 |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|
| Harry Armstrong | Reese Gaughan | Robby Garvey |
TEAM: Riverside Vikings
COLORS: Red & Blue
COACH: Harry Armstrong, 11th Season (69-48)
PIAA: Class 2A
2023 CONFERENCE: LFC Division III
2022 RECORD: 6-5 (4-1 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 21-32
STADIUM: Taylor Veterans Memorial Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 8
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Spread
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-3
2023 PREVIEW
The Vikings showed plenty of progress last year posting their first winning season since 2018. They lost the game that decided the division by 3 points and a district semifinal by 3 points so they are on the cusp of being a championship team. Plenty of skill and experience should have Riverside in a good position for 2023.
In his first year as the starting quarteback, Chase Taddonio was outstanding throwing for over 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns.That experience should help the Vikings offense take another step up. The top receiver in the district in 2022 Reese Gaughan returns and will be joined by Casey O’Brien and J.J. Rogers. Richie Kostoff also returns at tight end. Robby Garvey moves over the tailback while Quinn Pucilowski takes over at fullback.
The offensive line has three starters returning including right tackle Ed Snee, center Zach Chilek and left guard Chad Hoskins. Tavian Branch will be the new left tackle and Vincent Scotti, Connor Sansky, Graydon Dupre, and Tyler Jones will compete for the right guard position.
Hoskins and Chilek return at defensive end while Sansky and Dupre will provide depth. Snee, Branch, Scotti, Jones, and J.J. Rosario will see time at defensive tackle. Garvey and Pucilowski are back at inside linebacker with depth provided by Dominick DeAngelo. Kostoff returns as inside linebacker. Gaughan and Taddonio return at the safety positions while O’Brien is back at corner. Rogers, Timani Poteat, and Joey Gaughan will compete for the other spot. Joey Pica will also provide depth
Santino D’Amico takes over for his brother as the place kicker and will also take over the punting duties.The Vikings will look at Taddonio, Snee and O’Brien at long snapper. Gaughan is one of the best kick returners in the LFC.
QUOTE FROM COACH ARMSTRONG: Riverside is experienced, fast, strong, and big. We expect to be highly competitive in 2023. Eight starters returning on offense and defense, and an impactful special teams players returning: combined with a talented group of 1st year players at key positions, and multiple new additions on the coaching staff. Our team will be poised to compete for a championship. Our off-season & in-season speed & strength training continues to create a roster with elite speed, size, versatility and strength. Keys to success: play incredibly physical upfront, take care of the ball, limit opponents big plays, continue getting faster & stronger throughout the season.
RETURNING ALL-STARS – LFC Division III
First Team Wide Receiver – Reese Gaughan
First Team Defensive Line – Zach Chilek
First Team Linebacker – Robby Garvey
First Team Defensive Back – Reese Gaughan
Honorable Mention Quarterback – Chase Taddonio
Honorable Mention Tight End – Richie Kostoff
Honorable Mention Offensive Line – Ed Snee
Honorable Mention Defensive Back – Casey O’Brien
