At Raby, it starts behind closed doors
Looking to remain a force in 4A, Raiders are locking themselves in as a team
High school football practice started across the state Monday, with three weeks of intense, physical preparations in store for every team. But things at Raby are on another level.
Raiders coach D’Angelo Dereef has a special way in which he starts the season and bonds his players: a five-night lock-in at the school. It’s just the players and the coaches, no phones or distractions. The players sleep on air mattresses in the gym, and Dereef sleeps on the couch in his office.
“We might go lift weights at midnight,” Dereef said. “It is hell week, not heaven week. It’s a training camp like the Bears or Illinois. It is a real training camp.”
This is the fourth year Raby has had the lock-in. Originally it was three days, but it was expanded to five.
“The lock-in is what made this program rise,” senior defensive back Romel Goston said. “We don’t have money to go out of town and get away, so we get away where we can, our school. We get to know one another, talk about our lives. We dig deep and bond.”
Added senior defensive back Dontay Givens: “The first year it was a big shock, being away from home. But it is great. Guys spend all night talking about what their childhood was like. It’s great to hear about how a person is outside of football and what makes them tick. I’ve seen the hardest, toughest guys sob and cry. I’ve seen every guy that has been here for more than a year cry. It’s real transformative — you understand what everyone is going through.”
With that level of connection, the Raiders have become a remarkable success story. Raby has five alumni playing major college football and last season became the first West Side team to advance to the state semifinals.
Though the Raiders have become a Class 4A powerhouse, the regular season will be more challenging now that they’ve moved to the Illini Heartland conference. This year there are 27 players, similar to last season. Goston was an all-area and all-city selection last season, signing with Northern Illinois. The other known standout is wide receiver/ safety Marshon Foster, who signed with Western Michigan.
Most of Raby’s offensive stars from last season graduated, so there are several holes to fill. Goston says to watch out for quarterback Theon Davis.
“He has a chip on his shoulder,” Goston said. “He came in and played well freshman year and then had some off-the-field issues and lost his place. But he’s back, and he’s going to dominate.”
Two-way linemen Paul Allen and Trevon Hill provide a strong foundation at the line of scrimmage. Senior Avyon Hodges is ready to step in as starting running back. And Dereef says junior running back Trayshawn Toliver is “going to be something special.”
Raby is on the map now, going from a small unknown to starting the season in the Super 25 rankings. That brings new challenges.
“We will beat whoever is on the field,” Goston said. “If it’s our moms on the field, they have to take a loss. We have turned it up a notch now that we’re in the top 25. The bright lights are on us now.”
Want the latest information and analysis on high school football? Our preps team of Michael O’Brien, Beth Long and Annie Costabile will share all the latest news, insights and weekly Super 25 rankings in a new livestream show called “Sun-Times Game Week.” There will be a preview show at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 20. The regular-season show will be at 6:30 p.m. every Monday starting Aug. 27. Like and follow our high school sports Facebook page for coverage and to watch the show on Facebook Live. You also can ask questions using the hashtag #suntimesgameweek.