Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Riverdale Academy aims to return to its rich football tradition by tapping a person that helped create that tradition as a player and a coach.

Denver Williams assumed the head coach position this offseason and will lead the Rebels into the 2026 season, which kicks off Friday at Wilkinson County Christian.

Williams is a 2022 graduate and was a player on two district championship teams (2020 and 2021) that won a combined 19 games and three playoff games.

That run culminated in a 2020 MAIS state title game appearance.

Williams joined the coaching staff in 2023 under head coach Nathan Edie, and the pair guided Riverdale one district title, two second-round playoff appearances and 14 wins in the past three seasons.

He’s been a part of three of four straight seasons of at least nine wins from 2020-23.

“When I was approached in 2023 about becoming a coach, I knew it was the opportunity of a lifetime to return to the field,” Williams said. “I still remember the last time I walked off the field after a home game during my senior year, and I knew I would miss being part of the team and the atmosphere surrounding it.

“I’m proud to be part of a school where everyone is incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to lead the Rebels under the Friday night lights.”

Roster size and key injuries plagued Riverdale in each of the last two seasons, resulting in a 5-6 record in 2024 and a winless 0-9 campaign this past season.

The 2026 Rebels have their work cut out for them after losing seven seniors from the 2025 squad, including quarterback/linebacker Ashton Almond, versatile weapons in Tanner Carlisle and Zane Givens and linemen Ben Moseley and Remington Dabbs.

But most importantly, players will still be able to strap on the pads this season.

Twelve players practiced with the team this summer with the hope of adding a few more boys now that school has started.

“Player numbers have been a challenge the past few years, and we knew that losing seven seniors would leave us in a difficult position,” Williams said. “For a while, things didn’t look promising (to field a team), but we managed to build a roster of 12 players with several others considering joining the team.

“Keeping everyone healthy is our main goal.”

The cupboard is far from bare, especially in the younger ranks.

Freshmen Morgan Moseley and Trevor Bell have high school experience as middle schoolers, and they’ll look to anchor the line for years to come.

Sophomore receiver/defensive back Ryder Shaver has taken a leadership role on the edge.

Tight end/defensive end Jackson Hillman has quickly emerged on the edge.

Riverdale’s lone senior is utility player Cannon Breedlove, who rejoins the team after multiple years away from the sport but has found his role again.

Newcomer Jayden Jones will be under center as a central piece aiming to connect the new pieces.

The Week 1 task will be a tall one at WCCA as the Rams went undefeated in the regular season before falling in the second round of the playoffs.

That included a 44-20 win at Riverdale, one of the Rebels’ better offensive outputs of the season.

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