Sports
River Valley Returns Experience and Enthusiasm
By: Alyssa Lyons
Posted on:
Despite last year’s rocky transition into the Tri-Valley Conference, the River Valley Raiders football team has no shortage of confidence.
The Raiders are focused on their returning players, only graduating two from the 2014 season.
“It’s their time,” fifth-year coach Jerrod Spalling says of the 20 returning letter winners.
With senior quarterback Dayton Hardway at the helm, the team looks to make a substantial impact this season.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked him to do,” Spalling said of Hardway.
Dual-threat Hardway led the Raiders to a 5-5 season overall, and 1-5 in conference play. Last season was the second best in school history over the past 20 years, the best being recorded at 6-4.
For plans of a shifting strategy, the Raiders will stay the same.
“Where we are, we feel good about it,” Spalling said.
As for the season opener, the Raiders will play at their home field against the Rock Hill Redmen on Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
“How we execute our players on the field is what it boils down to,” Spalling said.
The two teams’ last meeting ended in a win for River Valley, 26-18.