Beginning his 22nd season roaming the sidelines at his alma mater, River High head coach Mike Flannery can be described as an offensive guru with a thick playbook among the most complex in the OVAC.

A former record-setting quarterback at West Liberty U., Flannery has directed the Pilots to 12 OHSAA playoff trips, including last fall when a 9-3 record Hannibal crew reached the semi-final round in D-VII Region 27 before a 21-14 loss to Reedsville Eastern.

The Rivermen usually benefit from strong QB play over the years, but when the Pilots debut Thursday night after a four hour plus bus ride to D-VI Colonel Crawford, Flannery will have a quarterback taking snaps for the first time.

“We’re going to be digging deep for starters, especially behind center,” said Flannery, pointing out his 37-man roster has “a lot of positions to fill this season so our juniors and sophomores are competing hard for starting roles.”

River returns four on offense and six on defense, including versatile senior Peyton Blue (6-0, 282), who has played nearly every position since his freshman season – from center to linebacker to tight end to guard.

“(Peyton) missed the second half of last season with an injury as a lineman, but we’re moving him to be at a skill spot.”

Coach Mike Flannery discusses the upcoming season

Blue and fellow senior letterman Lucas Dennis (5-10, 160) are in the quarterback room early in conditioning, along with sophomores Wyatt Stalder and Trey Larrick.

Flannery is hopeful by opening night a QB frontrunner will emerge from the Pilots scrimmages.

Dennis, one of fastest players in the Pilot camp and is a threat to take it the distance, was a big part of River’s explosive offense (42 ppg) a year ago with some highlight-reel TD runs.

Other senior lettermen include a pair of valuable two-year starters in big lineman Derek Smith (6-5, 362), who excelled at nose tackle, and linebacker/back Parker Bennett (5-9, 216).

Rounding out the senior cast are DB/WR Beau Charlton (5-11, 185) and linemen Corey Marks (6-0, 285) and Jayden Mitchell (5-10, 169).

“One thing about this team is the camaraderie,” Flannery pointed out.

“A laid-back bunch, but I couldn’t be more proud they showed up all summer for lifting and conditioning.”

“It’s going to take the best 11 on both sides of the ball, but we’ll be a running team using the wishbone and using a 4-3 defense.”

Eleven juniors are led by center/d-liner Carter Piatt (5-7, 210), “who stepped in for Blue mid-season and did a good job,” added the River mentor.

Other 11th grade linemen are Brody Stewart (5-11, 190), Nate Haslam (5-10, 160), and Hunter Strawn (5-10, 154).

Linebackers are Braden Johnson (5-10, 160) and Gunner Bennett (5-11, 158), while receivers Trail Thompson (6-2, 174) and Tyler Winkler (6-0, 181) could see extended time on ‘D’ at corner and end.

Aiden Milhoan (5-10, 148) and Everett Edgell (5-10, 142) should be part of the receiving corps, while Wyatt Majors (5-10, 205) looks solid as the Pilots’ punter and placekicker.

Flannery pointed to trips to Col. Crawford, Martins Ferry, Monroe Central and Barnesville among the first five weeks (Magnolia home week 4) will be a challenge.

“Those schools are D-V and D-VI so it’s absolutely critical we stay healthy.”

A talented group of eight sophomores is led by running back/linebacker Stalder (6-0, 151) and two-way back Larrick (5-10, 177), while end Ayson McBride (6-2, 180) and receiver Holden Dietrich (5-9, 125) are aiming for playing time.

Defensive ends are Michael Schultheis (5-11, 225) and Peyton Weese (6-1, 162), while a pair of interior linemen are Jayden Jones (5-10, 303) and Wyatt Jones (6-1, 266).

A River freshman group numbers nine, but tip the scales impressively, led by linemen Tucker Hostutler (5-10, 270), Layne Heightland (6-0, 233), and Austin Ewers (5-9, 230).

More interior help for the future includes Camden Milhoan (5-11, 222), Cooper Roberts (5-11, 220), and Sydney Gust (5-3, 202).

Conner Miller (6-1, 165) is a linebacker/wideout candidate, while receiver/D-backs are Crestyn Isaly (5-9, 145) and Hunter Ruble (5-8, 125).

Graduation hit the Pilots hard as all-Ohio QB Kabel Isaly departed after a stellar career that included 100 TDs (1,008 rush yds., 6,387 passing) and 67% completion rate.

He played in the BACF and OVAC All-Star games. Also gone are the backfield duo of Kaden Johnson (now at Bethany) and Finn Bowers, a BACF All-Star rep; receivers Maddox Mozena, Colton Cisar and Devin McElwain; linemen Matthew Gregg, Zeke Zola, Hunter Nething, and Cooper Cordery, and kicker Carson Makris.

River’s coaching staff remains the same with assistants Matt Abbott, Tucker Roberts, Tyler Abbott, Tony Francis, Chase Grinch, Mark Holenka, Chase Lawrence, Mark Romick, Tim Tisher, Marty Winkler, and Chris Wisvari.

River’s schedule is an even split this season, with five home games and five road games on the docket.