Dixon: Ratings don't matter - just wins

GAINESVILLE - Rankings. Power ratings. Predictions. What do they mean to Riverside Military Academy football coach Doug Dixon?

Not a thing. Zip. Nada.

"I don't put much stock in those things," he said.

The Eagles, who come into Friday night's game against Flint River Academy, are rated No. 2 in the GISA I-AAA power ratings. It's the second of three straight road games for Riverside.

"The same people who put us in the ratings are the same people who predicted we would lose last week to Piedmont, so it doesn't mean anything. That's why we play the games: to find out who is good," Dixon said.

Riverside (3-0) is rolling, however, after whipping Piedmont Academy last week 31-0. Flint River (2-2) took a come-from-behind 14-13 win over Eagles Landing Academy.

Dixon said Flint River, which is in the same GISA I-AA region as Piedmont, will be their toughest challenge so far.

"They're better than the last two teams we've faced, no doubt," he said. "They run a lot of option with a split veer and have a good fullback they can hit you with up the middle with. They don't throw it much, but when they do, they're effective with it. They can put a lot of pressure on a defense and we're just going to have to play sound defense."

Riverside beat Flint River 24-0 last year, but Dixon expects a closer game this year.

"They're a much improved team, maybe one of the most improved in the state, so we feel it's going to be a tough test for us," he said.

For the Eagles, quarterback David Elam has been leading a potent attack. Chris Seymour has 9 catches for around 140 yards and 3 touchdowns over the first three games.

The Eagles are averaging 27 points a game, including scoring 69 points in the last two games.

"David has done a very good job of running the offense and Chris has just been outstanding as well,' Dixon said. "But just about everyone has played well so far. I'm very pleased."

It's the final tune-up before the Eagles get into their GISA I-AAA schedule, which could be the toughest in the state. They start Region 1-IAAA play next month.

Dixon says they need to get better each week to prepare for a tough region schedule.

"We probably have the two best teams in the state in our region - George Walton Academy and Augusta Christian - so we need to improve in certain areas if we want to be able to compete with them," Dixon said.