EAGLES TURNING THE CORNER WITH TALENT IN NEW LEAGUE

BY ISAAC THOMAS For The Times

Riverside Military Academy football coach Nick Garrett is hoping that change is good for his program.

With 12 rising seniors in 2022, the Eagles will be making the transition into the private-school league, the Georgia Independent Athletics Association.

And after posting one win in 2021 and not fielding a football program at the school in 2020, Riverside Military will benefit from the step down in competition to better suit its talent and participation levels.

Despite the move, its division will still have some strong programs.

Riverside Military will face Lakeview Academy, George Walton Academy, Bethlehem Christian and Loganville Christian in league play.

A blended schedule with GHSA opponents, the Eagles will open their season against Lumpkin County on Aug. 19 in Dahlonega.

Riverside Military will also face Oglethorpe County and Druid Hills, before its division schedule opens against at George Walton Academy on Oct. 7.

After last making the postseason in 2018, the Eagles certainly have the talent to make things interesting this season.

Leading the way for Riverside Military will be senior running back Rodney Robinson, who has been at the private boarding school since eighth grade, Garrett said.

“He is an influential leader,” Garrett said. “A high-energy guy, he is going to give you 150%. He flies around 100 miles per hour on special teams, at running back, at defensive back. I mean, heck, if you wanted him to sell some Gatorade at halftime, mow some lawns, do some laundry, and come back and play some football, he is one of those guys that’s going to get it done.”

Perhaps the most experienced position group for the Eagles is their offensive line.

Riverside Military returns three starters up front, led by senior center Zach Miller.

He will be working alongside 6-foot-6 senior offensive tackle Zichen Zhang and senior guard Stone Phillips.

Senior Jeremiah Shaw takes over as Riverside Military’s quarterback, his first year with the school.

Also working under center this season will be Idan Azani, the program’s ‘Swiss Army knife.’

Azani is a two-sport athlete at Riverside Military and will use that athletic ability at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and in the defensive secondary for the Eagles, his coach said.

“He just has incredible body control and is extremely coachable,” Garrett said. “I have always been a firm advocate that the two and three-sport athletes usually transition really well into football. Those guys, with their athleticism and speed, have the ability to make a play at any time during the game.”

Leading the way at wide receiver for the Eagles is returning junior Jhai Ballard, along with seniors Anthony Chirombo and Wallace Kerr.

While they may be low in numbers, compared to other school, Riverside Military makes up for that with their players ability to fit roles on both sides of the field.

“With that group, I know it is a large number of names, but those guys embody what the brand is for our program, and what it takes to get us into a competitive season,” Garrett said.