Wells set for Year 2 as Falcons coach

MOUNT BLANCHARD– Year 1 didn't go as perfectly as they'd hoped, but coach Jon Wells and the Riverdale Falcons are primed and ready for Year 2 together. Following a 3-7 season where the Falcons went 2-6 in the Blanchard Valley Conference, Riverdale was plagued by a new problem: a lack of bodies. The Falcons rostered 35 players a season ago, with seven seniors. This year, the Falcons had just 20 players leading up to camp, but were able to grow that number to 27 on their official roster. "We knew numbers were gonna be down this year," Wells said. "Our freshman class is small and our senior class is small. We knew it was gonna be down, and we just had a few kids decide they didn't wanna play."There are five in that small senior class for the Falcons, including their starting quarterback. QB Grant Inbody, who started every game under center for Riverdale a year ago, struggled in his first season as a starting signal-caller. The Falcons ran a very run-heavy offense last season, so Inbody didn't get a ton of opportunities to expand on his passing game. Inbody completed 26 of his 68 passes as a junior, throwing for 345 yards and eight interceptions. Inbody attempted 30 fewer passes than any other starting BVC quarterback a season ago, but now steps into an even bigger leadership role as a senior. Inbody is stepping up, not only because he's a senior, but also because the Falcons' leader from a season ago on both sides of the ball is now gone. Loukas Carter, who was the focal point of the Falcons' offense and the spearhead of their defense, graduated in May and left a major hole in Riverdale's lineups. Carter rushed for 803 yards in 2024, scoring nine touchdowns on 160 carries. On defense, Carter was named second-team All-BVC as a linebacker. He tallied the third most tackles in the BVC with 99, including 62 solo and 19 tackles for loss. Carter wasn't the only back to make an impact for the Falcons in 2024, though.Returning as a junior is running back Kydin Reed. Reed was named All-BVC honorable mention as a sophomore, rushing for 311 yards on 76 carries. Now, the Falcons are hoping Reed can step up and fill some of Carter's role in 2025. Landen Bailey, who, in the backfield with Reed and Carter last season, posted 199 yards on 60 carries as a junior, but will not be on the roster this season. Joining Reed in the backfield will be juniors Jackson Armrose and Kaleb Risner. Armrose, who hasn't suited up for the Falcons since junior high, will play a variety of roles for the Falcons, including running back, receiver, and defensive back. Risner started on the line last season, earning All-BVC honorable mention, recording 58 tackles, is transitioning into a wingback for the team as a junior. "Our kids are working hard, we've had quite a commitment from the kids we do have," Wells said. "We're excited about that. They've put the time in, and definitely seen gains in the offseason, in the weight room. I'm looking forward to how that translates onto the football field."The Falcons' receiving corps, who is down the top receiver from last year in Dalton Myers (10 receptions, 191 yards), has some new faces hoping to develop early chemistry with Inbody. Juniors Trent Locke and Cale Young, sophomore Dom Benitez, and freshman Trent Brown will all look to contribute as receivers. Young was named All-BVC honorable mention as a wide receiver/defensive back in 2024 but will move to outside linebacker on defense. Locke, Benitez, and Brown were all mentioned by Wells as prospects to watch this year on both sides of the ball.The Falcons begin their season with a home contest against Ridgemont in week one, before opening BVC play with a road game versus Arlington in week two."We preached in the offseason about accountability and commitment, we got that commitment from a lot of these kids," Wells added. "That by itself, you add all that work in from April on, when you lose it's gonna hurt a lot more, compared to if you show up in July, we lose, oh well. I'm hoping that commitment will also translate into bigger and better things. We're building the blocks to be a successful program. We'll keep fighting, we look to compete in every single game this year. That's the goal. Hopefully, we knock off a few teams we're probably not supposed to."