Heading into his sophomore season in 2025, Riverside WR Peyton Stevenson wasn’t sure how he’d factor into the Warrior offense.
In fact, he wasn’t sure if he’d factor in at all.
“Coming into last season, I really wasn’t even sure if I was going to get playing time at all,” said Stevenson. “But I told myself in the spring that if I got a chance, I was going to take it. So, that’s what I did.”
As it turns out, Stevenson’s worries were all for naught. He quickly became the favorite target of former Riverside QB Gideon Merhib. Over the course of a breakout sophomore campaign, Stevenson racked up 53 receptions, 667 yards, and six receiving TDs.
His 667 yards were the most regular-season receiving yards by any WR in 5-A Region 2 last year.
Stevenson’s shifty style of play allows him to be a threat in multiple ways. He can turn quick, short routes into big gains with yards after catch, and the rising junior also can beat defensive backs off the line of scrimmage with his speed.
He’s not the tallest or largest threat, listed at around 155 pounds and standing 5-foot-8.
But what Stevenson may lack for now in measurables, he more than makes up for in grit, tenacity, and heart.
“When we got a good look at Peyton for the first time last year, the first thing that stood out was his blocking ability,” said Riverside offensive coordinator Thomas Wilkes. “The kid absolutely blocks his tail off. Every practice, every game, every play. We put him on the field when we saw that. And he ended up performing so well in that Y [slot receiver] role that we kept him out there.”
Stevenson makes a catch during Riverside's 7-on-7 tournament at North Greenville University in July.
“Last year, I came into my own. This year, I’m trying to be even better,” said Stevenson. “I definitely want to hit 1,000 yards this season. And as a team, I want us to make playoffs and take this as far as we can.”
Stevenson projects to almost certainly be the Warriors’ WR1 in 2026. Though this year, a lot will look different for Riverside.
Merhib, Stevenson’s former QB, transferred to Byrnes this offseason. It will be fellow junior Cooper Adams — a player who also previously played wide receiver — throwing Stevenson the ball as Riverside’s new quarterback.
“I played middle school ball with Cooper, so we know each other well,” said Stevenson. “The main thing I’ve been telling him is to just throw the ball and know that mistakes will happen, and that’s okay. Nobody plays the QB position perfectly. So just play free.”
The Warriors have also dropped from Class 5-A to 4-A this season. They’ll play in a difficult region, spearheaded by some of the top teams in the class in Gaffney and Greenville. Cross-town rival Greer is also a region opponent for the Warriors this season.
On a Riverside roster that saw some turnover in multiple ways — a few transfer portal exits and some top players, like CB Somad Eaddy, graduating — Stevenson stayed true to the Warriors and now is poised to lead them into a season of optimism.
“When Gideon left, I was sort of hesitant just because of the unknown of what was going to happen,” Stevenson said of his mindset in sticking with Riverside. “I didn’t really know what we’d have this year.
“But I talked to the coaches and some of the guys, and we were just like ‘Let’s stay down. Let’s stay down and see what we’ve got.’ And so far, we look pretty good.”
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