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VANDERBILT – Ryan Richter has his Thursday dinner plans set for the rest of the football season. He also knows who his date will be for those meals.

Richter, a senior linebacker and running back for the Industrial Cobras, and his teammates are starting a new tradition of meeting to eat together before every game this season. He believes having team meals the day before games will strengthen the bond and could translate into more wins for the program.

“We’re all real close friends,” Richter said of the Cobras. “We haven’t always been this close on the football team, so being together on Thursdays will help us. It’s just another way to be closer.”

Industrial has 16 seniors on its team this season. They are expected to step up and be leaders.

“I’m real proud of how our kids are coming together,” Industrial head coach Doug Kuhlmann said. “We have a great group of seniors. As soon as the offseason starts we consider them seniors. They’ve been in that position for a while now, and they’ve done a great job as leadership goes. They’re giving our younger kids an example of how to get out here and work out in tough conditions, and how to do it in a positive way.”

While leaning on senior leadership is not uncommon in high school football, Industrial’s seniors believe it is something that was lacking at the school the past couple of seasons. The team went 2-8 overall last year, including a 1-6 in District 28-2A record. For that to change, the Cobras say it will take everyone believing and working toward the goals they have set.

“Our main goal this year is to go to the playoffs and a few rounds,” senior tackle Robbie Riehs said. “We really want to come together as a team. We need to play good on defense and offense at all times. Everyone is flying to the ball and giving a lot of effort.”

Riehs has embraced his role as a leader and isn’t willing to let anyone on the team slip.

“We’re really trying to treat everyone like they’re family,” he said. “We’re all working together and has each other’s backs. We all know we’re willing to fight for each other. We didn’t really have the best leadership last year, so we’re all trying to step up. That’s what we need.”