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Ridgewood's Stagner Sets High Standard

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By CLIFF GILL Tribune correspondent

The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 12, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - Last season, Ridgewood High's football team had its best season ever. It went 9-1 during the regular season and averaged more than 350 yards of offense per game.

Unfortunately, the team's all-state running back, Byronell Arline, and four of its offensive linemen were seniors and graduated this spring.

This season, the offensive line has only one senior, Andrew Stagner. A starting center since his sophomore year, Stagner was named captain by Coach Chris Taylor.

"Andrew has been a great leader through his dedication at workouts, practices and games," Taylor said. "He is a first-class student in the classroom and on the football field who understands the right way to do things."

Standing less than 6 feet tall and weighing 200 pounds, Stagner is smaller than most varsity centers. His lack of size, however, is more than compensated for by his agility, intelligence and determination.

"Most people think of linemen as dumb and slow," Stagner said, "but linemen often have better footwork than the quarterback. You need quickness, strength and a variety of different steps to block defenders. Plus, everyone on the line must execute as one unit. We run 250 offensive plays at each practice, three times per week, with a walk-through on Thursday. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to footwork."

Echoing his comments is Kent Reed, who has coached Stagner at the middle school, junior varsity and varsity levels.

"I've known Andrew for six years," Reed said. "He is a very determined young man who is constantly striving for perfection. He never accepts failure in anything he encounters. Not only does Andrew want to be perfect at all times, but he'll demand the same of his teammates. As a result, people around him get better."

An Arizona native who began playing football at age 6, Stagner's determination was tested not just from those on the opposite side of the ball. He had to contend with a broken wrist and a broken ankle as a freshman.

The past two years, Stagner and his teammates' hard work have the Rams poised to return to the postseason.

"We are willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done," Stagner said.

As a reminder of the sacrifice required, Taylor named the offensive linemen "Trench Marines."

"We get down in the trenches and get dirty," Stagner said.

The desire to be the best he can be carries over into the classroom. Stagner's 4.53 grade-point average ranks first in his class. He also is taking Advanced Placement courses in English, Calculus II, European History and U.S. Government.

He also has a dual enrollment class in public speaking at Pasco-Hernando Community College.

"Andrew strives to do his very best at all times," said government teacher Stan Boles. "I'm amazed at how well he does in class with his very demanding schedule. It is always great to have a student that you know from Day 1 will be a success in this world. I would never retire if I had at least one class that all had Andrew's work ethic."

His workload at Ridgewood includes two to four hours of studying and reading on weeknights and several more hours of studying on weekends.

"I give up everything else," Stagner said. "A good education is the small price to pay for the large rewards you receive later."

In addition to his commitments to his grades and his team, Stagner volunteers to help new students. "Andrew is one of our SHARP mentors," said assistant principal Andy Kern. "SHARP is a tutoring program for ninth-grade students. Andrew is extremely dependable and has great empathy for the students he works with. His professional demeanor is second to none. The students look up to him. Overall, Andrew is one of the finest young men I know."

Stagner's peers agreed, and they voted him class president. He is also president of the Math Club, belongs to the National Honor Society, is a member of the math academic team and is a member of the Interact Club, which helps at school events. Last year, he was the calculus student of the year and has taken high honors courses the past three years.

Outside of school, Stagner volunteers as coach of the Port Richey Salvation Army football team. There, he teaches techniques and talks with the younger players about sportsmanship and character.

"After a good play by an opponent, I tell them to congratulate him by saying 'Nice play,'" Stagner said.

On Saturdays during baseball and soccer seasons, Stagner can often be found volunteering at the concession stand for the Knights of Columbus at the Hudson Recreational Center.

Next year, Stagner plans to attend either the University of Michigan, Georgia Tech, Central Florida or the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study aerospace engineering.

"My mother is an aerospace engineer, and my grandfather is a chemical engineer," he said. "My ultimate goal is to jump-start the NASA mission to Mars. I want to design the vehicles that travel to other planets."

Kern summed up the respect and admiration the faculty and coaches have for Stagner.

"With all the negative news that surrounds us today, Andrew is what's right with our teens," Kern said.

Teachers, coaches: If you would like to nominate an outstanding student-athlete to be featured in an upcoming In The Community article, contact Cliff Gill at

reportercliffgill@yahoo.com or (727) 860-4903.

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