Black Bears looking to build on last year’s record

WARSAW – Over the past two years the River View Black Bears have worked on their skills and their attitudes. They got a taste of winning last year and are ready to build on their 4-6 2018 season.

“We started last season 4-2 and ended 4-6,” said Head Coach Mike Hemming. “We have to learn from the little things. Little mistakes can add up. It’s how you respond to them though. You have to be positive and have trust.”

Hemming, who is in his third year leading the Black Bears, believes the team has bought into the system.

“This is a close knit football team,” he said. “The seniors have been doing a great job of helping the freshmen along. They (the seniors) want to leave a legacy and keep this thing going.”

The 2019 River View team includes 20 seniors and 22 lettermen. The 53 man roster also lists 26 freshmen.

Some of the team’s strengths include being able to run the football in the Wing T and also spread it out and throw. They also have a three year starter at quarterback.

Defensively, Hemming is excited to be able to try something different this year.

“I’ve been wanting to do something for two years, but couldn’t because we didn’t have the kids, but this year we do,” he said.

The Black Bears also are strong in skills and fundamentals.

“They know what they are doing now,” Hemming said.

However, they need to work on their depth.

“If someone gets hurt you have to find kids to be able to replace them,” Hemming said. “We did well in camp and in our first scrimmage, but it’s a continuing process.”

River View opens its season at home on Aug. 30 against Lakewood, who is one of several new opponents. They also will be facing Ridgewood, East Knox, Buckeye Local, and River Local for the first time.

Helping lead the team this year will be Gannon Unger, Brendan Shrimplin, and Hayden Martin. All three are seniors and three year lettermen.

“Leadership isn’t always about being vocal,” Hemming said. “It’s about doing the right things on and off the field too.”

Shrimplin has already seen an improvement in the team.

“We are much better than last year,” said the linebacker/running back. “We are putting in more effort in practice and have more energy.”

Unger, who is the team’s quarterback agreed with him.

“We’ve brought more intensity to our lifting, have better attitudes and are looking forward to week one,” he said.

Both Unger and Shrimplin are looking forward to traveling to Ridgewood on Sept. 6 and Unger also is looking forward to the Zanesville home game on Sept. 20. Fellow senior Tim Cool, who is a nose guard/left tackle can’t wait to take on Coshocton at home on Nov. 1.

“We really should have won against them last year,” Cool said. “We are going to do it this year.”

Hemming’s goals include being competitive and winning more games.

“I want to be fundamentally sound and continue to build this program,” he said.

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