Riverview

By Bryan Burns
Published August 31, 2007

Multiple Choice

Riverview's defense, which allowed just under nine points a game last season with three shutouts, could be even better this year because:

A) The starting D-line of nose guard Roman Rodriguez and defensive ends Quincy Barr and Jamaul Butts is a senior-laden group with speed and power.

B) The linebacking corps, led by seniors Tamaha Halaufia (MLB) and Harold Pringle (SLB) has the potential to be Riverview's best ever, according to coach Dan O'Regan.

C) The slowest defender ran a 40 time of 4.9 seconds.

D) All of the above.

Answer: D. About the only defensive concern for O'Regan is the secondary, which is young but has potential. Kenyatta Strachan, a freshman, will start at corner after impressing in summer passing leagues. The front eight will certainly be solid; if the defensive backfield can mature quickly, look out.

True-False

The quarterback situation is still unsettled with senior Colby Fairfax and junior Alex O'Regan, the coach's son, vying for the position

Answer: True. At 6-4, Fairfax, also a pitcher on the baseball team, has the size coaches covet and a strong arm. O'Regan played JV the past two seasons and is more of a scrambling quarterback adept at running the option. The starter might not be determined until a few minutes before kickoff Aug. 31 at East Bay.

Yes or No

Jahleel Addae still plays for Riverview

Answer: Yes. That might seem like a simple question now, but for the first week of August, it was anybody's guess. Addae, a West Virginia commitment who scored 11 touchdowns last season and rushed for 1,051 yards sharing carries with since-graduated Antwain Powers, is expected to be the main cog in Riverview's unique double-wing offense. O'Regan is also high on running backs John Green and Eric Lampe.

Essay

Durant coach Mike Gottman on Riverview:

"They've got some of the best talent in the area from what I've seen. Last year, they were one of the more talented teams that we faced."

O'Regan on Riverview:

"Wins and losses are just one way of measuring success. We had an offensive lineman go to Florida on an academic scholarship. One of my quarterbacks went to UCF for engineering, and we had another kid go to Carnegie Mellon on an academic scholarship. We're doing some positive things in the classroom, and the kids understand that football's not the end of it. It's those things that you take with you that you learn from football that's going to make you successful."

Bryan Burns, Times correspondent

[Last modified August 29, 2007, 15:26:17]