Football: Randall downplays matchup against North
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
City bragging rights could be upstaged by a more personal issue Friday when Riverside King plays host to Riverside North in a Big VIII League game.
King co-defensive coordinator Lou Randall was dismissed as North’s coach in January after guiding the Huskies to consecutive Southern Section titles. But Randall, who said his firing was the result of a ‘philosophical difference’ with North Principal Dale Kinnear, insisted that he wouldn’t be seeking redemption when his Wolves (2-2 overall, 0-1 league) play the Huskies (2-2, 1-0).
‘It’s not that there won’t be emotion there because I do know those kids,’ said Randall, who led North to three section titles in his five years at the school. ‘But it’s trying to get ready for a football game and leave it there. ... It’s not about me. It’s about North versus King.’
Randall said he hadn’t spoken with any of his former players this week and that he didn’t expect to do so until after the game.
‘I think after the game when we shake hands with the coaches and the players I would do that,’ Randall said. ‘Those are kids I’ve coached and I had a great relationship with.’
Nonetheless, North reportedly suffered from academic and disciplinary problems under Randall, who was also criticized for not helping enough top players receive college scholarships.
‘I know there were some things he wanted to try to do differently,’ Randall said of Kinnear, who hired Scott Pearne from Yucaipa as the Huskies’ new coach. ‘I think I was doing things the way we should do those things, not that things were always perfect or that we didn’t have problems. It’s just the way things are today.
‘But I don’t want to dwell on that. That’s something that was last January and we’re in October now and I’m at a new school. I just want to play football and I don’t want to be involved any time North is brought up. I’ve moved on.’
-- Ben Bolch