2022 Preview: River Bluff Gators

There are a lot of similarities for River Bluff to start the 2022 season but there also a bit of the unknown.   The Gators return eight starters on each side of the ball from last year's 2-8 team. Three of those losses were by seven points or less for a team that was relatively young and inexperienced in varsity-level playing time.   While those guys hope to be the cornerstones of the turnaround, River Bluff is expecting a lot out of a sophomore class that has found great success at the B-Team and junior varsity level.   Then there is the case of head coach Blair Hardin. Entering his fifth season with the Gators, Hardin will get a different perspective this season. Hardin suffered a ruptured patella tendon last month and is expected to coach the entire season from the press box.   “I will be in the training room with my players every day. But we will get through it,” Hardin said when explaining his recovery to a couple of reporters after a scrimmage last week.   The experience on offense will be key as the Gators will turn the quarterbacking duties to sophomore Parker Murray. The 6-‘1” right-hander looked smooth and polished in the four-team scrimmage that included Airport, Blythewood and Camden. He also has an air of swagger to him that his teammates seem to rally around.   The running back duties will fall mainly on Gray Herring and Cooper Johns. Herring rushed for nearly 500 yards last season with Johns being the top ground-gainer with 745 yards. The two are hard-nosed runners that would rather run to contact than step out of bounds to avoid a hit.   The receiver room took a hit with the transfer of [player_tooltip player_id='202727' first='Apollos' last='Cook'] but plenty of experience and talent returns. Thomas Powell is the leading returner, but he has plenty of help around him. Stephen Collier, [player_tooltip player_id='1360145' first='Aaron' last='Griffin'] and Alejandro Ambriz each saw action a season ago. Collier might have the biggest upside and could develop into one of the best pass catchers in the 2025 Class.   Blaine Blose returns at tight end. The offensive line is a year older and has been through the wars now. The leaders up front include Drew Surratt, Jordan Allen, Tyler Barton and Caden Hersey.   “They had a great season in the weight room,” Hardin said. “Even with all the returners, it's a new team with new life. These kids love each other and play for each other. I'm excited.”   The defense also returns eight starters with the defense line looking to be the cornerstone of this group.   AJ Colter could end up being a force in the middle. Surratt will play both ways and lend a steady hand on the line. Kaleb Long could end up being a star in the making as well.   Powell will be one of the outside linebackers. Connor Clamp and Kameron Woodruff will clog the middle and are both experienced and heady in making the defensive call. Jaden Cook will be the other outside linebacker.   Toriaun Leaphart, Collier, Jordan Grant, and Hadi Mostakim will anchor the secondary.   “We're old but we have 10 sophomores that will play a lot. They will be okay,” Hardin said.   The schedule includes a competitive region slate that features Dutch Fork, one of the premiere programs in the state. While Dutch Fork has to be considered the favorite until someone knocks them off, there is not much separation among the Gators, Chapin, Lexington and White Knoll.   The non-region slate includes Lugoff-Elgin, Swansea, Irmo, South Aiken, Lower Richland and Dorman.

There are a lot of similarities for River Bluff to start the 2022 season but there also a bit of the unknown.