Riverview walked off the field at Riverside Stadium for the final time in 2006 after a tough 21-14 loss to Bishop Canevin in the first round of the WPIAL Class A playoffs.

The Crusaders scored a last-minute touchdown to break a 14-14 tie.

It was the final game in a Riverview uniform for eight seniors. The Raiders finished last season 7-3 overall and 5-1 in the Eastern Conference (second place to Clairton).

It was also the final game for Joe Rossi as head coach at Riverview.

In the spring, Rossi became the new head coach at South Fayette, where he also accepted a teaching position.

Taking over for Rossi is Riverview graduate and former Fox Chapel head coach Todd Massack.

Massack, who began his coaching career in 1990 as an assistant to Bill Rometo at Plum, is the grandson of the late Elmer "Tuggles" Gross, Oakmont's head football coach from 1948 to 1960.

"I'm excited and honored to represent the communities of Oakmont and Verona, as well as the Riverview School District," Massack said.

All of the Riverview football assistants returned and are helping Massack get the team ready for the season.

"It's not a coincidence they're still here," Massack said. "I wanted them here and they wanted to stay. You always want quality coaches who are positive role models. I was very lucky they were already here."

Massack likes the way his team has taken shape over the summer and through the first couple weeks of preseason workouts.

"The team's strength is their attitude and work ethic," Massack said.

"We told them those are two things they can control. They can't control how tall they are or how big they are. We were very pleased with the summer workouts and the 7-on-7 leagues. That hard work has continued into camp."

Massack said the seniors -- Jared Soell, Adam Lohr, Jimmy Braunlich, Josh Dezort, Matt Fusia, Dave Gallaher, Anthony DiPippa, Jake Dezort, Stathi Mamatas, Justin Irwin, Sam Kelly and Mike DiCocco -- have provided strong leadership.

"The seniors need to lead by example and set the tone," Massack said.

"The rest of the team has followed them."

Jake and Josh Dezort, along with Mamatas, Irwin, DiCocco and juniors Jeff Scampone and Nick Buchser earned Eastern Conference All-Star honors last season.

Jake Dezort was named the Eastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year.

Soell, who passed for 467 yards and seven touchdowns last year, returns at quarterback.

Josh Dezort and Lohr will be at fullback and tailback, respectively.

Josh Dezort rushed for 279 yards and four TDs in 2006.

"That is a solid backfield," Massack said.

Scampone, Jimmy Braunlich, Fusia, Gallaher and junior Ben Eckert are expected to rotate at wideout.

Up front, the offensive line will feature Mamatas at center, Jake Dezort and Buchser at guard and DiCocco at tight end.

Irwin, juniors Brandon Streussnig and Tom Skemp and sophomore Tom McKee have been battling for the two tackle spots.

On the defensive line, candidates are DiPippa, Jake Dezort, Irwin, Mamatas, DiCocco, Streussing, Skemp and McKee.

"The key to our success will be the offensive and defensive lines," Massack said.

"It's about how well we can block up front on offense and how well the defense can get to the quarterback and disrupt the opposition's offense."

Josh Dezort, the team's leading tackler last year (85), along with Buchser, DiCocco, Scampone and sophomore Julian Garner, lead the linebacking corps.

Scampone moves up to linebacker from his defensive back spot. Garner may also see time on offense at tailback and wide receiver.

"There's been good competition at every position," Massack said.

Duquesne's demise left a big hole in the conference schedule. Riverview has picked up Conemaugh Township (Johnstown) for its eighth game of the season.

"It's sad to see Duquesne go," Massack said. "They were a very tough opponent. The conference is still tough, though. You know you're ready for the playoffs after conference play."

Riverview kicks off its season this Saturday against California at noon at Riverside Park.