In 1911, Ridgeway supported not one but two football teams: the high school team and a town team. The high school team played their first game of the year against Princeton, winning 5 to 0. “It was a very disagreeable afternoon as it had rained nearly everyday last week. it rained almost continually Saturday until about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then stopped be until about a couple of hours after the game was finished.” The Ridgeway team made the only score of the game in the first quarter.
It was a hard fought game: “The home boys were heavier than the visitors, but what the visitors lacked in weight they made up in speed, keeping the home boys guessing all the time to figure out the plays and get the man with the ball.” One Ridgeway player, Glenn Neff, quarterback, twisted his ankle in the second quarter and Gee Ragan substituted for him. “All the boys played excellent football and to give one prominent mention would be to neglect another who pulled off many excellent plays in their different positions.”
Ridgeway also had the town team to root for. They were to play their first game against Graceland College in Lamoni that Friday. “Several of the boys in the team have never played football before, but but they are learning fast and making a fine showing.” The high school team and the town team had been holding scrimmages against each other to practice. (Ridgeway Journal, Oct 5, 1911)
