Riverview showing ‘total commitment’ under new, former head coach Massack

By: HSSN Staff
Saturday, August 18, 2018 | 7:15 PM

Previous Next

Previous Next

As much as things changed at the top in the offseason for the Riverview football team, they also stayed the same.

Todd Massack, a coach with the Raiders at different levels since 2005, took over as head coach after the 2017 season.

Also the head coach of the Raiders from 2007-13, Massack stayed on as a junior high coach in 2014, was a voluntary varsity assistant in 2015 and the defensive coordinator the past two years.

Riverview has been at his heart for more than a decade, and he said he’s excited to help lead the way in the present and future.

“Our whole team is on a mission,” Massack said. “We’ve got something to prove. That’s something that we’ve been talking about ever since I took over as head coach.”

Riverview faced its challenges the past couple of seasons, especially in the Eastern Conference with the likes of defending state champion Jeannette and playoff powerhouses Imani Christian and Clairton.

The Raiders hope to improve on their 2-7 overall record and 1-6 conference mark from 2017. Riverview also hopes to return to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus.

“There is experience, but we kind of revamped everything,” Massack said. “So everything they’ve learned over the past two years, we’re making changes offensively and defensively. They have game experience, but they are learning a number of new things.”

Massack said he is excited with the team’s numbers. Last year, there were times when only 18 players were available because of injuries. The offseason work, including time spent on the field this summer, he said was beneficial and should pay dividends.

“With our summer workouts, we were consistently at 20 to 22 guys,” Massack said. “The kids who weren’t there were accounted for with vacation, a family commitment or work. This might have been the best summer since I’ve been at Riverview. They have a great work ethic. In the face of all the challenges, they are on a mission.”

Senior Devon Binz was the heart and soul of the Riverview offense last year. He tallied 506 yards and nine touchdowns on 128 carries. Defensively, he made 23 tackles and picked off two passes.

“We want to get back to the tough, traditional Riverview football, and part of that is running the ball,” Massack said. “With Devon and (senior) JD Sykes, we feel we have that. Devon is going to be a big part of that on both sides of the ball.”

The passing game accounted for only 349 yards and two touchdowns last year, and Massack hopes for an increase in productivity this year.

Senior Jared Massack (5-foot-11 and 155 pounds) saw action under center in five games last year. He will get the call this fall.

“Jared’s really improved in the offseason,” coach Massack said. “He’s gotten bigger and stronger. He has a great work ethic. I expect him to do a great job for us.”

Targets in the passing game include seniors Ben Blacksmith, Cody Demko and Jack Stock.

“We have these shirts which have ‘Total Commitment’ on the front of them, and that’s the new mindset of the program and what we take forth into everything we do,” Blacksmith said. “We want to be at our best, no matter who we are playing.”

Senior Devlin Costello, who missed last season with a knee injury, is back and will be a focal point of the offense at tight end.

“He’s really working hard and taking nothing for granted,” coach Massack said.

The Raiders have experience in the trenches, led by 2017 second-team Eastern Conference all-star Zach Hanlon, a junior who also will help form a defensive core at linebacker.

The only senior in the lineman group, Ryan Slebrich, is the frontrunner to anchor the offensive line at center and also man one of the defensive line spots.

He also has battled back from an injury last year.

“We all have the same mindset, and that is to protect our guys in the backfield,” said Hanlon, who was second on the team with 59 tackles in eight games last year.

“We have a pretty solid core with experience. The younger guys are also ready to step up. Hopefully, we can go into games and punch some people in the mouth on both sides of the ball.”

Sykes, from his linebacker spot, added 37 tackles and three sacks. Demko recorded a team-best four interceptions at defensive back.

“We would love to be able to give guys rest, but we’re also trying to put the best 11 on the field at all times,” coach Massack said. “We are playing in a tough conference. Conditioning has been a big part of our preparation. We tell them to not expect to come off the field. There will be situations, however, where we have to get kids off the field, especially in some early Saturday afternoon games, where it can get hot.”

Riverview again will host a Friday game under the lights at Riverside Park. It will be homecoming Oct. 5 against Jefferson-Morgan. There will be three nights of games starting with a junior high football game Oct. 3 and continuing with a varsity soccer doubleheader Oct. 4.

“There’s a lot of excitement around the game,” coach Massack said. “The stands are packed. The kids really like it, and we’re happy to be able to continue it.”

Riverview will not play a Week Zero game, choosing to scrimmage Cornell before the season opener at Greensburg Central Catholic. The Raiders then host back-to-back Saturday afternoon home games against nonconference Charleroi (Sept. 8) and conference foe Clairton (Sept. 15).

“Everybody is going to be tough in the conference,” coach Massack said. “We don’t set the schedule. We just have to go out and play the schedule. We want to go out and play tough, no matter who we are playing, and work to get better each week.”

Schedule

Coach: Todd Massack

2017 record: 2-7, 1-6

All-time record: 255-222-11

Date, Opponent, Time

8.31, at Greensburg C.C.*, 7 p.m.

9.8, Charleroi, noon

9.15, Clairton*, noon

9.21, at Leechburg*, 7 p.m.

9.29, at Imani Christian*, 1:30 p.m.

10.5, Jefferson-Morgan, 7 p.m.

10.12, at Springdale*, 7 p.m.

10.20, Jeannette*, noon

10.26, at Sto-Rox, 7 p.m.

*Class A Eastern Conference game

Statistical leaders

Passing: Ben Blacksmith

14-41, 184 yards, 1 TD

Rushing: Devon Binz

128-506 yards, 9 TDs

Receiving: Blacksmith

4-82 yards

Michael Love is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at mlove@tribweb.com or via Twitter @MLove_Trib.

Tags: Riverview