Prep Football Preview: New coach and new approach for River View in 2023

High school football will look a little different in Bradshaw this coming season.

Gary Roach has taken the helm as the head coach for River View, bringing his spread offense to replace the former Wing-T attack.

“I feel like we can be a solid football team because out of the 32 players that we have, 25 were in the weight room every day. They all came to the summer offseason 7-on-7’s as well,” Roach said. “Going from a wing-T to a spread offense, you need guys there in the offseason. You can’t teach that the first two weeks of August. They have bought in and I feel like we are ahead of the game.”

Prior to coming to River View, Roach had a short stint as head coach at Richwood and was also the offensive co-coordinator for the Lumberjacks. Last season he was on the staff at Wyoming East.

During his time at Richwood, offensive efficiency was at a premium. Now he hopes to bring the same wide open attack to McDowell County.

There is no doubt that on paper, the offense has the potential to be something special.

“This is the biggest line I have ever coached and we only have one senior lineman overall,” Roach said.
“I feel like our line can be solid if they play the way they can for their size.”

Blake Matney is the lone senior and he will play right guard. Junior Hunter Church will play left tackle and sophomore Tristan Mullins will man the left guard spot.

Junior Travis Bailey will anchor the line at center, while sophomore Landon “Cornbread” Stamper will play right tackle.

“With how I run the spread, I like spreading the field with my skill players. The bigger and heavier lineman I use on the interior. I like my tackles to be able to pull,” Roach said. “Hunter is an athlete that plays on the basketball team. Cornbread is 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, but he can move as well. He is one of those Coalwood boys that has been eating beans and cornbread since he was two. He has a full beard and he is a man.”

If the line can do its part, the Raiders have a dandy at quarterback in dual-threat standout Jackson Danielson who came over from Wyoming East.

Last season Danielson threw for 1,253 yards and 11 touchdowns. He also ran for 747 yards and 17 scores. Danielson we also have four running backs to keep defenses honest.

“Junior Chanton Davis is our starting running back. James Kennedy will see some time and he is like a little bowling ball going down hill,” Roach said. “Kaiden Newberry is extremely fast. All three will be playing running back or receiver, while senior Hayden Jones will be our power back and lead blocker.”

Danielson will also have some potent weapons on the outside at the wide receiver position.

“Newberry had a great summer as a slot receiver. Jayden Lockhart is another basketball player. This is his first time playing in a couple of years, but he is a good possession receiver,” Roach said.
We have a new guy, Dalton Stacy, that didn’t come to any off-season workouts, but has worked his way up. Some guys just have that natural receiver make-up. Sky is the limit for him and he has potential.”

J.J. Cooper will be a familiar face for Danielson. He has a tight frame and played last year at Wyoming East.

Roach also likes what he has seen on the defensive side of the ball so far.

“I feel like our D-line can be the best part of our entire football team. They are big and led by Hayden Jones at D-tackle. He will cause a double team,” Roach said. “Cornbread will be at the other D-tackle position.”

Danielson, Kennedy and Davis will man the linebacker positions, but Roach has a couple of youngsters he is high on as well.

“We have a couple of freshman that have looked solid as well,” Roach said. “Turner Addair and Corey Lester have worked hard in the off-season.”

This year the Raiders have adopted a 288 mentality under Roach, which happens to be the number of miles from River View High School to Wheeling Island Stadium. Wheeling Island Stadium is the site of the state football championship games.

“The kids I have now, their uncles and dads were solid players on the 1997 Big Creek runner-up team and the semifinal Iaeger teams,” Roach said. “We want to add to the tradition.”

River View opens the season on the road the first Friday night of the football season at county rival Mount View.