RIVERTON, Ill. (WCIA) — After a 2024 season where the Riverton Hawks only played a JV only schedule, 2025 brought the return of varsity football.

The Hawks got a 29-20 win over Pittsfield in their first game of the new season.

The program is giving its community something to cheer for with its first varsity victory since 2022.

“There were definitely tears before the game,” head coach Colton Piper said. “They were just so ready, and they had worked so hard.” “A lot of these kids have been through some stuff in life that I can’t imagine, and they still come out here every day.”

“Having that taken away from my junior year, it really hurt. So being back on the field is amazing,” senior Keegan Gullo said. “It’s a feeling I can’t describe.” “I’ve wanted to have a winning season for as long as I can remember, and this year I believe we can do it.”

“The stands were as packed as I’ve ever seen them, like it’s just doing all this and then putting in all that effort through summer definitely paid off for all of us,” senior offensive and defensive lineman Eli Banks said.

Riverton travels to face Olympia on Friday, September 5.