GAINESVILLE — Riverside Military Academy football has experienced excellence on the field during its long history, typified by its winning the GISA Class AAA state title in 2005.
And it was the "excellence" of campus, facilities, and attitude that attracted new coach Nick Garrett from the far-reaches of California to take over an Eagles program looking to get back to those heights on the field.
Looking very much like he could still strap on a helmet and pads, and flashing an exuberant energy, Garrett said it was that one word that sold him on making the cross-country journey.
"I have a friend here that kept telling me about the school so when the position opened I inquired. In a word, 'excellence' is what comes to mind when you see everything that is here. That's the feel you get when you first drive down Riverside Drive. So I felt like it would be a great opportunity," Garrett stated.
It will also be a tremendous challenge as the Eagles have not posted a winning record since 2008 and have not advanced to the playoffs since 2009. In addition, Riverside must always deal with a constantly-shifting roster -- many of those players unable to attend summer workouts -- and a fall camp that begins later than most programs.
What is known, however, is that the Eagles will return some outstanding skilled position players in 2017, led by junior quarterback/wide receiver Isaac Teasley, senior receiver Charles Dimwaobi, junior receiver Khalid Duke, and senior running back Victor Pittman. Senior quarterback Cameron Mulvehill also should join the mix, which will give Garrett's new-look spread attack plenty of weapons to choose from.
"We have a lot of talent and speed on the offensive side, and we're going to try to utilize of them as much as possible," Garrett said. "We'll be a full run-pass-option (RPO) type of offense which puts the ball in our court a little more to pressure the defense."
However, a big question mark must be answered on both lines of scrimmage as the Eagles return just one player, junior two-way standout Harry Kim Wookdong, with any real varsity experience.
"That is a glaring weakness at the moment but we don't really know everyone we have available yet," Garrett said.
Playing in the ever-tough Region 8-A, which had six teams advance to the (public-private) split Class A playoffs and three reach the second round or better in 2016, Garrett already understands he will have to rebuild in the middle of battle. They open against two-time defending region champion Prince Avenue on the road.
"We're looking at that first game to kind of see what we have and what we need to do to be competitive in the region," he said. "What I have seen on film is that the region has a lot of well-coached teams and that there are no easy games in this region. Our goal is to build this program back up and get back to the playoffs.
"Football for us really just started this summer. We're ready to get going."
RIVERSIDE: NEED TO KNOW
- MASCOT: Eagles
- TEAM COLORS: Blue and White
- CURRENT REGION: 8-A
- HEAD COACH/RECORD AT SCHOOL: Nick Garrett, first season
- 2016 RECORD/ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 2-8
- KEY LOSSES: ATH Lyle Lopez, LB Miguel Meyer, PK/P Dmitri Burns
- OFFENSIVE STYLE: Spread -- The Eagles will go no-huddle in a run-pass-otion attack, looking to make the most of their athletes in the backfield and on the perimeter.
- KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS: 6 returning starters -- Jr. QB/WR Isaac Teasley, Sr. WR Charles Dimwaobi, Sr. QB Cameron Mulvehill, Jr. WR Khalid Duke, Jr. OL Harry Kim Wookdong, Sr. RB Victor Pittman
- DEFENSIVE STYLE: 4-2-5 -- Riverside will run a man-predicated defense with a lot of pressure coming from every angle.
- KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS: 2 returning starters -- Jr. DB Isaac Teasley, Sr. CB Charles Dimwaobi, Sr. LB Cameron Mulvehill, Jr. FS Khalid Duke, Jr. DE Harry Kim Wookdong, Sr. LB Victor Pittman
- SPECIAL TEAMS: Jr. PK/P Eric Penney, Jr. KR/PR Isaac Teasley, Sr. KR/PR Charles Dimwaobi
- STRENGTH: Leadership/speed -- Leadership could prove to be key for the Eagles, who return 15 seniors from last year's squad. The Eagles also possess more than a fair amount of speed at the skill positions to put pressure on opposing defenses.
- QUESTION: OL/DL -- The offensive and defensive lines could be a trouble spot with little experiece returning from a year ago.
- KEY GAMES: The Eagles will need wins against programs that have not put up huge win totals in recent seasons -- Towns County, Lakeview, Providence Christian -- in Region 8-A to have a shot at the playoffs. Providence Christian comes up in Game 2 (Sept. 1, away), while Towns County comes up two weeks later (Sept. 15, home). The season-opener against playoff power Prince Avenue could help a new staff evaluate what they have.
- TRENDING: Riverside has not posted a winning season since 2008 and last reached the playoffs in 2009. However, new coach Nick Garrett looks to have the energy and desire to try and rebuild the Eagles into a playoff contender. Garrett said more than two dozen players have taken part in summer activities, which is a high number for that time for the Eagles -- as many of their players live out of town, out of state and even out of nation. A competitive season on the field could help attract even more talent to campus in future seasons.
2017 SCHEDULE
Aug. 25 at *Prince Avenue Christian
Sept. 1 at *Providence Christian
Sept. vs. *George Walton Academy
Sept. 15 vs. *Towns County
Sept. 22 at *Hebron Christian
Sept. 29 at *Athens Academy
Oct. 13 at *Commerce
Oct. 20 vs. Georgia Military
Oct. 27 at *Athens Christian
Nov. 3 vs. *Lakeview Academy
*- Indicates region contest
(All kickoffs scheduled for 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted)
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/8/562492/2017-football-preview-riverside-new