High Desert Football Preview: Riverside Prep aims to bounce back from a fifth-place finish
Nestled in Oro Grande, just off of Route 66, sits Riverside Prep, which houses a lush green synthetic turf football field still awaiting its first-ever home playoff game.
The Riverside Prep football program missed the playoffs last season following a fifth-place finish in the Mesquite League standings, snapping the school's streak of three consecutive seasons with a postseason berth.
In those three playoff appearances, every game was played on the road — the Silver Knights have yet to play a postseason game on home turf.
Could 2023 finally be that year?
If you’re one that buys into CalPreps.com ratings, chances are the Silver Knights won’t make the playoffs and may even finish fifth in the standings again.
Entering the 2023 season, Riverside Prep has a -64.5 rating, which is the fifth-best in the six-team Mesquite League.
But for Steve Randall, who is in his second season as head coach, none of that stuff matters.
A new addition to the football program brings a certain winning pedigree that Randall hopes translates onto the gridiron.
Raoul Churchill has already made an instant impact on the program and figures to play a key role for the Silver Knights. Churchill, a star basketball player at Riverside Prep, knows a thing about postseason runs.
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The Riverside Prep boys basketball team has made deep postseason runs in consecutive seasons with Churchill playing a key role for the squad.
“I know that basketball is his first love but he’s here giving football a shot in his senior year,” Randall said. “He’s a guy that has a winning pedigree on campus after the last two playoff runs with the basketball team. He brings that swag to the team and I think that is really good to have around all our younger players.”
Key players
Randall describes Churchill as a hybrid defensive back that will also slot in at wide receiver.
“That guy is a real shutdown corner that will be up against the other team’s best wide receiver,” Randall said. “If he’s lined up on the outside, then he will be at cornerback. But if he has to guard a slot receiver then he will spend time as a safety for us. He’s going to be so much fun to watch this year.”
The Silver Knights are going to need a huge season from Churchill on offense, along with the rest of the wide receivers.
Riverside Prep saw most of the team’s wide receivers graduate last year, including top target Aaron Smith, who reeled in 41 catches for 661 yards and three touchdowns last season.
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Randall is hoping a batch of sophomores and juniors that saw limited action at the position will also step up.
“That’s where we are undermanned the most because we lost a lot last year,” Randall said.
As for the defense, brothers Demetrius and Demarkus Williams, along with Kevin Maye will be relied on to stack the box defensively for the Silver Knights.
Demetrius, a 6-foot-5 and 285-pound nose guard, figures to push the defensive front.
His younger brother Demarkus, listed at 6-foot-1 and 180 pounds, will line up at linebacker alongside Maye, listed at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds.
“These three guys should really be able to anchor the middle up for us this year,” Randall said. “The size and strength that they bring will truly be our strength, collectively this season. I’m excited about having them all.”
That same size and strength combo will also be called upon to solidify the offensive line and protect returning quarterback Brody McDonagh.
As a junior, McDonagh threw for 1,125 yards and seven touchdowns, while splitting time at quarterback with Major Brown. In the limited action, McDonagh also threw 12 interceptions.
“He got some experience at the position last year and has been having a good camp,” Randall said. “We will see how it all goes now that he has the full-time starting job.”
Randall is excited about the return of Marion Brown to the team. He’s going to be the workhorse out of the backfield as he returns from a broken collar bone, suffered last season.
“He’s probably going to be our dude,” Randall said. “He’s our running back and a safety. He suffered that season-ending injury during Week 7 and has fully rehabbed. He’s back bigger and stronger than last year and that’s exciting.”
Staying put
There was speculation that Riverside Prep would join and become the sixth team in the Desert Sky League. But that was unsuccessful and voted against within the league, according to Randall.
Instead, the team will continue to compete within the Mesquite League, which includes teams from out of the area.
Last year, Riverside Prep finished fifth in the league standings with a 1-4 record. The Silver Knights went 3-7 overall.
Riverside Prep opens the season on the road against Bosco Tech on Aug. 18. There isn't a home game scheduled until Sept. 8, with San Bernardino making a trek up the Cajon Pass to Oro Grande.
Team schedule
Aug. 18 — Riverside Prep at Bosco Tech
Aug. 25 — Riverside Prep at Pacific
Sept. 1 — Riverside Prep at Boron
Sept. 8 — San Bernardino at Riverside Prep
Sept. 15 — Vasquez at Riverside Prep
Sept. 29 — Riverside Prep at Western Christian
Oct. 6 — Trinity Classical Academy at Riverside Prep
Oct. 13 — Riverside Prep at Capistrano Valley Christian
Oct. 20 — Riverside Prep at Arrowhead Christian
Oct. 27 — Linfield Christian at Riverside Prep
Editor's note — The Daily Press is putting together a comprehensive High Desert high school football preview for the 2023 season. This is the third story in a series that will continue until the start of the season.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: High Desert Football Preview: Riverside Prep aims to bounce back from a fifth-place finish
