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THREE RIVERS EDITION OF THE ARKANSAS DEMOCRAT-GAZETTE FOOTBALL PREVIEW |
SUNDAY, AUGUST 26, 2018
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RIVERVIEW RAIDERS
RIVERVIEW continued from 26SS
“We let [Trickey] work out in space (open field), things like that,” McCain said. “They are both on our leadership council, and they are leaders in the weight room and also on the field for us.”
The other starter returning on offense is senior right guard Matthew Bennett.
“He’s going to lead that offensive line for sure,” the coach said. “He’s got all the experi- ence coming back. Matthew is a real strong, big kid. He had a great fall camp, and I am looking forward to seeing what he is going to do in our scrimmage game.”
Senior leader Landon Chandler returns at corner. McCain said Chandler has had a great offseason and has put on some weight as well.
“He’s actually going to be a contributor on the offense as well,” the coach said. “He’s start- ing at corner and is a big part of our secondary.”
McCain said Chandler will also play wide receiver and at the slot position for the offense. The coach said Chandler has good hands and runs good routes.
“More importantly, he blocks well out on the perimeter,” McCain said.
Senior Dawson Ingle will start at the defen- sive line. Ingle played nose guard quite a bit last year but has been moved to defensive end.
“He has done a good job adjusting to that position, and we are expecting big things out of him as well,” McCain said.
Junior Santos Gutierrez is part of the leadership council as well and is the only returning linebacker. He started as a sophomore, and McCain said Gutierrez is a hard worker, and his work ethic is unbelievable.
“He is a captain for the defense for us and has done a great job so far,” McCain said. “Last year, we were really concerned about the line- backer position, but he has stepped in there and done a good job.”
Gutierrez was undersized as a sophomore, but the coach said he was a really “hard-nosed and fearless player.”
“He had plays despite his size,” McCain said. “That’s when we knew we had a player there. We are expecting good things out of him.”
Senior defensive end Herman Batemon started off and on last year. McCain said Batemon has bulked up over the summer.
Sophomore Ashton Williams, who was a part of the state-championship track team with Miller, is going to play slot and safety. Williams has played basketball for the Raiders, and the coach said Williams is fast and athletic.
Blake Nelson, who was ineligible to play last year, but did get some playing time at the
PHOTOS BY STACI VANDAGRIFF/THREE RIVERS EDITION
Riverview senior Baylee Dillin, background, listens to defensive coordinator Larry Davison at a practice earlier this summer. Riverview finished 7-4 last season, losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Riverview sophomore running back Xander Duckett gets loose by throwing the ball around.
junior-varsity level, has gotten really tall (6-4) over the summer.
“He is going to play some wide receiver and safety as well,” McCain said.
The coach said the biggest weakness Riverview will face is its lack of depth. The team has only 30 players on the roster so far.
“Offensively, our strengths lie with our skill guys, especially our quarterback,” McCain said, “but all those guys are going to be a strength for us.”
Riverview opened the season Friday against Brookland.
Riverview junior defensive end Ixsael Gameros takes his hits during a drill.