2023 Preview: River Bluff Gators

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>River Bluff coach Blair Hardin has a rather unique situation on his hands.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Gators will only start one senior on offense – tight end&nbsp;<strong>Landon Schultz</strong>&nbsp;– but on the flip side, he expects to start nine seniors on the defensive side of the ball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>“The defense will need to carry us early,” Hardin said. “They were good last year, and we need them to be good again to let some of those offensive guys grow up.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The offense does have a couple of playmakers returning in quarterback&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray']</strong>&nbsp;and WR/H-back&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier']</strong>. But Hardin will need the likes of wide receiver&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1360145' first='Aaron' last='Griffin']</strong>&nbsp;and linemen&nbsp;<strong>Landon</strong>&nbsp;<strong>Hudgins</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592647' first='Alex' last='Kirylo']</strong>&nbsp;to grow up quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>River Bluff finished last season with a 7-4 record but with a home playoff loss to Carolina Forest in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464880' first='Stephen' last='Collier'] </strong>WR, 2025 – The body, speed and intangibles are there but Collier (pictured) needs to double his numbers from a year ago. The Gators are expected to throw it more this fall and that plays to Collier's strength. He's a matchup problem at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds. He finished last season with 32 receptions for 356 yards and five scores. Those numbers could double this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1249821' first='Pac' last='Pitts']</strong>&nbsp;OL, 2025 – As mentioned before, the line is young, but Pitts has developed into a leader. The 6-foot-4, 230 pounder started last season and has taken on the extra leadership this season. He's strong for his size and able to get leverage against bigger defensive linemen. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kaleb Long&nbsp;</strong>DT, 2024 – Long is a force in the middle at 5-foot-11 and 285 pounds. He only played in six games last season, but he should be one of the leaders in the middle of the defense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Doriaun Leaphart</strong>&nbsp;DB, 2024 – Leaphart played in eight games and finished with 32 tackles from his defensive back position. He's 5-foot-11 and 175 pounds. That allows him the ability to match up with the bigger, taller receivers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kameron Woodruff&nbsp;</strong>LB, 2024 – Woodruff is the leading tackler returning on the defensive side of the ball. He finished with 55 tackles and two sacks a season ago. Woodruff is 5-foot-10, 195 pounds and plays angles well. His speed also gives him the ability to cover sideline-to-sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='464884' first='Parker' last='Murray']</strong>&nbsp;QB, 2025 – Murray had a little bit of a mixed bag last season, but the tools are there to become one of the top quarterbacks in the state in the 2025 Class. He's 6-foot and 185 pounds. He finished with 1,176 yards and 14 scores. He has a strong arm and doesn't mind throwing into tight places. The Gators might air it out more this season and that could play into Murray having a breakout campaign.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/13002993/636923d602b1c906f090d6f9' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-64d1a5bd329d2"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>BIGGEST LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Cooper Johns&nbsp;</strong>RB<strong>&nbsp;–&nbsp;</strong>The Citadel signee rushed for over 1,800 yards last season and scored 24 touchdowns.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Thomas Powell&nbsp;</strong>ATH – Powell played safety, wide receiver, and returned kicks. His versatility will be missed. Powell signed with South Carolina for baseball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP AND COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Trace Nettles&nbsp;</strong>RB, 2025 – With the departure of Johns, this could be a position run by committee. Nettles saw brief action on the varsity level but shined on junior varsity last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1592250' first='Hayden' last='Myers']</strong>&nbsp;RB, 2026 – Myers is another player that will have an opportunity to contribute to the rushing attack. Myers will get an opportunity early to show what he can do. Hardin hopes someone will take control of the position and be the bell cow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Griffin Lindler</strong>&nbsp;LB, 2025 – Lindler saw action as a backup last season and finished with 17 tackles. He's one of the few underclassmen on defense and he will need to step in and fill the role quickly.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>LJ Berndt&nbsp;</strong>OL,2026 – Berndt is one of three sophomore starters on the offensive line. He's 6-foot-1, 245 pounds and has the frame to get bigger and stronger. A lot will be asked of him this season and his growth will be key to the protection up front.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->