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Riverview Pirates 2023 Team Preview

The Riverview Pirates enter 2023 fresh off a season that saw them finish 12-1 while qualifying for the playoffs for the 6th straight season. Coach Derek MacLaughlin’s team has won 22 straight Huron League games.

Head Coach: Derek MacLaughlin

Offense: While the Pirates graduated a slew of good players, many key contributors over the last few seasons return. Most notably seniors; Max Lockhart (RB) and Gavin Labadie (OL) along with junior Lucas Thompson (QB). Junior RB Ian Adams is a burner who is expected to be an impact player for the Pirates out of the backfield.

Defense: Junior Nathan Pinkava and Lockhart are expected to anchor the Pirate defense in 2023 with Adams returning in the secondary along with Labadie, sophomore Braeyden Evans and Jake Anderson contributing on the defensive line. Senior Caleb DiBrano is expected to contribute in the secondary.

Top Newcomers: Coach MacLaughlin expects Garrett Timmerman (OL/DL), Chris Sarnacki (TE/LB), Braylon Orcher (TE/LB), Joseph Avouris (OL/DL) and Jorden Smiechowski (RB/LB) to contribute on both sides of the ball this season.

Coaches Comment: The 2023 team is young and highly competitive. We will have many new faces competing for
positions, some of which have never played a snap of varsity football. It is exciting to see all
the competition going on throughout the summer and we are looking forward to building our
foundation throughout camp.

Coaches Outlook: I think the league will be very competitive this year, so many teams are returning loads of
experience and playmakers. Every week we will have our hands full.

FNV Outlook: Having won 22 straight league games and 3 straight league titles makes them the odds-on favorite to win the league, but teams like Airport and Flat Rock have seemingly closed the gap. If the Pirates are to win a 4th straight title, star players like Lockhart and Pinkava are going to need to have great seasons.

Chris Schultz

View Comments

  • Wide open race for the league title this year. Riverview is the team to beat until proven otherwise. Marquee game vs Airport week 2.

  • Had a chance to watch Timmerman play at the scrimmage. Kid is the real deal! He’s gonna be the next great Riverview lineman!

      • Sorry, just getting to this. If you’re still here we went w Plymouth Canton and Harper Woods.
        Offense was as good as ever. Moved the ball well against both schools.
        Defense had moments too. Looked a little more “bend don’t break” but that’s putting way too much stock into the scrimmage where there was heavy rotation in/out

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