Riverside HS– It’s going to be a fun year at Riverside High, and if there was one school that needed it, it was certainly the Generals. After the student body, and school board voted to change the school name to Riverside High, expectations began to mount as to what traditions would remain, and what new era traditions would begin. First there’s the cannon, don’t worry it’s staying. So every touchdown that’s tossed, the cannon will sound. One thing that has changed is the field. AS million dollar field renovation ensued over the summer, leaving Riverside High with virtually a brand new field.
Now on to what has change. Riverside’s defense has changed drastically from last year. They have added several key positions on defense that turns them into a totally different team. Linebackers Bryce Capers, Gregory Washington Jr come over from Trinity and Baldwin respectfully, to team up with linebacker Devin Smith and defensive back Jaheim Singletary.
It’s a star studded unit that has the ability to shut down several area of the field all at once. Against Bartram, the 6’4, 210 LB Bryce Capers lined up in the slot against the 5’7, 170lb Eric Weatherly, and won his matchup.
On offense , running back Al Gipson was able to open up the scoring in the second half when he took the handoff and raced up the middle for the score. The big play of the drive came when quarterback Daniel Plummer III hit wide receiver Rickie Shaw on a long 40yd pitch and catch. It was Shaw’s second long pass catch of the drive.
Special teams got into the action leading 10-0, Joe Morrison knifed in to block a punt and would score a touchdown giving Riverside a 18-0 lead.
Al Gipson would get in the end-zone again with a run up the middle. He was just too fast for the bigger linebackers of Bartram and Riverside capitalized. The Generals would build a 25 point lead over Bartram. The Bears would get on the board when Cade Duncan hit a 12-yard touchdown pass late in the contest.
The final score was 25-7 Riverside in impressive fashion over Bartram Trail. Questions still remain for the team’s outlook going forward. Daniel Plummer III looked extremely good at quarterback pushing the ball down the field and making big plays of plus 20-yards or more. A back shoulder throw to Freddie Manning was his most impressive, showcasing exactly what could be for this talented team.
Cale Zarah got the start for Lee at quarterback and did a very nice job. The players are loyal to Zarah and he plays hard for them. He manged the game well and ran the offense to perfection. He was replaced by Plummer who came in to run the offense in the second. As week #1 approaches big questions are left open for the Riverside coaching staff. Who will line up as the starting signal caller for the Generals versus Terry Parker 8/27/21.
