River View High School opened with a bang in 2010 making the state football playoffs three straight years.
Unfortunately for Raider Nation, the playoff well has been dry ever since.
After nearly snapping that drought a year ago, head coach Gary Roach is convinced a postseason berth is well within the grasp of the 2024 Raiders.
“We went 6-4 last year and was just outside the playoffs,” Roach said. “We lost three games by two possessions or less. We could have been 9-1, but it took awhile for this group to believe we had a good team.”
Much of the self-doubt came from a winless campaign in 2022 prior to Roach taking over as the head coach.
Now River View heads into the season with the confidence needed to extend the season into the Class A playoffs.
“We lost three starters from last year and one that played quite a bit, but I feel like this season can be an even better season than last year,” Roach said. “We have plenty of skill players and our five up front are solid. We are looking for that sixth or seventh guy right now.”
The five guys in the trenches will include senior Hunter Church at left tackle, junior Tristan Mullins at left guard and senior center Travis Bailey. Senior Ethan Quinley will play right guard and the right tackle position will belong to junior Landon “Cornbread” Stamper.
Should the Raiders need another skill guy on the outside, Bailey, who is 5-foot-11 and 267 pounds, would likely volunteer to make the move.
“Travis always wanted to play receiver,” Roach laughed. “I put him in, we throw it up to him and he head-tops a kid. The whole sideline met him over in the end zone. Then he puts it on his HUDL.”
Senior P.J. Coleman and junior Coltin Rowe are also in the mix for playing time along the line as well.
“We are approaching these scrimmages as preparation for injuries that might happen this season,” Roach said. “All of those guys will be bouncing around.”
The big task for River View will be replacing all-state quarterback Jackson Danielson who combined to run and throw for over 1,300 yards and 20 touchdowns.
“James Kennedy will step in at quarterback. He will be a senior and was the backup last year,” Roach said. “James took the starting reps until Jackson moved over here, then James went to running back and receiver. His main thing is defense at linebacker, standing 5-foot-8, 190 pounds and stocky.”
Chanton Davis will be the workhorse in the backfield along with Branton Stacy.
“Chanton Davis will be our work-horse. He is pound-for-pound the strongest, toughest kid I have ever coached. He reminds me a lot of Jeremiah Johnston that I had at Richwood. He runs hard,” Roach said. “Chanton is a brute. He gave us the momentum against Montcalm last year.”
Dalton Stacy, who Roach feels should have been all-state a year ago, heads the receiving core.
“Chanton probably has the best hands on the team, so he will play everywhere,” Roach said. “We have so many freshman like Kaiden Baker and Aydan Garlic that can play receiver. Ethan Christian will be the next big name to hear. He is really fast and tough.”
Davis, Kennedy and sophomore Turner Addair will be the linebackers playing behind a solid defensive line.
“Turner is like a pit bull out there. I feel like the defensive line will be the best part of our team with a lot of depth there. Travis Bailey and Tristan Mullins will lead that group,” Roach said. “Our defensive ends will be athletes that can move around.”
A couple more players from the highly touted freshman class will join senior safety Kaiden Newberry and senior corner John Hess.
“Jeremiah DeLong will play safety. He was battling for the quarterback spot,” Roach said. “Peyton Lee will play corner and is one of the most natural d-backs I have ever coached. His dad was a great athlete at Iaeger when they were making playoff runs.”
River View opens with the McDowell County rivalry game hosting Mount View on Aug.30 before heading to East Ridge, KY in Week 2.
