River Bluff football looks for improvement, new energy in year two under Hardin
Blair Hardin’s energy is contagious and that’s evident if you attend a River Bluff practice.
The second-year Gators head coach’s shirt was almost soaked about 20 minutes into an evening practice last week as he stayed in constant motion during drills, even lining up and catching passes.
Hardin hopes his team can feed off that as he attempts to turn the program around. The Gators have won just three games combined the past two seasons, including a 2-8 mark last season.
“I think if you are going to be part of this game everyone got passion. I loved the game and always have,” Hardin said. “I want our kids to feed off the passion and hopefully that is how they play. I like their energy and we care about each other. Trying to create a positive culture.
“Our kids really bought into the weight room. We are a lot stronger. And mindset, we were in a lot of games from last year but that isn’t our mindset we want to be. We want to compete and have high expectations here. It has been a positive offseason.”
During the offseason, Hardin made changes on coaching staff and also tried to create a more tight-knit group with a variety of activities including Gator Day which the team didn’t do any football-related activities but spent that time together.
“Their communication is a lot better and we are closer. They eat together, hang out together and it is all about building a positive culture,” Hardin said.
River Bluff returns 11 starters from last season including its top two rushers in Braden Walker and Antonio Gantt. Noah Johnson, the team’s leader in sacks last season, is back along with Camden Gary on defense.
About River Bluff
Coach: Blair Hardin (2nd year, 84-41 overall, 11 seasons)
Last year’s record: 2-8
Number of starters returning: 11
Key returning players: RB Braden Walker, DE Noah Johnson, RB Antonio Gantt, LB Camden Gray, DB Bryson Gartmon, S Drew Beard, OL AJ Farchione
Newcomers to watch: DB Shaq Garvin, LB Riley Myers, WR Kendall Long, OL Zane Derel
Schedule
Aug. 17: vs. Fort Mill
Aug. 24: at Richland Northeast
Aug. 31: vs. Pelion
Sept. 7: vs. Lugoff-Elgin
Sept. 14: at Irmo
Sept. 21: at Gilbert
Oct. 5: vs. Dutch Fork
Oct. 12: vs. Chapin
Oct. 19: at White Knoll
Oct. 26: at Lexington