Alan McNeer
Jared Laymon (32) and Darius Smith (25) bring down a Spartanburg runner.
Alan McNeer Photo
A group of Warriors meet at the ballcarrier.
Alan McNeer
Antonio McGowan makes a picture-perfect catch of a Ryan Cerino pass.
Alan McNeer Photo
Riverside's defense stood tall stopping the Vikings on this play.
Spartanburg eliminated the Riverside Warriors from the Class 4A Division II state playoffs with a 31-7 victory. It was the second time the teams met this season, with virtually the same margin. Spartanburg won the regular season game 40-17.
“I knew we had to play perfect to play a good Spartanburg team,” said Riverside Head Coach Phil Smith. “We didn’t play perfect.”
Both teams were far from perfect but Riverside can take solace that this year’s Warriors team found its way into its first class 4A football playoff and finished its season with a 5-7 record and earning its first Region II victories. Riverside was 0-11 in 2013 and the win total this season equals what the Warriors had in the four previous seasons.
The Warriors spent the early part of the week regrouping after attending a funeral on Monday for a popular classmate who died last week.
Riverside appeared set on stopping running back Tavien Feaster, which it did somewhat to 103 yards rushing on 18 carries.
But Spartanburg quarterback Austin Scott found the quickest passage into the end zone through the air with three first-half scoring strikes – Xavier Young (22 yards), Feaster (47) and Cody Lapole (44). Tiger Jeter’s 6-yard run scoring run in the third quarter was all the touchdowns Spartanburg would get.
Ryan Cerino connected with Will Urich, his favorite receiver all season, for an 18-yard scoring strike to cut the lead to 14-7 with 9:51 left in the half. Jeter’s run and Lapole’s TD was scored within 1:20 of each other for the halftime lead.
Landon Kunak’s FG was the only points in the second half.
Running back Austin Brouwer did not play because of an injury suffered last week. Dondre Thompson gained 89 yards on 18 carries as a replacement.
Riverside’s defense lost defensive back Mark James when he went down with an injury and he did not play in the second half. The Warriors intercepted Scott twice in the second half and held Spartanburg to 80 yards.
“Mark James is the backbone of our defensive backs,” Smith said. “It hurt losing him.”
“We still fought hard,” said Emanuel Jackson. “It definitely hurt us losing him.”
“That’s one thing I heard from other coaches, that our players play to the end of the game and it showed character,” said Smith.
‘I’m proud of our guys but hate it for our seniors,” Smith said. “They gave me everything I asked of them.”
Scoring summary
|
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Total |
|
Riverside |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
Spartanburg |
14 |
14 |
3 |
0 |
31 |
FIRST QUARTER
8:26. Spartanburg: Tavier Young 22 pass from Austin Scott. (Landon Kunak kick). 7-0
:54: Spartanburg: Tavien Fester 47 pass from Scott. (Kunak kick). 14-0.
SECOND QUARTER
9:52. Riverside: Will Urich 13 pass from Ryan Cerino. (Antoine Keheler kick). 14-7.
2:26. Spartanburg: Tiger Jeter 6 run (Kunak kick). 21-7.
1:06. Spartanburg: Cody Lapole 44 pass from Scott. (Kunak kick). 28-7.
THIRD QUARTER
9:40. Spartanburg: Kunak 19 FG. 31-7.
|
TEAM |
RHS |
Spart |
|
|
(VISITOR) |
(HOME) |
|
First Downs |
9 |
19 |
|
--Rushing |
5 |
10 |
|
--Passing |
3 |
5 |
|
--Penalty |
1 |
4 |
|
Rushing Attempts |
34 |
31 |
|
Yards Gained Rushing |
144 |
191 |
|
Yards Lost Rushing |
40 |
-30 |
|
Net Yards Rushing |
104 |
221 |
|
Net Yards Passing |
72 |
177 |
|
--Passes Attempted |
20 |
22 |
|
--Passes Completed |
12 |
8 |
|
--Had Intercepted |
1 |
2 |
|
Total Offensive Plays |
54 |
53 |
|
Total Net Yards |
176 |
398 |
|
--Average Gain Per Play |
3.3 | 7.5 |
|
Fumbles: Number / Lost |
2 / 0 |
2 / 1 |
|
Penalties: Number / Yards |
5 / 55 |
10 / 90 |
|
Number of Punts / Yards |
10 / 310 |
3 / 114 |
|
--Average Per Punt |
31.0 | 38.0 |
|
Punt Returns: Number / Yards |
3 / 23 |
6 / 93 |
|
Number of Kickoffs / Yards |
2 / 60 |
6 / 347 |
|
--Average Per Kick |
30.0 | 57.8 |
|
--Touchbacks |
0 |
4 |
|
Kickoff Returns: Number / Yards |
2 / 30 |
2 / 26 |
|
Interception Returns: Number / Yards |
2 / 8 |
1 / 38 |
|
Fumble Returns: Number / Yards |
0 / 0 |
0 / 0 |
|
Miscellaneous Yards |
0 |
0 |
|
Possession Time |
30:28 |
27:11 |
|
Third Down Conversions |
2 of 14 |
5 of 12 |
|
Fourth Down Conversions |
0 of 0 |
0 of 1 |
|
Sacks By: Number / Yards |
0 / 0 |
3 / 26 |
|
TEAM |
RHS |
Spart |
|
|
(VISITOR) |
(HOME) |
|
Score |
7 |
31 |
|
First Downs |
9 |
19 |
|
Rushes / Yards (Net) |
34 / 104 |
31 / 221 |
|
Passing Yards (Net) |
72 |
177 |
|
Passes -- Att / Comp / Int |
20/12/1 |
22/8/2 |
|
Total Offensive Plays / Yards |
54 / 176 |
53 / 398 |
|
Fumble Returns / Yards |
0 / 0 |
0 / 0 |
|
Punt Returns / Yards |
3 / 23 |
6 / 93 |
|
Kickoff Returns / Yards |
2 / 30 |
2 / 26 |
|
Interception Returns / Yards |
2 / 8 |
1 / 38 |
|
Punts (Number/Average) |
10 / 31.0 |
3 / 38.0 |
|
Fumbles / Lost |
2 / 0 |
2 / 1 |
|
Penalties / Yards |
5 / 55 |
10 / 90 |
|
Possession Time |
30:28 |
27:11 |
|
RHS |
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS |
Spart |
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