SPRING OUTLOOK: Riverdale Football

<p>Conner Smith and myself took in a spring football practice at Riverdale on Tuesday to see a strong amount of high-level talent compete in pads.</p>   <p>As the program enters year 11 with head coach Will Kriesky at the helm, this team projects to be one of the best that he has been able to work with, something that means big expectations will be placed on this team, but the roster has the talent to accomplish significant things during this season and compete for a state championship.</p>   <p>Working in arguably the hardest public school region in the entire state, that combination of player and coaching experience will be crucial to the success of this team. Additionally, the young core in the program is also high on the list for the Kriesky tenure and should add healthy competition all season long.</p>   <p>This is a Riverdale program that has had a lot of good teams, but is looking to take that next step to becoming a consistent contender and this year's team has the ability to make that jump.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithMedia/status/2049269308572717288?s=20 </div></figure>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OFFENSE</h2>   <p>The offense will be anchored by one of the best quarterbacks in the entire state in [player_tooltip player_id='1287058' first='Gavin' last='Hampton'], who progressed tremendously throughout last season and developed into a legitimate Power Four level recruit at the position. He thrives on carving up defenses over the middle of the field, something that will translate in a loud way this fall with an elite core of weapons surrounding him.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2049241166705467551?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1103038' first='Brylan' last='Oduor'] has a case for being the top receiver prospect in the entire state and he will have the opportunity to show that ability in a high-flying offense as the primary target on the perimeter. He has the size at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds to beat anyone at the catch point with the athleticism to constantly generate explosive plays and should take this offense to an entirely new level.</p>   <p>Rising sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1538130' first='Luke' last='Tritch'] broke out in a big way in his first year of high school football, offering a consistent and reliable target from the slot. He is a crafty route runner and has gotten noticeably bigger this offseason, something that should favor him as he continues to carve up defenses underneath as the receiving option with the most chemistry with Hampton.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithMedia/status/2049297318592000330?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2101290' first='Gavin' last='Johnson'] comes from one of the most explosive passing attacks in the state last season after their was a coaching change at Centennial and he will help push the field vertically in this offense. He has good size at six-feet tall and is electric when working down the field, giving this offense a home-run threat at receiver that it has not had.</p>   <p>Tight end [player_tooltip player_id='1103559' first='Sutton' last='Gutting'] reunites with Hampton and the pair already have a chemistry that had been previously established. The tight end will give his quarterback a reliable quick target and he showed he can block well in space, something that will be utilized in this offense. While this team has four legitimate FBS caliber pass catchers, some could question if players will get overlooked, but each one brings something different to the table that complements the rest of the group, which will make defenses cover every single blade of grass.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/shaynep_media/status/2049236409232273882?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>Everyone wants to focus on the skill positions in this offense, but don't get fooled, the offensive line unit has solid size and athleticism across the board this season and should be the best the program has had in a while. [player_tooltip player_id='1568976' first='Tyi' last='Duncan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1937066' first='Avantae' last='Morrison'], DeKhari King and others give the Warriors a reliable unit up front that should help take this offense to an even higher level.</p>   <p>Look for the unit to create rushing lanes for tailbacks Braxtian Murdock and [player_tooltip player_id='1641069' first='Jordan' last='Turner'], both bringing a downhill aspect to the rushing attack.</p>   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DEFENSE</h2>   <p>While the offense might have the biggest names, the defense quietly has shaped out nicely for the program this season. The biggest question mark will be at the cornerback position, but there are some potential breakout candidates at the position.</p>   <p>The strong trench play continues to the defensive line where standout defensive tackle [player_tooltip player_id='1648682' first='James' last='Stewart'] will anchor the unit after a breakout junior season. He is a big-time run stopper that is impossible to stop at the point of attack, commanding multiple blockers each snap.</p>   <p>Watching [player_tooltip player_id='1588087' first='Gael' last='Lara'] workout this offseason has produced encouraging returns and he could be in store for a breakout senior season opposite him. The front four also has a handful of big, powerful lineman that can be moved along the line such as [player_tooltip player_id='2097875' first='Justin' last='Williams'] and Treshon Fly. Also look for [player_tooltip player_id='1568976' first='Tyi' last='Duncan'] to contribute along the interior some this season.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithMedia/status/2049294525969899855?s=20 </div></figure>   <p>Replacing Ayden Emmons is going to be an impossible task at linebacker, but the group has plenty of talent and with younger players getting a year of experience under their boots, could offer more raw playmaking ability this season. The improvement of the front four has allowed for the explosive [player_tooltip player_id='1207775' first='Julius' last='Malden'] to move to the linebacker position from the edge, where he can use his length and explosiveness to chase down ball carriers. [player_tooltip player_id='1177947' first='Jeremy' last='Thompson'] Jr absolutely flies around the field to make plays on the ball carrier and made several splash plays during the spring practice.</p>   <p>In the secondary, corner play remains the question to be answered this fall, but they will have strong safety play behind them to help create a high floor for the group on the backend. Mississippi State commit [player_tooltip player_id='378857' first='Hudson' last='Fuqua'] looks to be one of the best players on this team with his natural playmaking ability. He has a strong frame and flies around the field, offering a playmaking tackler that can be moved around the field, along with showing that he is reliable on the backend against the pass. He was matched up with some of the top receiving talent along in goal line work and made several plays. He is a leader on this team and helped show other players how to improve their craft throughout the practice, offense and defense both.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2180821' first='Izsaiah' last='Emery-Whitfield'] returns to Riverdale, where he played as a freshman, and will offer an intriguing strong safety option next to Fuqua this season. At corner, Jaylen Waller is a converted receiver that has had strong offseason workouts at the position and it is easy to see why with his lengthy 6-foot-2 frame, natural athleticism and ball skills. He will be an important player for this defense and has all the tools to breakout at the cornerback position.</p>   <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/CSmithMedia/status/2049302313710301383?s=20 </div></figure>

Conner Smith and myself took in a spring football practice at Riverdale on Tuesday to see a strong amount of high-level talent compete in pads.