The 2013-2014 Senior class of the Ritenour High School football team put the final touches on what was a historic tenure in this program.

On Feb. 10, five of Ritenour’s most outstanding football players committed to play football at a collegiate level.
Seniors Devin Alexander, Nate Rifkin, Adewale “Wale” Adeoye, Le’juan Berry and Marlon Griffin all signed with their respective college programs capping off what has been a very long journey,

Alexander and Adeoye signed with Division 1 programs with the opportunity for both of them to earn full ride scholarships.

Alexander signed with the University of Toledo in hopes to play safety on defense for the Rockets.

Adeoye signed with Utah State University and could move around to various positions due to his size.

“Football has always been my dream, the fact that I’m going D1 is such a blessing” Adeoye said.

The same goes for the other four seniors, each of whom have always pictured themselves on the big stage (Professional level).

There was a lot of thought that went in to the decision making process for each of these individuals.

“I always saw myself as an athlete growing up, in eighth grade I really fell I love with football,” Alexander said.
Alexander credits his motivation to the fact that he started playing football a year after most of his peers.
“I started in eighth grade, everybody else for the most part started in seventh grade,“ Alexander said. “I felt like I was always behind, that is really what motivated me.”

Football has always been a dream or a goal for all of these players, but in the end some see it as a path to a better future.

Adeoye has realized that at the end of the day, education is what is most important in life is.

“Football will end for me one day, I need to have a plan in place and getting the perfect education is key in doing that,” Adeoye said.

For Rifkin, making all those who helped him in the process proud was what was most important for him. That and the best education is what really determined where he will call home.

“Seeing people look up to you is extremely satisfying, I have always been my biggest motivator but making others proud is truly pleasing; also I am likely going to start as a true freshman. Not many people can say that,” Rifkin said.

Rifkin was only at Ritenour for one year, but during this time he established himself as one of the best teammates among all of his peers.

“Nate came in right from the start determined to make it to this stage,” Adeoye said.

Each of them are very proud of each other and expectations have been set at a high level.

“We expect a lot of each other, we all have the same belief that we play football for a reason,” Berry said.

Griffin shared the same belief that although they are sparating for the near future, they will one day meet again but on a larger scale.

“We are all doing what is best for our futures as individuals, as a kid I had dreams of playing football professionally, but I never fully bought into it until now,”Griffin said.

In the end, all these future Ritenour alumni are going to attempt to make Ritenour High School proud.

“I was able to earn the respect of most, if not all, of my peers once I arrived at Ritenour, I feel like it will be different but I will be able to carry the things I learned here to (Missouri Baptist University),” Rifkin said.