Ravens Fans Rally for First Varsity Home Football Game

Royal Oak lost 55-22 to Avondale Friday night, but there was still plenty of excitement for the team and its new coach, Ryan Irish.

“They have work to do, but they are taking steps in the right direction,” said Jim Cole, ’s new athletic director. “The competition is so intense and you have to stay focused. Sometimes that requires taking baby steps versus giant leaps.”

Cole has been with the district only four days, but he is familiar with Royal Oak. He is a 1970 graduate of Royal Oak Kimball High School and the brother of Assistant Principal Caroline Krynak, who is a former athletic director.

“It’s nice to be back,” Cole said, after spending 30 years at Alma College. For the past 20 years, he served as Alma College’s head football coach and was also athletic director for two years.

Cole said he looking forward to promoting athletic programs and student athletes and trying to draw from coaches at the high school that are having success and passing it around in a positive way.

The Ravens are now 0-3. Next week Lasher hosts Royal Oak on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Bloomfield Hills. The Ravens will be back in Royal Oak on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. when they take on Hazel Park.

School Spirit

Before the football game, students, parents and staff, gathered in the high school for a Raven Rally. The hallways around the courtyard were filled with energetic students promoting clubs, athletics and school spirit.

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