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HANNIBAL -- River High's Mike Flannery has enjoyed plenty of coaching success over his 37 years on the sideline, from Flagler-Palm Coast in Florida, St. John Central, Paden City and the last 21 at his alma mater.
A former record-setting QB at West Liberty U., he continues to reinforce the notion that a playbook can never be too thick and his quarterbacks over the years have always adapted.
His juggernaut Pilots from a year ago averaged 43 ppg and reached the D-VII Region 27 championship before a 27-12 loss to OVAC nemesis Newark Catholic ended a memorable 12-2 record season.
On their way to the R27 title clash, River defeated Miller (49-6), Fairfield Christian (55-12) and Caldwell (42-6).
"We return 16 lettermen out of the 36 in camp, but we graduated six starters from each side of the ball," said Flannery, whose squad debuts at Martin Flannery Field, Thursday against D-VI Colonel Crawford, which has only lost three regular season games in three years and made the playoffs each time.
"The major thing is we have our field general back on offense and defense," as Flannery described returning all-Ohio first-team quarterback Kabel Isaly (5-10, 165), one of 11 seniors at the Hannibal-based school. Isaly, adept on the rollout, threw for 2,285 yards and a 33 TDs last fall and ran for eight TDs. He'll anchor the defensive backfield.
Flannery believes his senior backfield 1-2 punch in Kaden Johnson (6-0, 240), an honorable mention all-Ohio on defense, and Finn Bowers (6-1, 220) could be the best duo in the area. Both had 55 carries and close to 300 yards a year ago, but expect a hefty workload this fall.
"We have to be creative to get them the ball. They complement each other and when one's hot the other blocks and both are fast, bigger than last season, and strong."
Two senior receiver weapons are Maddox Mozena (6-1, 195) and Colton Cisar (5-11, 160). Mozena missed time last season with a shoulder injury, "but both have had great summers in the weight room," noted the RHS boss.
Senior linemen are led by Mathew Gregg (6-0, 245), Cooper Cordery (5-11, 260), and Hunter Nething (5-10, 270), while Zeke Zola (5-8, 260) and Dominic Asturi (5-9, 228) will press for starting roles. Rounding out the senior list is returning cornerback Devin McElwain.
Gregg missed most of last season with an ACL injury, while Cordery spent the majority of time on the O-line.
A seven-man junior class is led by returning all-Ohio first teamer Peyton Blue (6-0, 275), who is as versatile as any Pilot on the roster.
He has played center and tight end on offense, outside linebacker and end on 'D' also is the Pilot punter.
Flannery has asked junior Lucas Dennis (5-10, 150) to be the leader of the receiving corps, while his wheels should make him a special teams threat every time he touches the ball. Kaden Conner (5-4, 130) is another wideout junior.
Good size among the junior lineman has Derek Smith (6-4, 375), Parker Bennet (5-10, 200), Corey Marks (5-11, 290), and Jayden Mitchell (5-10, 170).
Flannery sees a few of his 11 skilled sophomores to find varsity reps. Five wideout prospects are Trail Thompson (6-0, 165), Tyler Winkler (160), Brody Mozena (5-11, 155), Aiden Milhoan (5-10, 150), and Everett Edgell (5-9, 130). Carter Piatt (5-6, 210) is a center candidate.
Quarterback Wyatt Majors (5-9, 170) is understudy to Isaly, while Braden Johnson (5-10, 150) is a running back. A line trio are Brody Stewart (5-10, 175), Hunter Strawn (5-11, 160), and Brayden Schmidt (6-0, 170).
A cast of seven frosh include linemen Wyatt Jones (6-0, 240) and Michael Schultheis (5-10, 170), and backs Trey Larrick (5-10, 170) and Wyatt Stalder (6-0, 155). Receivers are Peyton Weese (5-11, 150), Evan Longwell (5-9, 130), and Holden Dietrich (5-7, 110).
Graduation hit the Rivermen where their bread was buttered as departures include first-team all-Ohio back Brody Lollathin( 39 rec., 1,111 yds, 11 TDs, 400 rushing), an OVAC All-Star game participant and one of the top dual threats in RHS history. Also gone are a pair of third-team all-Ohioans – linebacker Ty Long (70 tackles) and lineman Brayden Strawn (62 solos), now at Marietta College.
Others earning diplomas are: linemen Marshall Bier and Mason Randall; receiver River Thompson (50 rec., 600 yds, 10 TDs), defensive specialist Clee Mitchell, tackles Travis Childress and Chattum Lively, and kicker Max Castro, now at Salem for baseball.
"We have to replace three off the O-line and two down tackles on defense," said Flannery, "but our linebackers (Bowers, Johnson, Blue) are a strength. We can't have injuries."
A big turnover in River assistants saw OVAC Hall of Famer and former head coach Terry Snively resign. "I really appreciated (Terry) and wish him the best. He's someone I've looked up to for a long time." Snively was part of Pilot football since the '78 season.
Also Kyle Ritz (head coach) and Joey Asturi moved to Tyler Consolidated, Kevin Welsch (head coach) now at Belpre, and Kevin James (Brooke, principal). "I'll miss the camaraderie with those guys."
New to the staff but a famiiiar face is defensive coordinator Mark Holenka, who had 20-plus years at River as a Snively assistant before matriculating to Shadyside, and his son-in-law Chase Grinch. Others in the RHS program with either varsity or Junior High are Matt Abbott, Tyler Abbott, Tony Francis, Chase Lawrence, Tim Tisher, Marty Winkler, Chris Wisvari, and Andrew Harper.
Also a Mid-Ohio Valley League member, River once again is in OHSAA Region 27 . The only other schedule change has Buckeye Local replacing Philip-Barbour.