Riverhead football growing but still learning after tough loss

Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn.

The Riverhead Blue Waves varsity football team has been learning of late, as second-year head coach Don Nelson continues to pick up the pieces in hopes of bringing the team back to its former glory. 

“We’re just trying to get better every day,” Nelson said. “I knew taking this job wasn’t going to be easy. Despite the results I can tell you we’re getting better.”

Players have been learning new plays, new positions, new mentalities, and most importantly, new confidence. It takes years to build a new core and there are rough times ahead — especially playing in Suffolk County’s Division I. But that hasn’t discouraged Nelson.

“We’re playing playoff teams from last year,” Nelson said. “We haven’t faced a team that’s like us yet but we will in the next coming weeks so that will be a better measuring stick.”

Riverhead has started 0-2 this season but they’ve been competitive until the game opens up late. Against Walt Whitman on Saturday, the Blue Waves first time on defense showed tremendous promise, despite losing 40-6. 

Walt Whitman (1-1) got great field position to start the game and eventually got the ball down to first and goal from the 9-yard line. Two sophomores came up with massive plays to halt all momentum. First, Preston Washington came up with a sack following a botched snap and then Kardyn Blom followed that up with a sack of his own. Before they knew it, it was 4th and goal from the 32-yard line.

All was great until Whitman’s Dodge Alahverdian threw up a prayer that was answered and caught for a touchdown by Jason Thompson.

“Stuff like that can’t happen in that situation,” Nelson said. “If we stop them there, the momentum is back in our favor.”

It’s just another learning moment. Later in the game a 3rd down and 25 was converted down the field to put another dagger in Riverhead’s hopes. Getting the defense off the field in advantageous moments like that is crucial.

Though there’s 41 players listed on Riverhead’s roster, 19 of those are underclassmen. And many of those underclassmen hold crucial starting positions.

“We’re young,” Nelson said. “There’s no doubt about it. But the future is bright. These kids can play.”

Jermaine Robinson, a sophomore, got in the game late against Walt Whitman at the running back position and had great bursts forward behind a power I hulk formation. It was the most successful offensive trips the Blue Waves had all day. Freshman wide receiver Travis Brown also brought down his first varsity touchdown after a 37 yard pass by Jason Perez.

“They’re getting a taste of the varsity level early,” Nelson said. “I wouldn’t put them out there if I felt like they didn’t belong.”

Riverhead has been without their starting quarterback Liam MacGray who has been nursing an injury. They also may have lost their captain and starting center Franco Revelo who left Saturday’s game with an injury.

Jason Perez has been filling in at backup quarterback since MacGray went down but Jaxon Binkis, a lacrosse star and late addition to the team, may step into the quarterback role.

“He’s going to get a shot at it,” Nelson said. “We want to put ourselves in the best position to win.”

Though Riverhead is still searching for its first victory, nobody has stopped giving it their absolute all.

“I’m not giving up on these kids,” Nelson said. “We’re going to turn this around. They’re working so hard every day. We will be better next week. I promise you that.”