Energy, enthusiasm, winning help Riverview grow roster

By: Michael Love
Sunday, August 20, 2023 | 9:52 PM

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Riverview won four games in 2022, the most victories for the program since 2015 when it also won four times.

The mission for a veteran group of Raiders players — only four seniors graduated from last year’s team — is to take that next step. Energy, enthusiasm and optimism, coach Trevor George said, are just a few of the key words to describe the feeling of the program as it gets set to open its 53rd season.

“It goes back to the old philosophy that says winning helps,” said George, who helped guide Riverview to a 4-6 overall record and a 2-4 mark in Eastern Conference play.

“Looking at the roster size, we have 52 kids, which is huge. It changes everything. Obviously, it changes your depth, but it also changes practice structure and allows close to a full platoon. We’re going to have guys who will only play one way this year, which is awesome. It will give them a chance to rest up when they aren’t out there. We’re hoping that translates into big things late in games, especially when games are close.

“The excitement is there all over the program, in the school and in the community. It should be an exciting season for us.”

George said he knew he would get a good look at where his team stood after a scrimmage against Avella and Charleroi at Riverside Park.

The bright lights come on officially Friday evening as Riverview hits the road for a Week Zero matchup against Beth-Center. The Bulldogs got the better of the Raiders in last year’s meeting, 29-15.

Ten starters return on both sides of the ball. All-conference first-team lineman Liam McElligot and wideout/defensive back Kevin Tomlinson graduated. Tomlinson is a freshman on the football team at Washington & Jefferson.

A quintet of seniors — Rocco Cecere, Toby Green, Tyler Green, Carlo Buzzatto and Landon Johnson — will serve as team captains.

“This senior class has seen it all,” George said. “The mentality now for them is, ‘It is our time.’ They’ve stopped questioning their abilities. We’ve shown the growth over the past four years. They have confidence going into this season. It’s a true underdog story. They have a chip on their shoulders, and they are ready to go out and prove they have what it takes to be one of the top teams in the conference. This group refuses to be outworked.”

Buzzatto and Johnson formed a 1-2 punch in Riverview’s Wing-T offense last year. They combined for 1,785 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Johnson added all-conference first-team honors at linebacker.

Sophomore Rio Stotts showed his versatility with 59 carries for 446 yards and five touchdowns to go along with 12 catches for 239 yards and a touchdown.

Buzzatto and junior Alex Schultheis added 12 and 11 catches, respectively, when the run-heavy Raiders went to the air.

George expects to be a more balance offense this season despite the run tendencies that come the Wing-T.

“We’re definitely going to be able to throw the ball more this year,” George said.

“Rocco’s accuracy was phenomenal last year, all of our receivers and tight ends have gotten taller, and our running backs are used to catching the ball and running in space.

“The way the whole offense is set up, it is a lot of fun to see what we can do. We could come out and throw a lot, and it would still start out looking like a run. There are so many versatile guys.”

George said junior newcomer Drew Ogrodowski, at 6-foot-3 and close to 240 pounds, has the potential to make an immediate impact along the offensive and defensive lines.

“This summer, he’s been lifting nonstop,” George said. “He’s been a basketball player his whole life, and he also was a goalkeeper for soccer. This past winter, he came up to me and said he was interested in playing. Watching him play basketball, he’s a physical specimen out there. His motor is going to transition so well to football. He’s really into it, and I can’t wait to see his full translation into a football player.”

Jeannette (3-3) finished one game ahead of Riverview for the conference’s final playoff spot last year.

Greensburg Central Catholic comes in as the defending conference champ. The Centurions went 6-0 and defeated Clairton (5-1) to wrap up the crown. Leechburg finished third at 4-2.

Riverview will celebrate homecoming under the lights at Riverside Park against conference foe Frazier on Sept. 22.

“There are so many great coaches in this conference who prepare a challenging game plan each week with the athletes who can execute it,” George said.

“It’s always a meat-grinder of a conference, and you have to go out and win the practice that week and prepare as well as possible to go out and compete. Our conference is so interesting when it comes to competition. The kids know each other from growing up, playing junior high football, and going to camps. It is a close-kit conference, and that breeds competitiveness.”

Editor’s note: Due to production scheduling conflicts, the preview for Eastern Conference team Frazier will appear later this week.

