Quarterback Taylen Lea adjusts his uniform before taking the field during an Aug. 7 jamboree. Photo by CJ Whittick
Despite an 0-2 start, Riverside football players and coaches believe things are looking up.
The Pirates lost their opening game 27-20 to East Wake High School, then fell to Sanderson 27-12 on August 28.
One reason for their optimism is the way that coaches and players have stepped up during the summer.
“Our team’s grown a lot,” said junior tight end Leighton Lascallette. “We’ve got a lot of key players that came back, and we’ve been going really hard in practice to get better.”
Last year the team finished with a record of 2-8.
“I think we needed that one season, ’cause most of us were sophomores and juniors,” said junior running back Jordan Harrell. “But this year, we’re supposed to be something.”
Harrell hopes the team can go 6-4 this season, but will have to support his teammates from the sideline. He tore his ACL during the Sanderson game and will miss the rest of the season. Seniors Devin Carroll and Dakari Monds will take Harrell’s place in the backfield.
There were also coaching changes this year. Tight end and strength coach Alex Hubble stepped away from the program after the 2025 season, and Darrell Bright, who was originally meant to replace Hubble, left the staff during the summer.
The coaches believe the team can have overcome these early setbacks.
“We’re a veteran-led group,” said assistant coach Bryan Hurdle. “We want to compete for the conference championship, and the goal is to just improve.”
Last season’s team had a young roster, and this year the coaches have said the new upperclassmen have been stepping up.
“[It’s about] putting the past in the past and looking forward to this season, ’cause that’s what matters,” said Harrell.
“Coach Lee has provided different camps and opportunities for kids, and they have progressed and done a wonderful job,” said Hurdle. “[defensive coordinator Markus Crutchfield] has been really big on the development part before school and after school lifting.”
“Joshua Ellmanshawi has been showing a lot starting last year and continuing this year,” said Crutchfield. “Elijah McDonald has stepped up tremendously.”
“Every season always comes with obstacles,” said Hurdle. “But it’s like we tell our players: it’s like a roller coaster. There’s gonna be ups and downs. Try to stay in the middle.”
