Riverdale looks to continue gridiron improvement

It has always been a challenge at Riverdale but Kyle Walker has embraced the obstacles head-on and done a solid job.

Entering his fourth season, Walker has slowly built the Rebels into a competitive squad, most recently posting three wins in 2022.

The growth process continues as do the expectations of more success, gaining a few additional players with the closure of Grace King.

“This is only our second normal year,” Walker said. “We got four young men who played at Grace King previously. Perhaps more will show up but we like the players we have returning.”

Riverdale got a taste of playoff experience against an elite program in Acadiana last season. It was the first playoff appearance by Riverdale in eight seasons.

“Just going to the playoffs was great,” Walker said. “The kids were excited, our administration was excited. Getting that experience against a program like Acadiana, you knew what you were going to get. Just taking the kids on the road in a playoff atmosphere was great.”

While the result was predictably one-sided, the opportunity to see what a top-flight program looks like and to compete against one of the best was valuable.

Also valuable is the experience of the team returning as the Rebels have 15 starters back from last season.

“This is absolutely the best position I’ve been in since I took the job,” Walker said. “This is my first full class of players. We do not have a lot of seniors and we have a lot of young talent coming up. With this senior class, they are very focused on where they want to be.

“I’m letting them go with being the leaders and I am there to guide them. They have taken over. We started nine freshmen last year and made the playoffs. There is a lot to be excited about.”

That includes eight on offense.

There are a pair of quarterbacks ready to get the job done, including a returning starter in sophomore Lance Simmons (5-11, 175), who completed 37 of 89 passes for 505 yards and two touchdowns and rushed 75 times for 265 yards and a score last season. Simmons will split time with junior Rida Ghazzali (6-2, 180), who has earned the opportunity to play as well.

“We have a competition at the position,” Walker said. “Simmons is back with good experience and Ghazzali can throw the ball and he got valuable experience in the Acadiana game. We will give both a chance to win the job and if both bring something valuable to the table, we will go with a two-quarterback system. Both players are pushing each other. There is some merit to it.”

The backfield is solid with every starter returning, including senior Elijah Brown (6-1, 225), who rushed 101 times for 566 yards and three touchdowns last season, senior Luis Enriquez, who carried 97 times for 505 yards and six touchdowns and sophomores Byron Perrilliat (5-11, 185) and Dax Boesch.

Perriliat rushed 56 times for 360 yards and two scores while Boesch carried 50 times for 295 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Ari Baker (5-10, 175) is back in the program as well, returning after a year in Michigan, and junior Colby Bufkin (5-11, 175) is a captain who will play both ways.

“We are heavy on running the ball and heavy on solid running backs,” Walker said. “We don’t throw it much. Seven on seven is over. We are ready to run it. We have strong guys and Elijah is perhaps the strongest player I have ever had. I’ve never seen a kid so strong in the weight room at running back. Luis is a proven senior as well.”

Junior tight end Pierson Morgan (5-10, 195) returns while a pair of offensive linemen are back, including senior tackle Jalen Reed (6-4, 260) and sophomore guard Peyton Jelks (5-11, 270). The new starters up front are junior center Trade Dakin (5-9, 200), junior guard Braydon Jenkins (5-8, 235) and senior tackle Nyron Haskin (6-0, 245).

“We graduated two offensive linemen, including Zachary Thomas, now playing at Louisiana-Lafayette,” Walker said. “Reed is big with great upside and is a leader and Jelks is good and proven. The big question mark is at center, where we still have a competition.” We have two tackles who can play, Haskin got playing time last year.”

Seven starters return on defense.

Up front, junior tackle Landon Simmons (5-9, 280) is back to lend size and experience and he is joined by another returning starter in Mahoney at end. Junior Cortez Tombs (6-2, 195) and freshman Darnell Bolton (5-10, 195) are the new starters. Greg Paris comes over from Grace King at defensive end, who started for the Irish last season.

“Landon is the brother of our quarterback and he’s been working hard,” Walker said. “We added Tombs, who was ineligible last year and that allows us to put Taylor Mahoney at linebacker.”

At linebacker, Mahoney (5-10, 185 Sr.) anchors the defense. Mahoney had 27 tackles with three sacks in 2022. He is joined by two other returning starters in senior Christian Dean (5-9, 215) and Bufkin (5-9, 160). Marsalino Malik will also start.”

The secondary has a pair of starters back.

At cornerback, Baker is a good one while sophomore strong safety Toren Signal (6-2, 175) also returns with great size and range. The new starters are senior Byron Carter (5-10, 160) at corner and sophomore Dwain Swilley (6-3, 190) at free safety.

“I feel like this is the best secondary we’ve had in a while,” Walker said. “We get Baker back and that is huge. He went to Michigan last year and he has returned as a senior and we’re excited to have him. He makes all our defensive calls. He’s a 4.5 GPA student. We turn to him with any issues.

“Signal and Swilley are the high safeties and I cannot imagine two bigger safeties on any team. They are long and get to the ball. We’re thrilled to have them.”

Sophomore David Diaz is the kicker while junior Khrist Ramirez handles punting duties.

The schedule opens on August 31 at Joe Yenni Stadium against Livingston Collegiate before a trip to face a tough Hammond squad. The Rebels stay close to home in week three, at St. Martin’s Episcopal before hosting Douglass for Homecoming on Sept. 21. Road games with Albany and The Willow School follow before a home game with Houma Christian.

“We opened with Livingston last year,” Walker said. “They were prepared and we were not ready for it with nine freshmen starting. Hammond is tough. St. Martin’s has a spectacular running back in Harlem Berry. I don’t know much about Douglass. We return to Albany, where we scored well last year. Willow is in our league but does not compete for district honors. We are not familiar with Houma Christian.”

District 9-4A play opens with the toughest in dominant De La Salle on Oct. 19 at Joe Yenni Stadium before the Rebels play Booker T. Washington at Pan American Stadium and close at Yenni against Kenner Discovery.

“We know what De La Salle has,” Walker said. “I’m good friends with Graham Jarrott. As a graduate, I know how good that school and program are. Booker T. Washington lost their star running back in Arnold Barnes. Hopefully, we can give them a run. Kenner Discovery is now our big rival and an improving program.”

Riverdale remains young but an experienced team that is poised to build on the progress made last season.

“I cannot stress enough on how hard we have worked and the young men have worked and I love the growth we’ve had,” Walker said. “I wish we were further around. Everyone talks about a five-year plan and this is year four with abnormal years included.

“When you see change within three years, you know you are doing something well. They have bought in and we’ve really changed the way our players talk to one another and the culture of our team. I don’t think there’s any reason we cannot compete for the district title.”

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