Football preview: New leadership has River View optimistic

WARSAW − A change in leadership and a new outlook has River View ready to hit the gridiron.

First-year coach Thom Lesiecki took over the Black Bears' program in the spring, and the veteran has been impressed with how the team, especially the seniors, has responded to a new staff.

"This is the best summer I've ever had. The turnout all summer was great, and I couldn't have asked for a better situation," he said. "Our senior leadership will be vital. I will be doing things different than what they have known, but the seniors have done a great job leading us so far. We're going to focus on ourselves and try to reach our goals."

Players, like senior Cruz Mobley, have welcomed the change. The Black Bears are excited to see how a new outlook can affect the product on the field.

"He's different in his approach and plan, but it's good for us to have this change," Mobley said. "The practices have been different, and we had a good scrimmage against New Lex (a couple of weeks ago). We learned what we can do better.

"We know people are going to underestimate us, but we're ready," he added. "We have a new offense and defense, but we also have the athletes and speed to compete with anyone."

A new-look offense has River View players amped for the season. Senior Ethan Jordan takes over for Carter Fry, who transferred to Ridgewood, and he will guide the Black Bears, who will rely on the Air Raid Attack and Wing-T formation.

Three seniors will get their chances in the backfield. Mobley will get the majority of the carries, while Jamal Watts and Mason Giffin will also be featured in the Wing-T look.

Experience will assist the wideouts, which are without leading receiver Slater Sampsel, who headed to West Muskingum. Seniors Mark Dickerson and Preston Yoder highlight the group, and seniors Orin McKee and Konya Williams and junior Wyatt Weese should also contribute. Watts and Giffin will likely also see time at receiver.

The offensive line will be anchored by three-year letter winner and senior Hunter Cannon at center and two-year letter winner and senior Brady Winner at right tackle. Junior Darrian Besancon is slated to be the left tackle, senior Connor Sabrosky will be one guard, and senior Austyn Brown and sophomore Kydron Snow are battling for the other guard spot.

"We have leaders up front, and we want our seniors to take charge," Lesiecki said. "We have good athletes all over the field, and we want to take advantage of our athleticism. We also have an experienced group, and that will be a huge asset for us, too."

The adjustment has gone smoothly, noted Cannon. River View ran the Wing-T before so that part has allowed the players to focus on the Air Raid and blend everything together.

Seniors like Cannon are also leading by example. The Black Bears have around 30 players on the roster, and everyone is needed.

"We are putting 2 and 2 together, and getting in good work. We're learning how to do the right things and knocking off some of that rust," Cannon noted. "We're comfortable as a group. We've grown up together, and there is some urgency as a senior. We've also accepted the younger guys into our brotherhood and are bringing them along because we're going to need them. The team is gelling, and we're focused on what's at hand."

The defense will also feature a new alignment. Winner will take on the nose guard role in the 3-4 with sophomore Ashton Winner and Snow lining up on the ends. The other offensive linemen will provide depth when needed.

Mobley and Dickerson return to their outside linebacker roles, while McKee and junior J.D. Herron will man the inside backer spots, and the secondary features Watts and Yoder as the cornerbacks and Giffin and junior Jace Allen are the safeties.

The defense saw where it can improve during its scrimmage with New Lex. Watts believes that side of the ball will need to carry the load early, as the offense comes together.

"It's nice to have a fresh, new start, and the team is getting comfortable with the new stuff we're doing," Watts said. "We saw we have to do the little things better. We need to tackle better and locate the ball in the air, but we did have a few picks.

"It comes down to us focusing on those and playing to our capabilities," he added. "We have the players, and it comes down to doing what we know we need to do."

Special teams will be highlighted by a newcomer in sophomore Rilee Hutchenson. The former soccer player will take on the kicking duties and is the Black Bears' backup quarterback.

Lesiecki watched film from last year and saw promising things from the Black Bears. He also noted they faltered in the second half so conditioning remains a focus. River View ran 90 plays during its scrimmage with New Lexington less than two weeks ago, and Lesiecki was pleased with the results.

"We fell short in the second half so conditioning has been a push for us," Lesiecki said. "We want to get as many plays as possible. We didn't have tired legs at New Lex so that's a good sign. We don't have big numbers so each player is vital. It helps to have experienced players who are willing to work and knows what it will take."

Brady Winner feels good chemistry will also allow the Black Bears to push through any struggles.

"We've had a good summer and really bonded together," he said. "We're going to be well-conditioned, and we're going to keep working. It takes all 11 of us on either side of the ball to work together. As a senior, this is it so it's all or nothing. It's time to go out and do our thing."

River View is also focused on taking care of its county foes and reaching the postseason. The Black Bears open with three straight road games at Morgan, Ridgewood and Crooksville, while also closing the season with Coshocton.

"We want to make the playoffs and win the county. If we do the second thing, we only need to find a few more wins to give us a chance at the postseason," Lesiecki said. "We have a chance to get off to a good start even though we're on the road the first three weeks. Our focus is to start well and try to build on that momentum."

bhannahs@ganntt.com; @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Football preview: New leadership has River View optimistic