Everyone Knows Riverview's ID: Pirates Bringing Full House with Powerful T
By
Doug Donnelly
Special for MHSAA.com
September 5, 2024
Several years ago, Riverview football coach Derek McLaughlin was talking to a colleague about his football team when something he said struck a chord.
“I was talking to a coach that I had coached against when I was struggling, and he said something to the effect of we didn’t have an identity,” McLaughlin said.
Those days are long gone.
The Pirates and their full-house T rushing attack have become one of the most identifiable football programs in southeast Michigan. They have won or shared four straight Huron League titles, haven’t lost more than three games in a season since 2015 and are hoping for an eighth-straight playoff appearance this year.
McLaughlin said he learned by making mistakes.
“We really like the full-house T, and we went all in,” he said. “It wasn’t good the first year. It wasn’t good at all. We’ve gotten better coaching it. There is still stuff that we need to learn, but that’s what we are. We have an identity. “
Riverview has built its team around the full-house T. Opponents know what they are going to face – they just have to line up and defend it. The deeper the Pirates go into running the same system year-after-year, the harder it seems to stop.
“The kids come into our program or to the varsity and have a basic idea of what they need to do,” McLaughlin said. “It comes down to technique. You can hone in on your craft and get more reps. That’s the mindset that we have. It doesn’t always go perfectly. There are things you must do to get better.”
McLaughlin feels with the offense being so consistent from week-to-week and year-to-year, the coaches can spend more time in practice on teaching technique and, more importantly, focusing on defense.
“You really don’t get the kids that long during a day,” he said. “We try to be consistent with our reps. We are all about limiting the mistakes.”
The Pirates have a host of returning players from last season’s 9-2 team that lost in the second round of the playoffs, including leading rusher Ian Adams, who ran for more than 1,500 yards and was one of the top tacklers on the team.
In the season opener against Detroit Renaissance, Adams carried the ball only four times but had 136 yards and two touchdowns. Another back, Nathan Pinkava, also had two touchdowns and more than 100 yards rushing.
Pinkava is one of the four team captains this season along with center/defensive lineman Garrett Timmerman, quarterback and safety Lucas Thompson, and linebacker and tight end Chris Sarnacki.
When the team voted to select them during the preseason, Timmerman was nearly unanimous.
“He’s a great kid who works really hard,” McLaughlin said.
There are 47 players total. Several will get a chance to carry the ball at some point.
“A lot of different backs carry the ball,” McLaughlin said. “In our offense, we’re trying to hide the ball and those four guys in the backfield all get touches at one time or another. We have plays for each of them in the system. There’s a fairly good distribution of who gets the ball.”
McLaughlin is 77-24 in 10 seasons at Riverview. In 2017 and 2022, the Pirates reached the MHSAA Semifinals.
The 2017 team rebounded from a 2-7 season the year before with a remarkable turnaround of nine wins.
As the Pirates’ legend grows, opponents tend to circle the Riverview game on their schedule. Everyone wants to knock off the team on top of the mountain.
“Because of the success we have had – a lot of teams will come to play against us,” McLaughlin said. “They play us tough. We must be ready each week. Some of these kids have never played varsity before, and they do not quite understand yet that every week is a rivalry game. We get the kitchen sink thrown at us. It is great. I think our league prepares us well.”
Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central coach Adam Kipf is one of the league coaches who has to prepare every season for Riverview’s full-house T.
“I have a lot of respect for Coach McLaughlin,” Kipf said. “He does things the right way and demands a lot of his players. We know that when we play them, the pads are strapped tight and to be ready for a long, physical game. I think their style of play reflects him as a leader. It's nothing flashy, just hard-nosed football, gritty football, which resonates with those kids and the Riverview community.”
Riverview went 9-2 last season and shared the league title with Carleton Airport. The Jets defeated Riverview in Week 2, stopping Riverview’s 22-game Huron League win streak.
McLaughlin is not out for revenge this week when Riverview hosts Airport to start the conference schedule.
“None of that matters when you start a new year,” he said. “Nothing you’ve done in the past really matters. You have to make a difference now.
“It starts in the offseason and goes on through the summer. That is what we preach to the kids. It doesn’t make any difference if you had a bad season the year before or a great season the year before; you have to come to work. You have to make yourself better physically and be prepared.
“We focus entirely on one game at a time. That’s how we are always going to do it as long as I’m here.”
It’s an identity thing.
Doug Donnelly has served as a sports and news reporter and city editor over 25 years, writing for the Daily Chief-Union in Upper Sandusky, Ohio from 1992-1995, the Monroe Evening News from 1995-2012 and the Adrian Daily Telegram since 2013. He's also written a book on high school basketball in Monroe County and compiles record books for various schools in southeast Michigan. E-mail him at [email protected] with story ideas for Jackson, Washtenaw, Hillsdale, Lenawee and Monroe counties.
