Today’s interviewee is Riverwood coach Robert Edwards, whose team defeated then-No. 4 River Ridge 44-15 last week in a Region 7-6A game. It was Riverwood’s first victory over a top-five opponent since 1983 (Marist). River Ridge is the reigning region champion, and Riverwood won a title the season before. Edwards, a former Washington County, Georgia and NFL running back, is 28-10 in his four seasons at Riverwood.
Robert Edwards, Riverwood head coach
1. What did last week’s victory mean to your team, and was it your biggest win at Riverwood? “The win against River Ridge meant a lot to the program because it shows that the program is continuing to move in the right direction. The win is in the top five, but the season of 2019, when we went undefeated to win Riverwood’s first-ever region title in football, was a landmark season for the school.”
2. What did your team do well that made the difference in the game? “The same as we have done all season – played selfless football and took advantage of each individual’s opportunity to make a play when it was their turn.”
3. You and your brother, Terrence, are both coaching and mentoring young football players, but in different ways. You’re a high school coach, of course, and he’s a private coach. What are the pros and cons of those professional routes? “Actually, we are both high school coaches. He’s at Pace Academy as their offensive coordinator [GHSF Daily failed to remember that. Terrence Edwards also is owner of the TE Wide Receiver Academy, which has developed several top college players.] I think we both just love the game of football. The game has given so much to us, it’s only right we respect that and give back the best we can. My opportunities have been here on the high school level, so I will always give everything I have in the moment that I am in. I approached my career as an athlete that way, so I will continue to do the same as a coach.”
4. Why do you think the Edwards brothers have chosen this profession? What were the influences in your lives that led you both into this profession? “There were many influences, starting with our parents. They taught us how to respect the game and the game will give back to you in many ways. We were mentored by a collaboration of coaches, from many different sports on different levels, that you cannot cheat the game and expect to reap success. The biggest thing I have learned from being an athlete and now as a coach is that relationships matter, and what you believe, a lot of times, determines what you can overcome, no matter the odds.”
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