Julie McCombs
Riverside's kicking game is in good hands and feet with Antoine Kahaleh (47) and punter Jordan Paden.
Riverside travels to Wade Hampton High School to play its first game and home opener against the Eastside Eagles.
Greenville County, on Thursday, told Riverside its field was unplayable and its game would be played at Wade Hampton. The grass hasn’t grown in and change in schedule is only for one game.
The Warriors look to rekindle last year's success as they take on the Eastside, a team looking to improve upon its 2-9 record from a season ago under new coach Steve Wilson.
Riverside claimed a 31-7 victory last year.
"The game Friday should be a great match-up for both teams," Riverside Head Coach Phil Smith, said. "This is a rivalry game and our boys are excited about the opportunity."
Eastside brings a group of experienced players. The Eagles will be led by a new quarterback, junior Garrett Willis. Returning running back Chance Pride provides a potent weapon out of the backfield that the Warriors' defense will have to defend.
"Eastside is much improved and they have a lot of weapons on offense," Smith said. "They are balanced as far as run and pass and they do a good job protecting the quarterback."
Defensively, Eastside has talent as well. Linebacker Jovani Lawton and defensive end Joseph Hamilton have disruptive abilities.
Perhaps the biggest weapon for Riverside is its special teams. Kicker Antoine Kahaleh can neutralize Pride and the Eagles' return game with his touchback capabilities on kickoffs.
Riverside will turn to a host of new faces on offense and defense. Wide receiver Jeremiah Bogan and tight end Corey Bridges are big time weapons. One of the new faces, 6-foot-4 freshman wide receiver Braxton Collins provides a big target for quarterback Aaron Odom.
The Warriors' offensive line, led by the senior trio of Stephan Garber, Cris Burdette, and Dylan Taylor should give Odom time to locate his go-to targets.
"We need to keep our offense on the field and control the pace of the game,” Smith said.
Want to go?
Who: Riverside vs. Eastside
Where: At Wade Hampton High School.
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Admission: $6
Eastside roster:
|
4 |
WR |
6-1 |
174 |
||
|
5 |
OLB, WR |
|
5-10 |
161 |
|
|
8 |
QB |
5-9 |
155 |
||
|
9 |
QB |
5-11 |
185 |
||
|
10 |
RB, MLB |
6-0 |
200 |
||
|
11 |
WR |
5-4 |
125 |
||
|
12 |
CB |
6-1 |
175 |
||
|
14 |
WR |
5-10 |
136 |
||
|
16 |
WR |
|
|
||
|
21 |
WR, FS |
5-6 |
125 |
||
|
21 |
WR |
6-1 |
146 |
||
|
22 |
RB |
5-7 |
150 |
||
|
24 |
MLB |
|
|
||
|
30 |
|
6-0 |
|
||
|
32 |
CB, WR |
5-10 |
160 |
||
|
34 |
DE |
6-2 |
210 |
||
|
43 |
OLB, LS |
6-0 |
195 |
||
|
44 |
MLB |
5-6 |
195 |
||
|
45 |
FB, OLB |
5-11 |
160 |
||
|
46 |
OLB, WR |
5-10 |
160 |
||
|
47 |
WR |
6-0 |
158 |
||
|
53 |
G |
6-0 |
195 |
||
|
55 |
MLB, LS |
5-9 |
185 |
||
|
59 |
OT, DE |
6-0 |
188 |
||
|
61 |
, DE |
6-3 |
200 |
||
|
63 |
M.J. Valverde |
NG, G |
5-5 |
151 |
|
|
68 |
T |
6-2 |
250 |
||
|
72 |
G, DE |
5-10 |
179 |
||
|
72 |
T |
6-4 |
283 |
||
|
75 |
G, T |
5-9 |
155 |
||
|
77 |
DE |
6-4 |
185 |
||
|
80 |
WR |
5-8 |
145 |
