Viking Machine On the Scene

J.T. Yarem may have never gotten the change to play varsity soccer when he attended Riverside. But now he steps into the role of coach as first-year varsity program gets underway.

"We have a pretty excited group of seniors who have played most of their life playing in the Triboro Soccer League," Yarem said. "All they wanted to do was to get the chance to play high school soccer."

Yarem played baseball, basketball and golf for the Vikings, while feeding his soccer love by playing for a traveling team. Although he missed out on playing varisty soccer, he is excited about coaching. Last year, Riverside fielded a junior varsity program and he coached the team.

"Last year was the first year for the junior high team," Yarem said. "We jumped in a hurry and the school board gave us a great opportunity."

Yarem credits the Riverside School Board with getting the team on the field in a pretty short period of time. He also calls Ron Collins, the president of the team's booster club, instrumental to the program.

"He went to the school board for us," Yarem said of Collins. "He also did a great job raising money for the program."

Yarem is also grateful to the players' parents for their efforts in helping the program in a variety of different ways.

Riverside will play its games at the Taylor Lions football field and the first regular season game will be against Lakeland at home at 4:15 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 3. The Vikings will have a roster with close to 20 players and will be one of two coed teams in the Lackawanna Soccer League, a trait shared by rival Old Forge.

The Vikings will not measure themselves by wins and losses this season, as Yarem would like to see the team earn a solid reputation around the league.

"I would like us be a hard-nosed team," Yarem said. "It is hard to say what type of style the team will have. We have to wait and see how they gel and what type of style they have together. I don't want to try to force a style on them."

With both Old Forge and Riverside both having a varsity team, two more games between the arch rivals will occur, providing two more oppertunities for the borough rivalry to continue. The first game between the Devils and Vikes will be at 4:15 p.m. at Riverside on Wednesday, Sept. 8, with the second game hosted at Old Forge on Thursday, Sept. 30.

"I expect a good game when we play," Yarem said. "The build up for it will be fun. It is a big game no matter the sport."

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