Riverdale establishing football foundation under Walker

Entering his third year, Kyle Walker accepted the challenge to build a program at Riverdale. Winning in football at the school has been a consistent struggle in the past.

Walker has established a firm foundation, and he hopes that year three is the year that the Rebels can show they are ready to compete.

“I feel like we have settled things down and we’ve gotten the middle school team established whom we have coached,” Walker said. “The system is coming along. If we can continue this trend for the next couple of years, it will really build the program up where it needs to be.”

Riverdale must replace a pair of good defensive linemen in Kobe Powers and Jared Barahona, along with tight end Kyvontaa Washington, all of whom graduated, but there is talent returning.

Seven starters return on offense.

The strength of the Rebels is up front on the offensive line, where experience and talent returns.

Senior left guard Christopher Campbell (6-2, 245) and senior left tackle Zachary Thomas (6-4, 260) return to anchor the front, along with another senior in right tackle Jalen Reed (6-4, 265). They are joined by senior center Joseph Guzman (5-8, 250) and senior Drago Ledezma (6-1, 215) to form an all-senior front.

“Our offensive line is 1,000 percent our strength,” Walker said. “We have just eight seniors on the entire team and four start on our offensive line. They are ready to go. Thomas and Campbell on the left side have been to several college camps. Both are two-year starters. Reed is huge, with good ability. It is a good group.”

Junior quarterback Gage DuPour (5-9, 160) returns to run the offense and he has an experienced fullback in junior Luis Enriquez (5-10, 190) and a returning starter in sophomore wing back Colby Bufkin (5-10, 165). Junior Elijah Brown (6-0, 220) brings size to the running back position as well.

“Gage is a great baseball player who pitches and plays outfield,” Walker said. “He is likely a next level baseball player but he has bought into football and is good. He has not missed a game since he first set foot on the field as a freshman. He’s a competitor who has gotten better every year. We expect big things from Luis.”

Senior B’Jon Lee (6-1, 215) returns at wide receiver and he is joined by freshman Torren Signal (6-1, 165).

“B’Jon is back and he will also line up some at tight end,” Walker said. “He can catch the ball and can give us size. Signal played middle school ball and he is proving he can extend the field and has size. We are excited about both.”

Just four starters return on defense.

Up front, junior Taylor Mahoney (5-9, 190) is returns at the right end spot while senior Mason Warden (6-2, 180) is on the left side. The tackles are junior Dorleun Connors (5-7 260) and sophomore Landon Simmons (5-9, 225).

“We will be a little inexperienced up front and will have to plug some pieces in,” Walker said. “We are switching from a 3-4 scheme to a 4-3 scheme. Mahoney is a two-year starter and our leader. Landon will play inside.”

Linebacker is a strong spot with two returning starters in senior Albert Ramirez (5-10, 210) on the inside and senior Lois Phipps (5-11, 185) on the outside. The other starters are sophomore Marcelino Malic (5-10, 215) on the inside and sophomore Sullivan Cantrelle (5-9, 160) on the outside.

“Albert is a three-year starter,” Walker said. Freshman Byron Perrilliat will play linebacker and will also play some at running back. He is young but he is talented. We will give him an opportunity.”

The secondary is inexperienced. Junior Ja’Quan Price (5-6, 120) will play one corner. It is his first year as a starter. Sophomore Colby Bufkin moves from running back, where he played as a freshman, to the cornerback spot.

The free safety is freshman Jokel Scott (5-11, 135).

“We lost Ari Baker who moved back to Michigan,” Walker said. “We are young in the deep. Scott has stepped up as a freshman. We need others to do the same. We will play a few guys both ways.”

Freshman David Diz and junior Bryan Borjas will handle kicking duties while Campbell is the punter.

The schedule opens with two road games, against Livingston Collegiate and Hammond.

Home games follow with St. Martin’s Episcopal, Grace King and Albany.

“This is a brand new schedule for us,” Walker said. “Livingston has a big quarterback and talent. Hammond is a talented 5A school. St. Martin’s has a great running back. Grace King is the one familiar opponent. Coach Brian Glover has done an excellent job. I do not know much about Albany.”

District 9-4A play begins against The Willow School before meeting McMain. A very tough game follows against powerful De La Salle.

The regular season closes with tough district games against Booker T. Washington and Kenner Discovery.

“The goal is to play Kenner Discovery in the last game with a chance to make the playoffs,” Walker said. “We did not get a chance to play them last year. It is a big game. Booker T. Washington and De La Salle are the favorites to win the league. I coached with Coach (Graham) Jarrott previously (De La Salle) and we are good friends.”

After winning just one game a year ago, Riverdale appears poised to improve in 2022 with an experienced offense. The question is how much improvement is on the horizon with a young defense.

“The number one goal is to make the playoffs,” Walker said. “It hasn’t been done in a long time at Riverdale. We are striving to improve every game. We want to have a winning record in non-district play. We want to win at least six games and we feel that will get us in the playoffs.”

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