16 Aug 2017 RIVERVIEW: Experienced Raiders charging for playoff berth

Conference: 2-4A
Coach: Mike McCain
’16 Record: 4-6

The Riverview Raiders closed out the 2016 season strong, winning two of three games in the last three weeks of the season. While the Raiders were very young across the field in 2016, the experience could prove invaluable going into this fall.

“With only three seniors last year, we had a lot of underclassmen gain experience,” Coach Mike McCain said.

The Raiders return nine starters on each side of the ball.

Junior Griffin Miller returns at quarterback after rushing for 787 yards a year ago. He was responsible for 17 touchdowns. Junior Baylee Dillin takes over at running back. Dondre Spears, Cade Trickey, Landon Chandler and JT Smith lead the receivers. Smith accumulated 403 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Jonathon Gibson, Matthew Bennett, Ben Henson, Izaha Patterson and Mylek Baker start on the offensive line.

Isaiah Baker, George Scharringhausen and Mylek Baker start up front on the defensive line. Riverview’s two leading tacklers return at outside linebacker — Vinny Valdes (87 tackles) and Andrew Foster (81 tackles). Ethan Neal and Logan Miller start at the inside linebacker spots. Hunter Dawson and Seth Wortham start on the corners. Dondre Spears and Tristan Lyles defend the secondary from the safety spots.

“Returning a lot of Friday night experience should be good for us,” McCain said.

5 Players to Watch:
Griffin Miller (Jr. QB)
Dondre Spears (Sr. WR)
JT Smith (Sr. WR)
Mylek Baker (Sr. OL/DL)
Andrew Foster (Sr. LB)

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1 Must-see Game:
“Season opener versus DeWitt.” — McCain

2017 Schedule:
Sept. 1        DeWitt
Sept. 8        at Highland
Sept. 15    at Bald Knob
Sept. 22    at CAC
Sept. 29    Southside Batesville
Oct. 6        Helena
Oct. 13        at Stuttgart
Oct. 20        Baptist Prep
Oct. 27        at Heber Springs
Nov. 2        Lonoke