QB Cecere has Riverview football team ready for breakthrough

By: Michael Love
Tuesday, August 22, 2023 | 9:39 PM

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Rocco Cecere spent his freshman and sophomore seasons as a backup quarterback in the Riverview offense.

He said that focus on his abilities and his improvement provided a lot of the motivation he needed to be ready when it was his turn to run the Raiders’ wing-T offense last year as a junior.

Cecere has grown to 6-foot-2 and is close to 200 pounds. He also feels he has grown in confidence entering his second season as the starter to be a leader on and off the field Riverview needs as it continues to make strides in the Eastern Conference and beyond.

“I learned early on that every opportunity to grow and get better was important, even if I wasn’t starting or getting into the game,” Cecere said of his early seasons. “I was so ready to have the chance to be the starter.”

Cecere helped guide the Raiders to four victories last year, the most in a season since 2015.

He threw for 610 yards and a pair of touchdowns and added 124 yards rushing and four more scores.

Cecere said a big point of focus for him and the rest of the team entering the offseason was getting bigger and stronger.

“I put on 20 pounds since last season, and a lot of the other guys did, too,” Cecere said. “We took our time in the weight room seriously. We were pushing the most weight we ever had. We have a weight room board that shows everyone’s max. From two years ago, the numbers almost doubled. It was unbelievable to see the progress from the whole team. A lot of the younger guys are stronger.

“Everyone put in the work, and we’re seeing the results now. Hopefully, we see the results on Fridays and Saturdays.”

Cecere said in addition to the weight room work, he concentrated in the offseason on his passing ability.

“I watched film from last year and saw there were opportunities to make more plays that I just didn’t make,” he said. “There were times when I could’ve thrown a touchdown where the pass just wasn’t where it needed to be or I would throw to the wrong guy. It would still get yards, but it could’ve gotten us more.

“I think I am now making better decisions, and that comes with reps and being more confident in myself.”

Cecere said he’s excited for more opportunities to throw out of the wing-T.

“We played bigger schools in our 7-on-7s and competed really well against them,” he said. “We were getting touchdowns. Our receivers are looking really good. (Junior tight end) Alex (Schultheis) is 6-5, and he catches any ball thrown at him, and we have (sophomores) Rio (Stotts) and Max (Kratt), who are looking really good. We have a lot of great options in the passing game.

“A lot of quarterbacks like to run the spread, but when you look at our wing-T on film, there are defenders chasing the other side, going across the field looking for a different ball carrier, and we’ll run it up the gut. It’s a puzzle, and it can be a masterpiece in action. I love running it because it can give defenses headaches. It’s not something you see every week.”

Cecere said the run game is powerful led by the return of seniors Landon Johnson and Carlo Buzzatto, who combined for nearly 1,800 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns last year.

The big guys up front, he said, get it all started.

“Our offensive line is truly amazing,” Cecere said. “They are strong and also pretty athletic. I have a strong bond with them and trust them to get the job done whether we are passing the ball or running. We have the confidence to do a lot because of that. They are going to put in the most work to make sure we win games.”

Riverview coach Trevor George sees a big season ahead for Cecere.

“His arm strength has improved every year since his freshman season,” George said. “He dedicated himself in the weight room, and he’s looking absolutely phenomenal right now throwing the ball and leading this offense. You can see his growth and hunger to compete.

“He was ready to take over last year, and he’s even more ready to be that leader and help us win. He has such a competitive fire.”

That competitive fire from Cecere, George said, shows itself in his desire to mix it up on the defensive side of the ball.

“He asks us at least once a practice to put him in there on defense,” George said.

“Truth be told, he’s actually a really good linebacker. He can hit. But with our offense, it is so complex right now that he knows everything to a T. We try to keep him healthy and fresh (on offense) because we know how important it is to keep him in there. But we know it eats at him sometimes to not get in there on defense and make plays.”

Riverview kicks off its season Friday at Beth-Center, and nonconference games with Carlynton and Northgate follow before the conference opener Sept. 15 at perennial power Clairton.

“Last year showed that we could do good things, and everyone has continued to buy into this season,” Cecere said.

“Everyone knows the potential we have. We’re going in with a chip on our shoulders. The past few years, some of the (conference teams) have beaten us and blown us out. But that just motivates us. We’re looking for a little payback. This can really be a breakthrough season. We’ve put in so much work that it is time to get out there and prove what we can do.”

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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