WHAT WE SAW: Rivera Runs Hawks Past Bengals

David Shelton

September 10, 2022 @ 01:51 PM

MOUNT PLEASANT | Every high school football team has an alpha dog. You know the guy when you see him. With the outcome of the game hanging in the balance, that one player that puts his team on his back and rides them to victory.   For the Hanahan Hawks, that player is 2024 running back [player_tooltip player_id='91352' first='Kevon' last='Rivera']. Already in his third season as a starter, Rivera is "the guy" in coach Art Craig's running game. Last year, Rivera shared the carries with Josh Shaw, who topped 2,000 career rushing yards and earned all-state honors.   Rivera rushed for more than 700 yards last season but with Shaw now in college, the 5-10, 205-pounder knew his time had come.   In Friday night's 10-6 win over previously undefeated Lucy Beckham, Rivera overcame a sluggish first half and put the Hawks on his back in the final two quarters. In what was a physical, close to the vest offensive game by both teams, Rivera stole the show.   Rivera rushed for 144 yards on 31 carries, mostly in the final 24 minutes. He carried the ball 10 times on Hanahan's only touchdown drive of the game - a 15-play ground and pound thing of beauty.   "I kinda told him at halftime that he wasn't running the ball like we needed," Craig said, "It was a really physical game and he took some real shots tonight. I thought the second half, he kind of showed why he is a marquee back in this area. He just keeps pounding on the defense and he gives out as much as he takes. He's our guy when it counts."   Neither team reached 200 total yards in offense as the physical play of both defenses dominated the action. There were several solid performers for both teams.   On Hanahan's defense, 2023 tackle Solomon Townes (6-2, 270), a two-way starter, is disruptive along the front and a very reputable run stopper.   2024 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='140607' first='Kayden' last='Gaddist'] (6-2, 215) anchors the second level and is a physical hitter. In the back end, 2023 safety Malik Horry, also a starter on offense, was not needed as much in terms of an impact but is a ball-hawker.   2024 linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='208349' first='Ashton' last='Drayton'] also gets carries at running back as a two-way performer and also is a physical runner.   2025 quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='367350' first='Jaden' last='Cummings'] is a developing prospect that was not able to showcase his talents in this game, due to the focus of the running game. Cummings, however, has great pocket presence and throws a very nice ball.   One of the anchors defensively on Lucy Beckham's defense is 2023 inside linebacker Tierell Milligan, who had several hard hits on Rivera that drew crowd approval.   2024 safety Garrett Coombs, a noted lacrosse player in the state, is a solid tackler out of the secondary.   On the offense, 2024 athlete Charles Byrd (6-1, 210) is a major weapon in the run and passing game. Fellow running back Tyler Kinloch (2024) is a physical runner as well.   2024 tight end [player_tooltip player_id='302853' first='Bryce' last='Rothwell'] (6-4, 245) caught one pass in the game but is a developing prospect. Rothwell showed good hands on a good route and was a physical finisher.

MOUNT PLEASANT | Every high school football team has an alpha dog. You know the guy when you see him. With the outcome of the game hanging in the balance, that one player that puts his team on his back and rides them to victory.