Robert Morrow's touchdown gave Riverside its first lead over an opponent this season.
Jordan Paden's punts spiraled down causing J.L. Mann to drop two, one recovered by Riverside.
The brief talk, after Riverside lost for the ninth time this season, 37-10, at J.L. Mann Friday night, was to soothe the players’ feelings and give some semblance of hope with two games remaining.
“I’ve got a bunch of kids in there (locker room) that must go to work Monday,” Smith softly said.
Riverside scored first on Robert Morrow’s 25-yard reception and run from quarterback Aaron Odom. Antoine Kahaleh’s kick made it 7-0. That made Morrow happy.
“When I scored that touchdown it made me feel good,” Morrow said. “It gave us the lead and I saw a lot of players smiling.”
“Robert’s touchdown was a great play. You can’t give up,” Smith said.
Riverside held the lead until the Patriots’ Josh Samuel, scored the first of his three touchdowns with 29 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Chris Donovan’s first of four PATs tied the game.
Mann took the lead for good when Malik Chappell scored on a 19-yard pass from Heath Gerrald and Donovan’s PAT. Kahaleh kicked a 12-yard FG with 1:58 left in the half to make the contest as close as it would get.
Odom has taken a beating throughout the season at quarterback. “Aaron has done a great job,” Smith said. “He’s a tough, tough kid.”
Corey Bridges turned in two catches into first downs that set up scoring opportunities. Riverside capitalized on one, Kahaleh’s field goal. “Corey catches the ball well and has good blocking technique.”
Riverside punter Jordan Paden twice caused Mann to fumble his kicks when they came spiraling down. Riverside recovered one but turned the ball over on downs and a second kick was recovered by Mann.
“Paden did a great job punting tonight,” Smith said. “The hardest punts to catch are the spirals. Those are the little things I am talking about.”
Riverside hosts its second one-win team next Friday when Wade Hampton visits the Reservation. Wade Hampton lost to Spartanburg 76-34 Friday night. Riverside lost to Spartanburg 55-7 in week five.
|
|
1st Quarter |
2nd Quarter |
3rd Quarter |
4th Quarter |
Total |
|
Riverside |
7 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
|
7 |
7 |
7 |
16 |
37 |
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
RIVERSIDE – Robert Morrow 25 pass from Aaron Odom (Antoine Kahaleh kick). 7-0. 5:30
JL MANN – Josh Samuel 6 run (Chris Donovan kick). 7-7. 0:29.
2nd Quarter
JL MANN – Malik Chappell 19 pass from Heath Gerrald (Donovan kick). 14-7. 8:40.
RIVERSIDE – Kahaleh 23 FG. 14-10. 1:58.
3rd Quarter
JL MANN – Samuel 75 run (Donovan kick). 21-10. 11:40.
4th Quarter
JL MANN – Team tackled Odom in end zone for safety. 23-10. 8:08.
JL MANN – Samuel 10 run (Donovan kick). 30-10. 7:30.
JL MANN – Josh Sullivan 4 run (Donovan kick). 37-10. 3:55.