A few words with The GRIDIRON GODFATHER aka legendary Birmingham Brother Rice head football coach Al Fracassa on his team and the state-tourney opener on Friday against Port Huron.

On the 2012 Rice Warriors as a team;

"This is a typical Rice squad, lots of great kids and outstanding players proud of the opportunity to carry on this program's tradition of excellence. They want to craft a legacy of their own, like the team did last year when we won a state title."

On his defense;

"Those guys are getting a little better each week. We've got a bunch of aggressive tacklers with very good technique."

On Warriors' star junior running back Brian Walker;

"That young man is tough to bring down. He's got power and speed and sheds tackles extremely well. His legs never stop moving and that allows him to get extra-yardage after taking the initial contact."

On Port Huron senior quarterback Mark Chapman, the all-state signal caller committed to play his college pigskin in the MAC at Central Michigan that awaits the Orange and Black in the first round of the playoffs;

"Chapman is one heck of a super athlete and effective quarterback. We've watched a lot of tape on him and we're going to have to contain him if we want to win and move on. I've been seeing him in my sleep, that's how good he is."