Countdown to Kickoff (Edition 32): River Valley looking to turn things around in 2024

BIDWELL, Ohio (WCHS) — River Valley is under new leadership in 2024, and the Raiders are hopeful of turning things around in the approaching season.

Steve McAvena, a 1987 graduate of old North Gallia High School, of those that helped form River Valley, is now the individual in charge of the Raiders program.

"I thought about [the job] in the past," McAvena said. "I was asked by some people that were in the buddy league program with me and asked my thoughts on it and I said I'd like to try it. I talked to a few coaches that I've coached with before and see if I could get them aboard and they said if I got it they would definitely jump on. So I Interviewed through the job and I ended up with it."

River Valley was unable to win a game in 2023. McAvena feels there is enough talent returning to change the fortunes of the Bidwell, Ohio-based school.

"My backfield is pretty much all returning lettermen,” he said. “We have several seniors all across the board. I think I've got 10 seniors total. It's a big class.”

The head coach said one area the Raiders will have to contend with is depth.

“We're not real deep,” McAvena said. “We've only got 30 total on the team and we hope we can get several JV games."

The players are confident the hard work put in coupled with a new head coach, will get the program moving in a positive direction.

"He pushes us to be the best we can be. Got us really conditioned,” junior tight end/linebacker Ben Loveday said. “You know, he always, always talks about that if we ever lose a game, it's not gonna be because the other team's more conditioned than us.”

River Valley hopes to be a surprise in the Ohio Division of the Tri-Valley Conference.

"I say it's up for the taking and we know that Vinton's gonna be strong, Nelsonville is gonna be strong,” McAvena said. “We just want to compete.”

The Raiders will open the season at home this Friday against the Eagles of Eastern Local.