2024 Team Preview: Riverside Vikings (2)

Written by: David Mika on Sunday, August 18th, 2024. Follow David Mika on Twitter.

Head Coach: Harry Armstrong (entering 12 seasons, career 77-55)

Assistant Coaches:
Bryan Besecker
Marty Gramigna
Brian Jones
Ted Jackson Jr
Charlie Grande
Vito Quaglia

Team Name: Riverside Vikings

District: 2

Class: 2A

League: Lackawanna Football Conference, Division 3

2023 Record: 8-4

8/25 @ West Scranton (5A) 7:00 pm W 47-39
9/01 Mid Valley (2A) 7:00 pm L 12-14
9/08 @ Lakeland (2A) 7:00 pm W 46-0
9/15 Dunmore (2A) 7:00 pm L 16-20
9/22 Mahanoy Area (1A) 7:00 pm W 49-28
9/29 @ Carbondale Area* (3A) 7:00 pm W 63-14
10/06 Lackawanna Trail* (1A) 7:00 pm L 21-28
10/13 @ Susquehanna Community* (2A) 7:00 pm W 37-6
10/20 Old Forge* (1A) 7:00 pm W 45-7
10/28 @ Holy Cross* (2A) 1:00 pm W 56-0
11/03 @ Mid Valley (2A) 7:00 pm W 28-6
11/10 @ Dunmore (2A) 7:00 pm L 7-13

Key Starters lost:
WR-Ath Reese Gaughan
RB/LB Robby Garvey
OL Ed Snee Jr
OL/DL Chad Hoskins
OL/DL Zach Chilek
WR/DB Casey O’Brien
DB/WR Gerry Rose

Offensive Starters Returning:
SR QB 5’11 195 Chase Taddoino
SR TE 6’1 230 Richie Kostoff
JR OL 6’4 285 Tavian Branch
SR OL 6’4 215 Sonique Conell-Murray
SR WR 6’ 165 JJ Rogers

Defensive Starters Returning:
SS Chase Taddoino
LB Richie Kostoff
DL Tavian Branch
DL Sonique Conell-Murray
DB JJ Rogers
LB Quinn Pucilowski

Special Team Starters Returning:
K/P Santino D’Amico
PR/KOR – JJ Rogers

Key Newcomers:
C/DE Graydon Dupree
RB/LB Ny-Jai Scott-Holt
DB Angel Grande
WR/DB Jared Jackson
LB Madden Sandly
TE/LB Max Jackson
OL/DL Josh Ramos
DB Carmello Barnett
WR/DB Brayden Rose

2024 Returning Player Stats:
QB Taddonio – 120-186 1723 yds 24 TD, 291 yds rushing 8TDs.
TE-LB Kostoff 30 Rec 414 yds 5 TD – 59 tkls, 9 TFL, 1 FF.
WR Rogers 24 rec 418 yds 5 TD.
LB Quinn Pucilowski 64 tkls, 4 saks, 12 TFL, 3 fum rec.

2024 Outlook:  Riverside will be one of the top teams in District 2. Experienced playmakers returning on both sides of the ball, led by 4-year starter, and D1 recruit Richie Kostoff, 3-yr starter QB Chade Taddonio, and Tavian Branch, who is rapidly being recognized as one of the premiere OL/DL recruits in the country. Branch already has offers from Rutgers, PITT, Cincinnati, and Temple. The hidden keys will be the level of impact that our returning play-makers on the perimeter can make: WR’s – SR JJ Rogers and SO Brayden Rose – a 6’3 acrobatic athlete, with D-1 potential will create exciting plays on the outside. In the backfield we are counting on RB Ny-jai Scott-Holt to lead the way. The depth of our OL and the development of newcomers C Graydon Dupre, G Josh Ramos, David Kieper, Abe Padytel, and Exavier Pelton will be the biggest key to the success of the offense. We certainly will be highly competitive and incredibly entertaining to watch. And on Special teams, we have an excellent kick game led by All-League K/P Santino D’Amico and Kick/Punt returner JJ Rogers. In 2023 we blocked 4 punts and recovered 3 onside kicks.

Offense: Riverside will continue to run its high-powered, wide-open offense. Expect JJ Rogers and Richie Kostoff to lead our receiving group as well as talented Sophomore, Jared Jackson and Brayden Rose. Our OL will be BIG, FAST, and PHYSICAL. The development of 3 new starters at C, RG, RT will be key for us to compete in the playoffs. Our conductor of the Offense – QB Chase Taddonio brings poise, grit, experience, and talent to the QB position that will make it difficult for defenses to slow down.

Defense: 2023 was a phenomenal season for the Viking Defense. Ranked #1 or #2 in each defensive category, we expect to improve in 24’! Executing a fast aggressive style with multiple fronts and blitz, we will rely heavily on our star DEF players: Branch, Pucilowski, Kostoff, and Rogers. We will have Size and Speed across the front 7. At DE’s 6’4 215 lb Sonique Connell-Murray, and 6’1 235lb Graydon Dupre, and at DT 6’ 295 Josh Ramos will create a formidable group for any opponent. On the 2nd level at LB’s: Leading tackler, 3-yr starter 6’ 205 lb Quinn Pucilowski, MLB 4-yr starter 6’2 230 lb KOSTOFF, combined with a deep group of talented newcomers 6’1 200 lb Madden Sandly, 5’11 205 lb Ny-Jai Scott-Holt, Zack Hauswirth, and Timani Poteat will provide a deep and talented LB group. Our secondary will be led by 6’ 165 lb JJ Rogers – Chase Taddonio returns at Strong Safety, and 6’ 180 lb Sophomore Jared Jackson will be playing Safety. At CB, 5’8 175 lb Angel Grande and 6’ 145 lb Carmello Barnett are quickly becoming a very good tandem. Cooper Borowski 5’11 160 lb speedster has a chance to compete at CB or Safety.

Special Team: 1st Team All-League K/P and NCAA recruit, Santino D’Amico will be a luxurious weapon for the Vikings. D‘Amico currently has an active streak of 50 consecutive X-Pt/FG attempts. He is also a wiz with the ball on onside kicks Rogers in the return game and a group of fast, physical players who take tremendous pride in special teams will hopefully continue to give Riverside a major advantage in special teams and field position

2024 Riverside Vikings
Interview with Head Football Coach Harry Armstrong @vikingssportspa @riversideviking #PAHSFB @hsfbamerica pic.twitter.com/goFNtDdJp3

— EasternPAFootball (@EPAFootball) July 30, 2024