There’s no way that Riverside Military coach Chris Lancaster could start to predict what is going to happen with his program this season.
The Eagles are back in the ranks of the GHSA after a six-year stint in GISA. Riverside is playing in Region 8-AA against schools it hasn’t faced in recent years. On top of that, the Eagles are bringing in a lot of new talent including new cadets pulled from Brookwood, Mill Creek and George Walton Academy.
"I’m nervous to see how they will react on Friday night," Lancaster said. "I want to see how our program reacts to playing against so many established programs."
OFFENSE
Riverside’s offense is going to be in the hands of junior quarterback Julian Suber, a junior, who enrolled at Riverside over the summer from Brookwood High. Riverside’s coach is already sold on the athletic ability of his 5-foot-9, 170-pound quarterback that runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash.
Logan Clemens (6-1, 220) is making the move to tailback from his previous fullback position where he blocked for All County running back Tersoo Uhaa last year. Kyle Glennon (6-1, 200) joins Clemens in the backfield. Adrian Quinones and Andrew Stamps are the starters at wide receiver for the Eagles.
Riverside’s offensive line is led by Times Elite 11 selection Colton Keig, a senior, at right tackle. Manuel Salcido (center), Joe Heath (right guard), Jahmel Ragin (left guard) and Kameron Clingman (left tackle) make up the rest of the offensive line. First-year cadet Brandon McKinney, a 6-5 220-pound junior, will play at tight end.
DEFENSE
With three returning starters at the position, linebacker is the strength of Riverside’s defense
Diego Osegueda-Weiner (85 tackles, five for a loss last season) is Riverside’s leader at inside linebacker along with Nick Pascual and sophomore Joey Lopez. Evan Cuellar moved in to Riverside from former GISA rival George Walton Academy and will play at weakside linebacker.
Taylor Peterson, a first-year cadet from Mill Creek High, will also play on the weakside. Aaron Gambrah is a returning starter at the strongside linebacker slot and will be backed-up by Stamps.
In the secondary, Seth Sloan will play at free safety and Victor Frick at strong safety. Sebastian Mims, Brian Cox and Fernando Osegueda-Weiner will play at corner.
Riverside has good experience on the defensive line with Keig and Heath both back after strong junior seasons. Ragin will be at nose guard. Lancaster’s concern for both the offensive and defensive line is lack of depth. "That’s going to be our weakness is depth on the lines," Lancaster said.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Ahamd Chehab will handle all of the kicking duties for Riverside Military. Kick and punt returners are still yet to be determined.
OUTLOOK
It’s hard to predict what will happen with Riverside Military this season. Even with a string of successful seasons in GISA, there’s no indication how that will translate in Region 8-AA. But the Eagles certainly have enough good football players and new talent on board to make a playoff run.