GAINESVILLE — Opponents may want to catch Riverside Military early in the season -- because they could be a force by season's end.
The Eagles are working hard to get mesh their team into a cohesive unit after only receiving their full compliment of players in August -- as opposed to most programs that can work with a full roster throughout the spring and summer. And that roster may be one of the most talented Riverside has fielded in years.
New head coach Kelly Davis, an assistant at the school for the past three seasons, believes his team has the make-up to battle for a playoff spot in Region 8-AA -- though it must begin to gel early in the campaign.
The Eagles are undergoing a scheme shift on offense, opting for a Power-I ground attack, versus last season's spread base, and the Eagles are excited about their options at quarterback -- a two-horse race is developing between senior Kaseem Duke and sophomore Sean Allison (though Dukes will start the campaign).
Meanwhile, the defense features a strong front six, one that has been aided by the addition of defensive line coach Jon Fabris -- a longtime collegiate coach, including at the University of Georgia. That combination has Davis hopeful of improving on last year's unit that finished 12th in Class AA in points allowed (16.7 points per game).
RIVERSIDE: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Eagles
- TEAM COLORS: Blue and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-AA
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Kelly Davis, first season
- 2014 RECORD/ ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 3-7
- KEY LOSSES: ATH Chris Howard, WR JJ MCAllister, RB Mahlik Faulk, TE Avery Cagle
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Pro-I/multiple -- The Eagles will look to pound the ball on the ground but will also spread teams out to make use of their athleticism on the perimeter.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 7 returning starters -- Sr. QB Kaseem Dukes, So. QB Sean Allison, Sr. RB Brandon Taylor, So. WR Javon Thompson, Jr. OL Matthew Milhollan, Sr. OL Marius Crumley
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 3-3 stack -- Riverside will blitz and pressure throughout the contest, looking to force opposing QBs into quick decisions.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 5 returning starters -- Jr. DL Emannuel McNeil, Sr. DL Elijah Watson, Sr. DL Tavarres Hooks, Jr. LB Kobe Spicer, Jr. LB Miguel Meyer, Sr. LB Marius Crumley, So. Saf Javon Thompson
- SPECIAL TEAMS: PK/P Jordan Ainsley, kick returners still undecided as of publication time
- STRENGTH: Front 6 on defense -- Davis' eyes light up when he talks of the potential of his defensive front. The unit is both talented and athletic and coaches are constantly thinking of new methods to utilize the group.
- QUESTION: Offense/QB -- Thanks to a new base attack and the time needed to learn it -- combined with late enrollment and a new quarterback under center -- this side of the ball could take some time to gel. But there is plenty of talent available.
- KEY GAMES: The Eagles will look to make the most of their first two non-region contests, treating them as learning experiences while trying their best to win them (Riverside only received its full compliment of players in early August and is still meshing those players into a team with the goal of hitting stride for region play). Defending 8-AA champ Rabun County pays a visit on Sept. 18, opening the region slate with a bang. Riverside then has two more non-region games before the home stretch in 8-AA play.
- TRENDING: The Eagles are, annually, the toughest team to predict based on their enrollment, but coaches are excited about the talent currently on the squad, much of it experienced. In fact, this might be the most talented roster Riverside has fielded in years. Last season's 3-7 team made huge strides late in the campaign, and coaches believe they are ready to build on those lessons, despite the coaching change.
2015 SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 vs. Fellowship Christian
Sept. 11 vs. Hapeville
Sept. 18 vs. *Rabun County
Sept. 25 at Johnson
Oct. 2 vs. Strong Rock Christian
Oct. 9 at *Washington-Wilkes
Oct. 16 vs. *Oglethorpe County
Oct. 23 at *Greene County
Oct. 30 at *Union County
Nov. 6 vs. *Social Circle
* - Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2015/8/327873/2015-football-preview-riverside-military