Middle River 7-9 Silver Interview

Coaches Tim Herd, Don Bailey, Antwain Nelson, and Josh Fortner began coaching together four years ago, as a 6-7 team overloaded with six year olds. Since that time, both coaches and players have come a long way, making it to Harford-Baltimore’s (HB) 6-8 semi-finals two years ago, and winning both HB’s 6-8 Championship as well as MDYF’s Division II State Championship at Morgan State last year.  

This year the now 7-9 Silver Middle River team is very confident for the upcoming season, they return almost all of the players from last year’s Championship team and only three players are in their first year. While experience at the 7-9 level is an issue for several teams, this is one of Middle River’s biggest strengths. Coach Tim’s team has six players entering their sixth year of football, some could play at the national level, but because of their relationship with coaches and other players on the team, the group has stuck together; seven of the boys even play basketball and wrestle together. 

The team camaraderie was improved even further in the offseason as many played indoor football keeping players fresh and in a football mentality. In past years the team played flag together, but sometimes grabbing a flag as opposed to breaking down to make a tackle teaches bad habits and can create timid players, something not tolerated with the Middle River Organization. 

While the coaches are competitive, their main focus is on teaching the kids proper football techniques and fostering discipline and teamwork. It helps that the Renegades have no selfish players and the most outstanding players are also the hardest workers. While MDYF watched the team practice, the intensity was high and the competiveness shown by the coaches translated to the players. 

Coach Tim mentioned that practice can get brutal some days due to the competiveness, but it helps out with toughness against opponents and once the team steps on the field, they play well as a unit. 

The Renegades take last year’s success with a grain of salt. They know that there is always movement between teams each year, so you never really know what to expect until the start of the season. The team is focusing on getting better every day and will face each challenge as it comes.  

“It’s all about this year!” Last year’s team beat every opponent by at least two touchdowns, and hadn’t been down until the Division II Championship game when GORC went up two touchdowns on the Renegades in the first quarter, before they rallied back to win the game in the second half. Coach Tim wants to be challenged from day one, so get ready HB!

Dalys Talley VP of the Middle River Organization set up this interview and brought Coach Tim into coaching. Dalys has been active in youth football for 14 years, during which he has coached in 11 HB Championship games and has won eight of them. Coach Tim and his staff watch and are advised by Dalys and the older age group coaches like Coach Donnie (8-10) to replicate what they do with his younger team. Thank you to the Middle River Organization, best of luck this year and we hope to see you at the Championships!