River Islands took its fair share of Ls in 2024, but it wasn’t so much about wins and losses for the first-year varsity team.

‘Ls,’ in this case, means “lessons.”

The Riptide finished 2-8 in an inaugural campaign that included an early shutdown of the JV squad because of low numbers.

Three underclassmen were forced to sit out the rest of the year, as they were not allowed to play varsity, per California Interscholastic Federation transfer rules. The rest were shoved into the deep end, and many logged varsity minutes as injuries began to take their toll.

The Riptide were held scoreless in five blowouts and mustered a single touchdown in each of the other three defeats.

All part of the process for coach Nick Hardenbrook, who had been tasked with jump starting a program with little all-around experience.

“I just think we were taking everything we were given as a lesson,” Hardenbrook said. “Last year was very much a growing year. We had a lot of kids that were new to football, so getting that varsity experience was super important. It added to what our practices look like now. Now, from the kids’ perspective, they know what to expect.”

Now with a senior class, the Riptide’s expectations are different going into year 2. Despite three of six All-Mother Lode League selections not returning to play, River Islands has reason for optimism.

All-league first-team running back Alex Henry III — he also leads the defense at middle linebacker — is bigger, faster, stronger and more mentally prepared for the rigors of varsity play. The surrounding talent has also improved.

“We expect a lot for this year,” Henry said. “Of course, we have to humble ourselves and keep working hard, but I think the scoreboard is going to look different, at the end of the day.

“We’re becoming a team. The chemistry is good, and all the hard work is paying off. It shows with our playing style and how fast we’re running plays. I trust in my team.”

With Henry back to provide his tough running between the tackles, River Islands is working to balance its triple-option offense with the arrival of junior quarterback Daryl Carpenter, who previously played at Sierra and Manteca in the lower levels.

Carpenter is reunited with receiver Christian Dell’Osso and tight end Lucas Ruiz, former teammates of his at Manteca two years ago.

“I had good chemistry with both of them, and we’re bringing it to this school and building off of it,” Carpenter said. “Love my new coaches and teammates. There are lots of potential on the team. When I showed up on the first day, I could already tell we’re going to shock some people this year.”

Having Carpenter behind center has allowed River Islands’ previous quarterbacks to play other positions. Michael Figueroa, an All-MLL second-team defensive back, can be used in multiple spots in the offense, and the Riptide can make use of 6-foot-2 George Dayeh’s length at receiver. With the depth of wide outs, shifty ball-carrier Jordan Acaya moves to the backfield where he’ll provide a change of pace to the hard-charging Henry.

All-league left tackle Israel Fuentes heads the offensive line, along with fellow senior Jaiveer Grewal, who holds down the center and nose tackle positions.

“Our offensive line went through the injury bug (last year), and when the JV team had to fold, there were guys we were trying to develop who got moved up and had to play partly out of necessity,” Hardenbrook said. “We got to see what we have from some freshmen at the varsity level in our last two games of the season.

“Our line has figured itself out, and with some additions to the program joining, they’re filling out really well.”

The defense has also benefitted from an incoming transfer. Owen De La Pena came from St. Mary’s, but transfer rules prohibit the 6-4, 210-pound defensive end from playing the first half of the regular season.

 “He changes a lot for the defense,” Henry said of De La Pena. “He’s on a different level.”

De La Pena is even helping the offense get better.

“He makes practice hard for an offensive playcaller,” said Hardenbrook, who doubles as the offensive coordinator.

The coaching staff also gets a boost. Scott Johnson brings his 3-3 defense to River Islands and will serve as defensive coordinator. He previously coached as an assistant for Mountain House, Kimball and West.

The Riptide believe they are better equipped to compete in the new-look MLL. They had to face three-way champions Calaveras, Linden and Summerville in succession, losing by a combined 191-0 score. Summerville went on to win the CIF Division VI-A State Bowl Game.

“It was tough, but I feel really good about this year,” Henry said. “Now that we have the experience, we know what we’re doing a little bit more every day. I feel it will make a huge difference in league, and we’re hoping we can make the top three in our league.” 

River Islands looks to balance attack with new QB

By JONAMAR JACINTO

It didn’t take Daryl Carpenter long to gain the trust of his new teammates.

The junior quarterback is one of the promising additions to River Islands’ second-year varsity football team. Alex Henry III, the Riptide’s leading rusher and tackler as a sophomore last season, is already impressed.

“When he came in and threw that first ball, it just clicked,” Henry said. “He made the right read and threw an amazing ball to the receiver. I could tell he just knows to play — he’s smart. I’m happy to have him. Feels like he’s a great part to our team.”

Carpenter steps in as one of the most experienced football players at the school. He arrives from Sierra, where he played at the JV level. Two years ago, he quarterbacked Manteca’s 10-0 freshman squad. Before that, he played five years at the youth level with the Manteca Cowboys and Manteca Jr. Timberwolves.

“I feel like playing against VOL (Valley Oak League) opponents is going to help me, since those teams are really good,” Carpenter said. “I definitely took some shots last year, but I feel like that was just getting me ready for varsity. The VOL really helped me out to get ready for this.”

With Carpenter’s acumen and the 6-foot-1, 220-pound Henry’s punishing running style, coach Nick Hardenbrook has two key skill positions covered in for the next two years in his triple-option offense.

Hardenbrook lauds Carpenter’s quick release and accuracy but is more awed by how quickly he has picked up the offense.

“It’s been fun to work with (Carpenter) and work his brain,” Hardenbrook said. “The kid lives and breathes football. It’s just so easy to work with him.”

Carpenter got to operate different offenses at his previous stops, but he believes Hardenbrook’s balanced triple-option suits his skills well.

While Carpenter awaits his varsity debut, Henry is motivated by the hard knocks he and the rest of the Riptide absorbed during a 2-8 campaign.

The rugged fullback was at the center of River Islands’ historic moments, scoring its first touchdowns in its first win — a 12-0 shutout at Modesto Christian. He later plowed his way to 204 yards and four touchdowns as the Riptide prevailed 46-35 at Bret Harte for its first Mother Lode League victory. Henry was named to the All-MLL first-team offense.

The rest of the season served as a painful reminder of just how inexperienced River Islands was. Many of players were in their first or second years in the sport. Even Henry, a longtime player with a varsity-ready body, took some hard lessons along the way, especially on the defensive side where he plays middle linebacker.

“It was very eye-opening,” Henry said of his first varsity season. “You can see that a lot of people are taller and bigger than you. It was a lot faster, as well. You have to see what’s going on in a split second and make the right reads. Last year, I just remember a lot of the wrong reads that I made because I learned from them. “

Henry isn’t just sharpening his mind. He worked on his all-around fitness since the end of last season, gaining about 15 pounds of muscle while improving his speed and agility.

“The kid took his offseason extremely seriously,” Hardenbrook said. “He even played volleyball to work on his agility and lateral movement. He’s a big, powerful running back and linebacker who is going to move people, but him working on his lateral movement, agility and footwork is just adding to the player he is.”

Carpenter can’t wait for this new partnership to blossom on Friday nights.

“I think we’re going to be great,” Carpenter said. “I’ve been practicing with him for a couple weeks now, and I can tell we’re going to be a great duo in the running game and the passing game. He’s really big, he’s fast, and I already know he and I are going to surprise some people this year.”