Raiders Announce Schedule

Orange Park head wrestling coach Chad Parker has announced the schedule for the 2007 - 2008 wrestling season, and the Raiders will be challenged by the toughest competition the wrestling team has ever faced.

"This team has a great deal of potential.  What does that mean?  This schedule will help us find out.  In addition, for the first time ever, we have a full JV schedule.  This will insure our future, by preparing guys that aren't starters to be ready to carry the team when it's their turn," said Parker.  "We will be competing against some of the nation's best programs.  There will be no inflated records or egos, or a question of how tough we really are.  We'll know.  On a weekly basis, we'll find out."

The season begins with two duals, away at Poinciana (Kissimmee) and at home against Ocala Forest, on November 20th and 28th, respectively.  On December 1st, Orange Park will enter the Oviedo Duals, a tournament that features the 4-time defending 3-A State Champions Oviedo, and last year's 1A State Champion Palmetto Ridge.  Oviedo High School in its recent history has made a habit of being ranked nationally among the nation's top 40 wrestling programs, while Palmetto Ridge is fresh off finishing second in the nationally-acclaimed Disney Duals. 

Orange Park will return to the Orlando area to wrestle in the Winter Springs Duals on December 7th and 8th.  On December 12th, the Raiders will take on one of Clay County's best when they visit the home of the Ridgeview Panthers.  The annual Forrest Kiwanis Invitational on the 14th and 15th will be the team's only tournament appearance in the city of Jacksonville.

Following the Christmas Holidays, the Raiders will compete in the Valdosta Invitational, dubbed the "toughest tournament in South Georgia," on January 4th and 5th.  This tournament will be a homecoming for assistant coach Brandon Scott, who graduated from Valdosta High.  Senior night, the final home dual, will be against Fleming Island on January 9th.  Following will be the tough Flagler Rotary on January 11th and 12th. 

The regular season will wind down with two tournaments, the Ridgeview Duals and St. Johns River Conference Tournament on January 19th and 26th, respectively. 

The State Series will commence on February 1 with the 3A District 1 Tournament.  Wrestlers who place in the top four will compete on February 8th and 9th in the Regional Tournament.  Those who place in the top four will earn the honor of becoming a State Qualifier and competing in Lakeland February 14th - 16th for a chance to win a state championship.