Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, October 30, 2014, Pages 1 & 6

The victory over Southeast Warren Friday, October 24 marked the 100th win for co-coaches Derrick (sic) Lambert and Delwyn Showalter.

When asked if the 100th win lingered over him this year, Coach Showalter stated he had thought about it when working on the media notes and updating the career record. He didn't think about it again until last weekend when he saw the number was at 99.

"To be honest, that was the last time it crossed my mind until the ice water hit me on Friday!" said Coach Showalter.

"I thought we had a chance to get there this season," said Coach Lambert, "but truthfully I didn't even think about it Friday night. The coaching staff and players have been so focused on just getting better each game that it hadn't even been discussed."

As the clock ran out Friday night, some of the players grabbed the ice water and ceremoniously dumped the water over the heads of the two coaches. Smiles, hugs and handshakes were shared with the coaches and players alike as they all realized the significance of the win.

"I am thankful for the opportunity to work with coach James Smith for my entire time here in Mount Ayr," said Showalter. "He has been a vital part of this program for so many years. The coaches that I work with are my brothers, my sons and my friends. They are a great group of committed and caring people. Coach Lambert, I'm not even sure where to start talking about him. It has been such a privilege to work with him, and people have no idea how much he cares about these kids and how much he does for them."

As a coach who is always looking forward and focused on his next win, Showalter shared what stood out most about the 100th win. "I have no time to reflect on it right now," he said, "but the thing that stands out to me is all the great players and coaches I have been fortunate to work with over the years. The credit for the wins should really go to them. They are the reason we have had success."

The duo are now 36 wins behind the legendary Raider coach Joe McNeill.

This season has also been a record-breaking season for the team. The team broke another record Friday against Southeast Warren, scoring 79 points in the game. The previous record was held by the 1922 Raider team that scored 72 points in a shutout against Lenox. The team has also set the record for most points scored in a season with 444 points in nine games. The previous record was set in 2012 with 395 points in 12 games.

Coaches Showalter and Lambert have also taken the team to nine post-season appearances out of 14 total.

"I appreciate the recognition for the 100th win," said Coach Showalter, "but right now we are focused on trying to get to 101!"

Lambert, Showalter and the Raiders faced Colfax-Mingo at home Wednesday night in the first round of the Class A football playoffs. Should they win, they will play again at home Monday, November 3 against an opponent to be announced following Wednesday's contests.

[Page 6] Not too often do two coaches from a small town in southern Iowa build a program that is truly inspirational and dear to the hearts of a community. Mount Ayr Raider football coaches Delwyn Showalter and Derek Lambert have built that type of program for the people of Ringgold County.

The dynamic duo started their journey together for the Mount Ayr Raiders in 1997. Since then, they have coached over 200 athletes, obtaining a winning season every year and won 103 games.

On Friday, October 24 the two coaches achieved the honor of getting their 100th win. Both coaches were very surprised to receive the recognition and award on that fresh cut grass and those bright stadium lights Friday night.

Coach Showalter knew at the beginning of the year that they had a chance of getting the 100th win, but he didn't think any more about it until they dumped the ice water on him. Coach Lambert also knew that they had a chance, but throughout the season he didn't think about it because he was so focused on the team.

When asked about how it felt to receive such an honor, Coach Showalter stated, "It was so humbling to realize how many great players and coaches have been a part of those 100 wins. I feel so fortunate that they took me along for the ride!"

Coach Lambert replied, saying, "One of the biggest honors was having Coach Still present the award. He is truly a mentor to both Coach Showalter and me. I believe he is the reason that Raider football is so successful today because he brought back the pride and passion to this program."

Being a successful high school football coach is not always the easiest task, but these two men have truly made it look like a piece of cake. When the two coaches were asked about their inspiration for coaching this team, Coach Showalter stated, "My inspiration is just trying to help them get better every day, to become better football players and better men. I am really privileged to carry on the tradition of Raider football, and I want to make sure we do things in a way that makes all the former players and coaches proud."

Coach Lambert replied, "The growth that the seniors have made from their freshman year is what inspires me to keep coaching and work with the kids. We thought some of the seniors who came in as freshman four years ago had no chance to step on the field, but now they are a huge part into why we are having so much success."

After coaching numerous athletes, breaking six clipboards, putting in hundreds of hours in practices, team dinners, and games, and bringing Raider football to life, these two inspirational coaches have truly given Ringgold County a program that will be dear to not only past football players but to the hearts of this community forever.

Photograph courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, January of 2015