First-year Riverview coach Bruce Gifford can’t wait for the start of fall practice and the first time he can see his team in pads. One reason for that is Gifford will finally have the chance to see senior linebacker Shannon Burch back in action.

Burch, a starting outside linebacker, went down in a Week 5 loss to Hillsborough with a torn ACL in his left knee and missed the rest of the season. The loss of Burch, who averaged seven tackles per game before the injury, was certainly felt the rest of the season.

“As soon as he went down we were just kind of platooning guys in and out of there to try and fill that spot, but we just couldn’t never get it done,” said Gifford, who was Riverview’s defensive coordinator last season.

Burch has successfully completed his rehab and has been given a clean bill of health by his doctors, and Gifford can’t wait to see him back in action. Gifford praised Burch’s work during offseason conditioning this summer, and the coach anticipates his return as being a huge boost to Riverview’s defense in 2008.

“He’s going to be big for us if he can stay out there,” Gifford said.