Riverview is coming off of a season that saw them win a Huron League title while finishing 7-1. Coach Derek MacLaughlin (47-24) enters his 8th season as head coach and returns 19 letter winners.
Offense: The Pirates return 5 starters on offense. QB Preston Thompson returns for his senior year after throwing for 352 yards and 4 TD’s while rushing for another 3 TD’s and 247 yards. RB Ben Johnson returns after rushing for 277 yards and 5 scores. Senior TE’s Landon Kincaid and Cal Lockhart anchor the offensive line along with Junior OT Gabe Landskroener. The Pirates will be without their returning leading rusher Jacob Puma, who will miss the entire season, after a shoulder injury in last season’s district game against River Rouge ended his football career.
Defense: Riverview returns 6 starters on defense as Kincaid and Lockhart return at OLB while Thompson and Johnson return in the defensive backfield. Joseph Breezee anchors the defensive line while Noah Grunwald returns at LB.
Other Players to Watch: Seniors; Jacob Shupe RB/DB, Reece Wakeman RB/DB, Julien Johnson OL/DL and Josh Elliot OL/DL. Juniors; Jacob Shank RB/DB, Anthony Bowman RB/DB, Austin Lipchik OL/DL and Hunter Diley OL/DL.
Coaches Thoughts: “We have a tough schedule this season, and although we are experienced in some areas, in others we are not. We have a lot of “growing up” to do to be prepared for the season. The Huron League is very tough, and we have the utmost respect for every team week in and week out. Each game is almost a rival game. It’s very cool to be a part of and makes playing football in the Huron league a lot of fun.
FNV Outlook: The Pirates are one of the favorites in the Huron League this season and will play a rugged non-league schedule as they host Divine Child week 1 and close at Monroe week 9. They return multiple 3-year starters that have gone 15-4 the last two seasons and FNV expects them to possibly make a deep run in the ultra-competitive Division 3 playoffs in they can survive the non-league and Huron League slate. ‘
*8-1 😉
This is going to be a tough year for me personally. I’ve watched most of these seniors play together for a decade. Not only are the great players but they have charisma that will be missed.
Have a great season @ GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!