PHOTOS (Top) Riverview’s Nathan Pinkava carries the ball and eludes a Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central defender during their 2023 matchup. (Middle) Pirates coach Derek McLaughlin shares a moment with his team. (Below) Ian Adams (15) attempts to break a tackle. (Pinkava photo by Stephanie Hawkins; McLaughlin and Adams photos courtesy of the Riverview athletic department.)
1st & Goal: 2024 Playoffs Week 3 Preview
By
Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor
November 14, 2024
Winter practices have started, and high school hockey teams actually began games this week.
But for 72 schools across the state, it’s still football season – and they’d like to continue playing as many November games as possible.
This third week of MHSAA Playoffs features four Semifinals in 8-player – and we switch up the “1st & Goal” format to feature those games first below. We also have 32 11-Player Regional Finals, with winners this weekend needing just one more to book trips to Ford Field.
Games are tonight unless noted. Tickets for 11-Player Regional Finals are $9, and $10 for 8-player Semifinals, and more than 35 of the 36 games to be played will be streamed live on the NFHS Network. Scores and pairings will be updated all weekend at MHSAA.com.
8-Player Division 1
Indian River Inland Lakes (11-0) at Pickford (11-0), 1 p.m. Saturday
This is rematch from a year ago, when Inland Lakes won 12-0 on the way to finishing Division 1 runner-up. The Bulldogs have had only two single-digit games all season, including defeating Alcona 32-26 last week. Senior quarterback Aiden Fenstermaker is leading the march again, running for 1,463 yards and 22 touchdowns and throwing for 831 and 19, respectively. Pickford is seeking to make the Finals for the first time since 2019 and hasn’t played a game closer than 28 points. Senior quarterback Tommy Storey also is a two-way force, running for 1,341 yards and 24 TDs and throwing for 898 and 16 scores.
Mendon (10-1) at Deckerville (11-0), 1 p.m. Saturday
Mendon is just two years removed from playing for the Division 2 title, and avenged its only loss this fall by downing Climax-Scotts to open the playoffs. Junior Owen Gorham has run for 2,114 yards and 42 touchdowns – the rushing TDs already ranking third all-time in MHSAA history – and junior JT Lux follows with 1,160 yards and 14 scores on the ground. Deckerville is playing in its second-straight Semifinal and looking to make its first Final since 2017. The Eagles are averaging 49 points per game and haven’t scored fewer than 30.
8-Player Division 2
Onekama (10-1) at Crystal Falls Forest Park (10-1), Noon Saturday
Forest Park also avenged its lone loss during the playoffs, downing Powers North Central 34-12 last week, and the Trojans also are playing to get back to a championship game for the first time since 2017. Running back Dax Huuki is just a sophomore but leads the rushing attack with 1,267 yards and 18 touchdowns. Onekama won a combined eight games over the past four seasons before bouncing back big to reach the Semifinals for the first time since 2018, when the Portagers finished Division 2 runner-up. Junior quarterback Luke Bradford stands tall at 6-foot-5 and has thrown for 1,175 yards and 11 TDs and run for nine scores. Onekama fell to Marion in Week 2 but defeated the Eagles to open the postseason.
Morrice (10-1) at Britton Deerfield (10-1), 1 p.m. Saturday
Britton Deerfield is another fascinating comeback story, having finished 2-7 a year ago. The Patriots are in their fourth season of 8-player football and playing in their first Semifinal in either format since the school formed from its predecessors in 2011. They’ve run for 4,140 yards this fall, led by senior Luke Wiser with 1,549 with 27 touchdowns. Morrice will play in its third Semifinal over the last six seasons seeking to reach the championship game for the first time since winning Division 1 in 2018. The Orioles too have avenged their lone loss this fall, to Portland St. Patrick, and get it done with a defense giving up only 11.4 points per game and a pair of senior 1,000-yard rushers in Joel Fisher (1,464/18 TDs) and Wyatt Cartier (1,253/24).
11-Player Division 1
Belleville (10-1) at Detroit Catholic Central (11-0)
Even with Belleville’s loss to Howell in Week 9, this has remained one of the most anticipated matchups in the state all season as it’s been assumed these two powers would meet at some point. The last time, Belleville defeated DCC in a 2022 Regional Final, 33-10. After facing seven playoff teams plus an Ohio state title contender, the Shamrocks shouldn’t be daunted by Belleville’s success and star power. But that said, the Tigers are striding coming off their best win this fall, 42-7 last week over Saline.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Grand Blanc (9-2) at Rochester Adams (9-2), Detroit Cass Tech (9-2) at Macomb Dakota (10-1). SATURDAY Hudsonville (10-1) at Howell (11-0).
11-Player Division 2
Warren De La Salle Collegiate (8-2) at Birmingham Groves (11-0)
De La Salle has finished at Ford Field seven of the last 10 seasons, and two of the last six years did so after defeating Groves in Semifinals – including 43-15 in 2022. Groves is playing to reach a championship game for the first time, and the Falcons have never been in better position taking on the Pilots after tying their program record for wins last week. Groves hasn’t been challenged in a while, but does have victories over Harper Woods and West Bloomfield this fall. De La Salle is coming off handing Grosse Pointe South its only loss this season and will attempt a repeat performance tonight.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Portage Central (8-3) at Byron Center (10-1), Saginaw Heritage (8-3) at East Lansing (8-3), Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (8-3) at Gibraltar Carlson (10-1).
