’26 Three Phase Performer Small on Stature, Huge on Performance
"I heard I was too small to play in high school, in college, in the NFL. It just made me work harder." - Darren Sproles
Antonio Rivera is a classic “Friday Nighter.” If you haven’t read Sam Harp and “Friday Night Fletch’s” book yet, “Football 101: Boo-Boo’s a Quarterback,” shame on you. A link is provided at the bottom of this page and above as well. Look for the red ink signifying link! If you have, you know the reference we are about to make here. Rivera is a classic “Chapter 16” type football star. He had a tremendous year as a junior and his Falcons look to build off the momentum from a season ago. We like Henry Mitchell’s Falcons to take another step in the direction of “the Fort Campbell High Football of old” and Rivera is a large reason why.
HB Lyon, Scouting Director, “KPGFootball”
This week’s article is brought to you by Lasaters Coffee & Tea. This feature is brought to you each and every Tuesday morning. Around the KHSAA, Tuesday morning is the perfect time to wake up and smell the coffee or tea brewing.
This week’s featured branch is the Lasaters located inside the Blanchfield Army Community Hospital located at 650 Joel Drive, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Stop by and enjoy your favorite coffee or tea, paired with your choice of breakfast or lunch- served all day!
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Oak Grove (Fort Campbell), KY: Fort Campbell has had some star players star for the Falcons on Friday Nights. Every heard of Micah Johnson or Antonio Andrews?
Micah Johnson was a two-sport athlete in high school (football and basketball). Johnson was named Kentucky’s Mr. Football in 2005 and was a Parade All-American.
Johnson went on to play linebacker for the University of Kentucky for four years. He is currently playing in the Canadian Football League when last we checked.
Antonio Andrews was another multi-sport athlete (football, basketball, and baseball) at Fort Campbell High. Andrews quarterbacked the Fort Campbell Falcons to two state championships and was named Kentucky Mr. Football in 2009.
Andrews initially signed with the Air Force Academy before transferring to Western Kentucky University. At WKU, Andrews was a prolific running back, leading the Sun Belt Conference in rushing yards and all-purpose yards his junior year. Andrews later played for the Tennessee Titans in the NFL.
That should give the reader an idea of the type tradition the Falcons enjoy. They boast not one but two former, “Mr. Footballs.”
You don’t get Micah Johnson and Antonio Andrews types every day or every year. You will be judged at the HS level with what you do with the Antonio Riveras.
The Falcons have done plenty with Antonio Rivera, turning this undersized kid into one of the better football players on Kentucky’s western end. When considering a player coming off the junior year Antonio Rivera had, folks around Oak Grove, Kentucky should wake up and smell the coffee. That is why Rivera is our Lasaters Coffee & Tea, Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Player of the Week.
Rivera recorded an incredible 23-TFLs in ’24
Friday Night Fletch
We have mentioned Rivera being somewhat undersized for where he is slotted. Rivera is a 5’9,” 175-pound player who plays some offense (RB) but is mostly considered a top-flight defender for Fort Campbell.
Over his junior year, ’24, Rivera registered 126-tackles, 23-TFLs, and a FR on defense. Rivera played some offense too.
Rivera carried the football seven (7) times. Rivera caught a pair of passes, one of which was for a TD.
With Rivera’s work on special teams, Rivera became a kid Mitchell had trouble ever taking off the field. We expect much of the same in ’25.
High School football at the 2A level depends on versatile athletes who are in good enough shape to play entire games. One of the down sides of a smaller roster is fewer athletes who are legitimate first-string, Friday Nighters. When you find a guy with the appropriate ability, it becomes hard for him to not become a crutch on which the program leans.
Rivera and some of his teammates are those crutches. Henry Mitchell and the Falcons will do a bit of leaning.
That being said we felt it was high time for people around Oak Grove, KY (Fort Campbell High) to take notice of this outstanding performer and outstanding young man. Hey Fort Campbell, as far as Antonio Rivera is concerned; it’s time to wake up and smell the coffee!
In an effort to help this prospect’s continued development, Antonio Rivera may go, this Friday (August 22, 2025), to any of our area locations and be served a free drink of his choice and free breakfast or other sandwich/food item on us!
Lasaters Coffee & Tea
Join us next week as we return to honor another weekly prize winner. Until then, get on down to one of our Christian County Area locations and remember, our products are superior and one of a kind; just like Fort Campbell High School’s Antonio Rivera.
This is Friday Night Fletch, reporting for KPGFootball, reminding you to PLAY THROUGH THE WHISTLE!
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