Eagles still in rebuild mode, but making progress

The biggest issue every year for the Eagles is a roster that seems almost always in flux.

That won't be any different in 2023 as coach Nicholas Garrett has seen players come and go during the spring and even into late summer as they get ready for their season opener at home against a resurgent Lumpkin County team that is coming off its first playoff appearance in nearly 10 years.

The Eagles lost the bulk of their offensive and defensive production with the graduation of nearly a dozen key players. The offense lost four of their top five playmakers totaling over 1,800 yards rushing and receiving. The defense graduated four of their top five defenders and over 200 tackles.

But the ever-positive Garrett is not one to let massive change deter him. It's a constant off Riverside Drive, and he already has several guys ready to fill the voids.

"There's not a lot of experience with this group, but we're excited about them as a whole," said Garrett, who did not get a full picture of his squad until this past week.

The Eagles had 30 show up on their opening day of fall camp, an encouraging number for a program still trying to climb out from a COVID shutdown in 2020.

"I was pleased with that turnout, and we have some guys back that can be really good," Garrett said. "We also have some new guys that have potential. But of course, the main issue for us will just be depth across the board."

Senior Jalen Freeman, who mainly played at wide receiver last year, will take over control of the offense at quarterback. Senior tackle Nathan Mwangi will anchor the offensive line, while junior and newcomer John Martin will man the center position. The rest of the line is a work in progress.

Sophomore Jacques Chiller, who played in New Hampshire last season and is "built like a truck," Garrett said, and senior Charles Pierce, a lacrosse standout for the Eagles last season, will be featured at running back.

"Nathan did some great things for us last year on the offensive line in his first year of playing football. Jalen will be our featured athlete," Garrett said. "He just won multiple gold medals in track and field this past spring, so we are excited about him returning for us as well."

Pierce and Chiller should anchor the linebackers, with Mwangi and Martin solidifying the defensive line. Freeman will lead a rebuilding secondary.

GRADUATION STINGS
QB Jeremiah Shaw, RB Rodney Robinson, RB Anthony Chirombo, WR/FS Wallace Kerr, RB Idan Azani, DE Zach Miller, CB Kennedy Goodgames

POSITIVE OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK
Garrett likes to try and exploit weaknesses in opposing defenses by mixing things up. They have some playmakers, but it may take a few games into the season to see its full potential.

RETOOLING DEFENSE
The Eagles also are not afraid to mix things up defensively and should have a solid LB group. Depending on the offense's look, they will utilize both odd and even fronts.

UNKNOWN STRENGTHS
With so many new pieces on both sides of the ball, Garrett said they may not know exactly what they have until their opener with Lumpkin County.

"It's just too early to tell what our strengths on the field are because we've only had a few practices as a whole group," Garrett said. "But I love the energy these guys have brought so far and really feel like we're ahead of last year at this time."

ALWAYS QUESTIONS
With a roster barely big enough to go two-deep, depth will be an issue. Also, the transient nature of Riverside can see players there one week and gone the next and new players arriving during the season. How look it takes Freeman to get comfortable running the offense may decide if they can compete for a playoff spot.

TOUGH SCHEDULE ONCE AGAIN
When you're coming off your first winless season as a program in 23 years, no matter who is on the schedule, it figures to be challenging. But the Eagles will face seven teams that made the playoffs in 2022. They will be building toward their GISA District 4-AAAA-AAA opener with George Walton Academy on Oct. 6 at home.

WHAT'S TRENDING
The Eagles were trending up as recently as 2019 after a pair of .500 seasons and their first-ever GHSA playoff win in 2018. But the COVID shutdown has caused Riverside to struggle since. They have a tough schedule with an inexperienced roster. With only three teams advancing to the playoffs, two wins will be needed to challenge for a playoff spot. They could begin to turn things back around if they can find an early win.

(Walker McCrary contributed to this story.)

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