11-Player Division 3
Petoskey (11-0) at DeWitt (11-0)
Petoskey also has set a record for wins this season and will play in a Regional Final for the third time and first since 2014. The Northmen have navigated only two single-digit games this fall and prepped for this run in part with a 41-21 win over Clare in Week 9 – notable as Clare also was a league champion. DeWitt presents arguably their mightiest challenge as the Panthers are undefeated this late for the first time since their Division 3 championship season of 2020 and putting up 55.6 points per game despite a schedule that has three opponents also playing for Regional titles.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central (9-2) at Zeeland West (10-1), Mason (9-2) at Walled Lake Western (11-0), River Rouge (6-4) at Detroit Martin Luther King (8-3).
11-Player Division 4
Portland (11-0) at Niles (10-1)
For the second-straight season, Portland is undefeated playing Niles for a Regional championship, and last year advanced with a 21-14 win over the Vikings. The Raiders actually have played an identical playoff schedule as 2023 so far, and Niles has enjoyed plenty of familiarity as well with District wins over a pair of regular-season opponents from the Wolverine Conference. The Vikings’ shutout of Edwardsburg last week was their third in four weeks and sixth of the season, providing an intriguing challenge for a Raiders offense almost keeping pace with last year’s scoring at 41.5 points per game.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Grand Rapids South Christian (7-4) at Whitehall (8-3), Haslett (8-3) at Goodrich (10-1), Macomb Lutheran North (10-1) at Harper Woods (8-3).
11-Player Division 5
Kalamazoo United (9-2) at Grand Rapids Catholic Central (7-4)
This will be the fourth time United will play for a Regional title over the last seven seasons, and if the Titans are to advance for the first time they’ll have to deal with a GRCC program that has reached Ford Field six of the last eight years. After ending the regular season on a three-game skid but with all three defeats by single digits, the Cougars have impressed in the playoffs including squeaking past Grand Rapids West Catholic 21-18 last week. The Titans have won two rematches to open this postseason and faced playoff teams their last six games, losing only to Jackson Lumen Christi (39-21 in Week 9) along the way.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Gladwin (8-3) at Frankenmuth (11-0), Armada (10-1) at Pontiac Notre Dame Prep (9-1), Ann Arbor Father Gabriel Richard (7-4) at Flat Rock (9-2).
11-Player Division 6
Detroit Central (8-3) at Marine City (9-2)
Only three weeks ago, Marine City closed the regular season with a 37-15 win over Central. But as we’ve seen over the first two rounds of the playoffs, rematches can flip quickly, and the Mariners surely won’t be looking past this one as they pursue what would be a first Regional title since 2021. That first matchup arrived with Central coming off a close win over Detroit Denby for a Detroit Public School League City championship, and since that defeat the Trailblazers have won their playoff games by a combined 69-24. Marine City has picked up momentum as well, especially with last week’s 38-28 win over Warren Michigan Collegiate.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Boyne City (9-2) at Reed City (9-2). SATURDAY Lansing Catholic (8-3) at Newaygo (9-2), Constantine (8-3) at Jackson Lumen Christi (10-1).
11-Player Division 7
Schoolcraft (10-1) at Hudson (10-1)
The eight teams remaining in Division 7 have a combined seven losses, making all four matchups among the most intriguing as a group. These two are meeting for the first time since facing off in a 2001 Division 6 Semifinal, Hudson on a 10-game winning streak this season and Schoolcraft losing only in Week 3 by two points to Division 6 Constantine. Defense may dominate; the Eagles are giving up 9.9 points per game and just shut out a Lawton offense that averaged 35, while Hudson is giving up 8.4 ppg and hasn’t allowed more than seven since the first weekend in October.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Leslie (10-1) at Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (11-0). SATURDAY North Muskegon (10-1) at Menominee (10-1), Pewamo-Westphalia (9-2) at Millington (10-0).
11-Player Division 8
Harbor Beach (11-0) at Fowler (11-0), Saturday
While featuring two of the state’s smallest 11-player schools, this might draw an above-proportion amount of attention as one of only two matchups of undefeated contenders in any 11-player bracket. Harbor Beach is seeking its first Regional title since 2018, and Fowler its first since 2019. Fowler finished the regular season third in Division 8 playoff-point average, and Harbor Beach downed top-ranked Clarkston Everest Collegiate 37-7 last week. The Eagles’ best three wins were against Division 7 teams, including two still playing.
Other Regional Finals FRIDAY Detroit Loyola (5-6) at Riverview Gabriel Richard (9-1). SATURDAY Beal City (9-2) at Iron Mountain (11-0), Reading (7-4) at Decatur (10-1).
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PHOTO Armada’s Jackson Malburg breaks into the open during last week’s District Final win over Hazel Park. (Photo by Adam Sheehan Photography.)