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| Coach Harry Armstrong | Tavian Branch | Brayden Rose |
TEAM: Riverside Vikings
COLORS: Red & Blue
COACH: Harry Armstrong, 13th Season (90-57)
PIAA: Class 2A (District Champions)
2025 CONFERENCE: LFC Division III
2024 RECORD: 13-2 (4-1 in conference)
RECORD LAST FIVE SEASONS: 31-28
STADIUM: Taylor Veterans Memorial Stadium
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 7
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
OFFENSIVE SCHEME: Spread
DEFENSIVE SCHEME: 4-2-5
2025 PREVIEW
The Vikings won 13 games last season, the most since 2010 and advanced to the state semifinals. They lost some key players to graduation but have enough back to compete in the division and defend their district title. A small roster will be their biggest challenge.
With a four-year starter leaving at quarterback, Riverside will most likely turn to one of their most athletic players in Brayden Rose. Rose was a standout receiver last season and is a three-sport athlete. Charlie Anstett will be the backup. Carmelo Barnett returns at tailback with Anstett also seeing time at the position. Ny-Jai Scott-Holt is back at fullback and Jared Jackson played multiple snaps at wide receiver in 2025. Rose could also see time at his old position. Max Jackson will be the new full time tight end.
Riverside returns three starters on the offensive line led by All-District 2 right tackle and Rutgers commit Tavian Branch. Exavier Pelton is back at left tackle and Joshua Ramos at right guard. Madden Sandly will take over at right guard and David Kieper at center. Markus Ngongo, Aiden Taylor, and Abraham Padytel will provide depth.
Branch will lead the defense from his tackle position and will be joined by a new starter. Taylor, Ramos and Padytel could all see playing time there. The Vikings will have two new defensive ends from group consisting of Pelton, Ngongo, and Eli Paroby. Scott-Holt and Sandly are both experienced at linebacker with Dylan Smith, and Ansett providing depth. Jared Jackson and Angel Grande return as starters at cornerback. Cooper Borowski also has experience in the secondary with Rose and Barnett expected to play there as well. Tyler Grill and Dion Ang will be backups.
Santino D’Amico returns to handle the placekicking and punting. Grande will be the long snapper and Max Jackson the holder. Jared Jackson will handle return duties.
QUOTE FROM COACH ARMSTRONG: Experienced playmakers returning in all 3 phases, led by 3-year starter, D1 recruit, and one of the country’s top 2-way lineman, #75 Tavin Branch: will provide big time plays on the Offensive and defensive lines. On Special teams: 3 yr-starter K/P Santino D’Amico will create a major edge in field position and scoring opportunities. We also return multiple starters on the perimeter who possess rare combinations of size, speed, versatility, and playmaking skills on Offense and Defense: 6’1 speedster RB-WR-combo, #6 JR Carmelo Barnett: 6’2 190lb WR, #2 JR Jared Jackson: and a 6’4 Dual Threat QB who will also play WR, #0 JR, Braydon Rose set the stage for big plays on offense. That group will be will also help lead our Defensive Secondary, along with #7 Angel Grande, 175lb CB who is a an elite powerlifter and Big-Time Hitter on Defense and returning starter #18 Cooper Borowski. Seniors LB’s Madden Sandly and Ny-Jai Scott-Holt who combined for over 100 tackles in 2024, will help anchor our defensive front 7. The hidden keys will be the level of impact that our lineman on O & D will provide and how quickly will our newcomers grow into their roles. TE Max Jackson and FB Ny-jai Scott-Holt show potential to be punishing players at the point of attack as a strong TE/FB Combo. On Defense we need to establish physicality and consistency at Defensive Ends and LB’s. teams will be focusing their attention on Tavian Branch: we must be able to take advantage of that in our front 7. Expect 2025 to be an exciting year for Riverside Football
RETURNING ALL-STARS – LFC Division III
First Team Offensive Lineman -Tavian Branch
First Team Kicker – Santino D’Amico
First Team Defensive Lineman – Tavian Branch
Honorable Mention Defensive Line – Madden Sandly
Honorable Mention Punter – Santino D’Amico
RETURNING ALL-DISTRICT 2
Tavian Branch
