Ready to start
Riverview looks to make noise in inaugural year
After posting a record of 8-2 in their last year of junior varsity, head coach Stuart Hill and the Riverview Raiders are ready for their first varsity season.
With 40 kids coming out for football this year, Hill believes this could be a special year. Talent abounds through each position on the field with the quarterback, running back and linebacker positions standing out to Hill.
At quarterback, the Raiders will use junior Grafton Harrell, and Hill expects him to be the leader of the offense, especially after a good 7-on-7 campaign. Hill is confident in Harrell’s abilities to throw the ball 20-30 times per game.
Senior Shawn McGahee will be responsible for gaining yards on the ground from his fullback position. A 300-pound bench presser, McGahee is one of the strongest on the team. The halfback positions will be filled by junior Dylan Chandler and sophomore Broderick McGahee.
Riverview’s three main receivers, junior Zack Feagin and seniors Billy Davis and Mark Hughes, are competing each day to see who will get the majority of passes to them in the coming season. All three had a good 7-on-7 season, and although they may not be the fastest receivers in the conference, they are good possession receivers, Hill said.
The offensive line is another comfortable area for Hill, since three players on the line have been with him since eighth grade — junior center Stetson Evans (6-2, 255), junior guard Matt Phillips (5-8, 185) and junior guard Ryan Williams (5-7, 185). Seniors Russ Mears (6-3, 315) and Draik Marsee (5-10, 255) will play the tackle position this year.
“Hopefully with the numbers being as good as they are, no one will be playing full time both ways,” Hill said. “Our goal is to use our numbers to our advantage.”
At defensive end, junior Chase Hunton was a standout during last season’s JV schedule with his size and speed. The other defensive end position is still up in the air, while the interior lineman position will be played by various offensive linemen.
Mark Hughes and sophomore Chayse Parson at middle linebacker, and Shawn McGahee, senior Dillon Swan and sophomore Dylan Johnson at outside linebacker look to be the strength of the Riverview defense this season.
Senior safety Isaias Thomas and senior cornerback Darren Meharg have locked down their positions in the secondary, while the other cornerback position is still up for grabs.
Riverview enters a conference with teams that are experienced in the playoffs. Harding Academy and Mayflower are expected to be on top, Hill said.
“After that I feel it’s wide open,” he said. “The goal is to make the playoffs like everyone else.”
This article was published Sunday, August 24, 2008.