Riverview

Coach: Trevor George

2022 record: 4-6, 2-4 in Class A Eastern Conference

All-time record: 264-260-11

SCHEDULE

Date, Opponent, Time

8.25 at Beth-Center, 7

9.2 Carlynton, noon

9.8 at Northgate, 7

9.15 at Clairton*, 7

9.23 Frazier*, noon

9.29 at Jeannette*, 7

10.7 at Summit Academy, 12:30

10.14 Leechburg*, noon

10.20 at Greensburg Central Catholic*, 7

10.28 Springdale*, noon

*Conference game

STATISTICAL LEADERS

Passing: Rocco Cecere

43-71, 610 yards, 2 TDs

Rushing: Carlo Buzzatto

129-1,021 yards, 10 TDs

Receiving: Rio Stotts

12-239 yards, 1 TD

FAST FACTS

• Riverview is looking for its first winning season since 2010 when it went 6-4 overall and 4-4 in conference play.

• The Raiders also are seeking their first WPIAL playoff win since 2001 when they beat Mapletown in the Class A first round.

• Riverview is the youngest program in the Eastern Conference, having formed in 1971 with the merger of Oakmont and Verona high schools.

• Thirty of the 32 Raiders offensive touchdowns from last year came from the running game.

ROSTER

No., Name, Pos., Ht./Wt., Cl.

2, Jalen Ricketts, WR/DB, 5-9/165, Sr.

3, Rio Stotts, RB/DB, 5-9/170, So.

4, Dominic Williams, WR/DB, 5-8/160, So.

5, Miles Duncan, RB/OLB, 5-9/170, Fr.

6, Lucas Duncan, RB/DB, 5-9/170, Fr.

7, Vionte White, RB/DB, 6-0/180, Sr.

8, Alex Schulteis, TE/DE, 6-4/190, Jr.

9, Antonio Boyer, WR/DB, 6-3/170, Jr.

10, Jaydin Dong, RB/DB, 5-8/160, Fr.

11, Rocco Cecere, QB/K/LB, 6-2/190, Sr.

12, Connor Kmetz, QB/DB, 5-10/160, Fr.

13, Syd Vespi, WR/DB, 5-8/160, Fr.

14, Max Kratt, WR/DB, 5-9/165, So.

15, Kiki Donato, TE/OLB, 5-10/200, Jr.

17, Brody Garia, WR/DB, 5-8/150, Fr.

19, Jay Moering, WR/DB, 5-8/150, Fr.

20, Quinlan Catanzaro, TE/OLB, 6-0/190, Jr.

21, Carlo Buzzatto, RB/LB, 5-10/190, Sr.

22, Brandon Trainer, RB/DB, 5-9/165, Jr.

23, Kaden Levy, RB/OLB, 5-9/170, Fr.

24, Luke Huffman, TE/LB, 5-10/180, Jr.

25, Toby Green, RB/LB, 6-0/190, Sr.

27, Johnny Bertucci, RB/DB, 5-9/175, Jr.

30, Lucas Isbell, RB/DB, 5-10/175, So.

31, Dino Yario, RB/LB, 5-9/185, Jr.

32, France Harper, TE/LB, 5-10/170, Fr.

33, Landon Johnson, RB/OLB, 5-10/175, Sr.

35, David Bradley, RB/LB, 5-8/175, Jr.

40, John Hightower, OL/DE, 6-0/200, Fr.

42, John Moses, OL/LB, 5-9/170, Fr.

44, Drew Hunter, K/P, 5-9/160, Jr.

48, Zachary Rutherford, OL/LB, 5-9/190, Fr.

50, Miles Segel, OL/LB, 6-0/180, Fr.

51, Cole Brunn, OL/DE, 5-10/175, Fr.

52, Caleb Mayhood, OL/LB, 5-10/180, Jr.

55, Cam Long, OL/DL, 5-8/225, Jr.

56, Addison Pascal, OL/DL, 5-10/230, So.

58, Jack Reynolds, OL/DL, 6-0/190, So.

59, Drew Ogrodowski, OL/DL, 6-2/210, Jr.

60, Caleb Davis, OL/DL, 6-0/275, Sr.

61, Anthony Tigano, OL/DL, 6-0/205, Jr.

63, Tyler Green, OL/DL, 6-0/215, Sr.

65, Noah Hunter, OL/DL, 6-2/205, Fr.

66, Vincent DelRosso, OL/DL, 5-10/230, So.

70, Dimitri Hong, OL/DL, 5-9/210, Fr.

71, Josh Babich, OL/DL, 6-2/225, Sr.

73, Pierce Colvin, OL/DL, 5-9/200, Fr.

85, Mason Nash, WR/DB, 6-2/170, Fr.

Jack Loughren, Sr.

Michael Love is a TribLive reporter covering sports in the Alle-Kiski Valley and the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. A Clearfield native and a graduate of Westminster (Pa.), he joined the Trib in 2002 after spending five years at the Clearfield Progress. He can be reached at mlove@triblive.com.

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