nesbitt compassionate and Williams steadfast.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_4,1_2,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/school_chsLogo.jpg” title_text=”school_chsLogo” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The Cougars open their football season at home against Thomas Johnson in a special Saturday 1pm game on September 6.\u00c2\u00a0 They play Boonsboro Homecoming Day Friday Sept 26 @ 6:30.\u00c2\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ekfbsekfbkrjgbjow.webp” title_text=”Gov TJ HS” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_heading title=”This season is about getting back to traditions. ” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” text_orientation=”center” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” text_text_color=”#000000″ text_font_size=”16px” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Remembering what it means to be a Catoctin Cougar.\u00c2\u00a0 Regardless of the outcome, Cougars play to win.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n WTHU will broadcast the opening game on September 6.\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0\u00c2\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll see you in the stands!<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I remember when they first started calling us boomers.\u00c2\u00a0 We were the sons and daughters of the World War II generation, born in the euphoria of victory in the European and Pacific theaters of war.\u00c2\u00a0 The greatest generation that ever lived, our fathers and mothers, had just defeated two enemies in two different parts of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"\n I remember when they first started calling us boomers.\u00a0 We were the sons and daughters of the World War II generation, born in the euphoria of victory in the European and Pacific theaters of war.\u00a0 The greatest generation that ever lived, our fathers and mothers, had just defeated two enemies in two different parts of the world.\u00a0 Prosperity had returned.\u00a0 There was a frenzy of activity.\u00a0 Commerce was booming.\u00a0 Homes were being built by the thousands.\u00a0 Families were growing.\u00a0 Mom and Dad were joining the PTA, church committees, local town councils and coaching their kid\u2019s teams.\u00a0 The boomers grew up and had GenX\u2019ers.\u00a0 The GenX\u2019ers grew up and had Millenials and if you\u2019re a boomer, like me, you realize these 30 somethings are our grandchildren.<\/p>\n","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-football"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":196,"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25\/revisions\/196"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fredcosports.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}