Northeastern State RiverHawks Football 2025
“Come to the ‘Quah!” The 4-word phrase is an open invitation for fans of RiverHawks football to experience the fruits of continual change and winning results as Darren Chiaverini begins his second season as head coach with a big advantage over year one.
“The exciting thing this year is to have a team that’s returning versus putting together a group from the ground up,” said Chiaverini. “I’m really pleased with the addition of 20 mid-year transfers and the 40 high school recruits we signed. We’re on the right track of building a program the right way in order to not only be competitive but to win those close games we lost last year.”
OFFENSE
The offensive group that averaged almost 28 points per game returns many of last years playmakers including All-American tight end Cam Woods (6-3, 225, Sr.) who averaged 15.5 yards per catch along with Deuce Roberson (5-9, 150, Sr.) who collected 50 receptions in 2024. Quarterback Dereun Dortch (5-11, 220, Jr.) who completed 17 touchdown passes in addition to running for four scores returns along with the elusive skills of Ramon McKinney (5-10, 180, So.) the RiverHawks leading ground gainer at running back who averaged 5.5 yards per carry.
“We lost four 1-score games last year and that comes down to being able to run the football in the fourth quarter and get first downs. In order to do that consistently, we had to get bigger upfront and move people vertically,” said Chiaverini. “We have skill personnel and speed on the outside, still yet we also need to be able to stretch the field vertically and with the additions to our roster, I believe that we’re going to be able to do that.”
The front line will be noticeably bigger and stronger. Cayson Badley (6-5, 310, Sr.) returns at center along with Devon Jones (6-5, 310) who will move from tight end to the tackle position. The portal has provided bulk to the group including Cal Poly transfer Jayden Smith (6-4, 390, So.) and Jayden Flores (6-7, 370, Jr.).
Outside speed with be provided by LaVontae Shenault (6-2, 195, Sr.) who sat out last season, Tulsa Union product Braylen Danzey (6-2, 185, R-Fr.) and Cameron Jackson (5-7, 160, Fr.) who Chiaverini defined as the “second fastest kid in the state of Texas” coming out of Kimball HS as well as transfer receiver Mikey Henderson (6-2, 210).
There will be competition for Dortch at quarterback with the addition of Donnie Smith 6-4, 225, Jr.) a juco All-American talent out of California and Luke Milligan (6-3, 190, So.) an Okie from Lincoln Christian who continues to adjust to the speed of the college game. The RiverHawks ground game will feature McKinney along with Kacie Riley (5-10, 265, Sr.) who played in nine games last year.
The kicking game will again feature Troy Nguyen (6-2, 200, So.), who converted 36 of 38 PAT attempts and kicked seven field goals including a 49-yard boot.
DEFENSE
The RiverHawks have gone all in to develope a defensive unit dedicated to stopping the opponents run game.
“That was our Achilles heel in year one and that begins upfront,” said Chiaverini.
Size and brute strength begins with the return of Chris Lee (6-1, 290, Sr.) an All-MIAA performer in 2023 along with transfers Patrick Hisitake (6-5, 250, Jr.), Ryder Trujillo (6-4, 280, So., Garrett Risley (6-3, 255, Jr.) and Vian D-I bounce back Solomon Wright (6-0, 295).
The linebacker unit will be faster and more physical starting with the return of Jordan Banks (6-2, 225, Sr.) a former D-I talent who missed most of last year reuniting with Junior Heimuli (6-2, 235, Sr.) and Peni Masiva (6-1, 235, Sr.). Adding to the physicality of the group will be Mississippi College product Khaden Walker (6-2, 225, Jr.). The NSU coaches are excited about the talents of redshirt Travon Rhinehart (6-2, 210, Fr.) and newcomers Kale Charbonneau (6-0, 215, Fr.) from Wagoner who the NSU coach called one of the best Oklahoma high school players the past two years along with Don’Terrius Williams (6-1 200 Fr.) and Ryan Hodge (6-2 185, Fr.).
In the secondary, Anthony Green (6-1, 200, Sr.) who made 38 tackles last year returns along with Jordan Richburg (5-10, 170, Sr.) and Jaxon Woods (5-10 180 So.). Among the new names expected to become game changers are juco transfer Marvis Owens (6-0, 200, Jr.) who Chiaverini says can run with any opposing receiver and incoming freshmen Jordan Tolbert (6-1 180 Fr.) and Michael Esparza (6-1, 195, Fr.).
The RiverHawks schedule will have a different lineup of opponents including NCAA Division-I foe Northern Alabama and the season opener against perennial D-II powerhouse Saginaw State in addition to the annual President’s Cup rivalry against the University of Central Oklahoma.
Entering year two at NSU, Chiaverini is confident things will be exciting and bring about happy endings on the scoreboard.
“Although I wont say how many, I will guarantee that we’re going to win more games this year,” he said with conviction. “I will promise that this team will play with grit. It’s on us…not what other may think or say…what do we think, how are we working. If that’s our process and we do that, the winning outcomes will come our way.”
SCHEDULE
8-28 – at Saginaw Valley State
9-6 – vs. Missouri S&T
9-13 – at North Alabama
9-20 – vs. Westgate Christian
9-27 – OPEN
10-4 – vs. West Florida
10-11 – at Lincoln (MO)
10-18 – vs. William Jewel
10-25 – at Central Oklahoma
11-1 – vs. Lincoln (CA)
11-8 – vs. McKendree
11-15 – at West Alabama
