River View is still rebuilding, but the seniors hope to start the turnaround now

WARSAW — Rebuilding a program, like River View, takes time.

Coach Thom Lesiecki has seen strides, like having 35 players out for the Black Bears, who were 0-10 and scored only 24 points a year ago.

"We've improved physically and mentally. The time we've put in at the weight room has helped us improve our size," he said. "I've been impressed and happy with the guys we have here and the time they've put in."

Black Bears leaning on seniors

River View has nine seniors to lead the way, but with no juniors, a class of 12 sophomores will see significant time on Friday nights.

"This senior group has gotten the job done and set the tone. They've come a long way in my three years here," Lesiecki said. "I like what this group brings to the table and their dedication to the weight room. They've set the example for all of our players in this locker room."

The offense will be led by sophomore quarterback Gavin Huff, senior running back Kydron Snow and wingbacks, senior Brodey Buxton and sophomore Maguire Werntz. Snow is a three-year letter winner, Buxton has earned two letters and Huff and Werntz received plenty of playing time as freshmen.

The offensive line will be anchored by senior Conley Weber, who returns at center, and senior Landon Frame, who has two years of varsity experience.

Senior Colton Dorsey and sophomores Logan Frame, Jesse West, Hudson Cox and Karson Tidwell round out the offensive line, while seniors Daniel McCarthy (wide receiver) and Dalyn Lemon (tight end) also return. West and Tidwell also received varsity letters last season.

Landon and Logan Frame, West, Weber and Lemon will share time on the defensive line, while the linebackers include Snow, Werntz, senior Blayne Mounts and sophomore Denim Daugherty, another letter winner, and the secondary will feature Buxton, Huff, sophomore Brody Birkhimer and McCarthy.

Lesiecki has 15 freshmen, who will play a freshmen schedule, on the varsity roster. Some of them are also likely to contribute on varsity.

"We have a hard-working group of sophomores. They played a ton last year and gained some valuable experience," he said. "I'm happy with what we have with our freshmen. Our focus is get experience at their level, but with our lack of numbers, it's likely some of them will have to play on Friday nights."

The schedule remains tough with road games at Garaway and Ridgewood to open the season before hosting Massillon Tuslaw in Week 3. The Black Bears also face the Muskingum Valley League Big School Division with crossovers against West Muskingum (Week 5) and rival Coshocton (Week 10).

"We have to find a way to win a game. That's the first step to building this program to where we want it to be," Lesiecki noted. "We're building it from first grade through 12th, and we've seen progress. It will take some time, but getting a win would be huge confidence boost for this group."

Inside the huddle

Key returnees: Brodey Buxton (RB/DB, sr.), Kydron Snow (RB/LB, sr.); Daniel McCarthy (WR/DB, sr.); Landon Frame (OL/DL, sr.); Conley Weber (OL/DL, sr.); Dalyn Lemon (TE/DL, sr.); Maguire Werntz (RB/LB, so.); Gavin Huff (QB/DB, so.).

Key newcomers: Blayne Mounts (RB/LB, sr.); Gavin Wilson (OL/DL, sr.); Colton Dorsey (OL/DL, sr.); Logan Frame (OL/DL, so.); Brody Birkhimer (WR/DB, so.).

Coaching staff: Head coach Thom Lesiecki, Gary Giffin, Stephen Good, Mike Gray, Nic Mallon, Brayden McCoy, Tyler McKee, Logan Slade, Wess Wallace, Chris Werntz.

Classification: Division V, Region 17

Last Muskingum Valley League title: None

Last playoff appearance: 2020

Last playoff win: None

Regional titles: 0

2024 River View football schedule

Aug. 23 @ Garaway

Aug. 30 @ Ridgewood

Sept. 6 Massillon Tuslaw

Sept. 13 Philo

Sept. 20 West Muskingum

Sept. 27 @ Sheridan

Oct. 4 @ Tri-Valley

Oct. 11 John Glenn

Oct. 18 Morgan

Oct. 25 @ Coshocton

bhannahs@gannett.com; X: @brandonhannahs

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: River View is still rebuilding, but the seniors hope to start the turnaround now