Alan McNeer Photo
Will Ulrich caught two touchdown passes, one on a dazzling run in the fourth quarter to secure the victory.
Alan McNeer Photo
This is one of two Jeremiah Bogan interceptions. A 66-yard return was called back for a questionable block in the back penalty.
Alan McNeer
Emanuel Jackson gets away from Wade Hampton defenders.
Alan McNeer
Riverside Head Coach Phil Smith has his team 5-5 overall and one game remaining with third place in Region II-4A at stake.
“We’re in the playoffs baby,” Jeremiah Bogan, who had two interceptions, yelled as he joined his teammates in celebration after Riverside got past Wade Hampton, 17-7, Friday night.
But before the playoffs, comes a season-final game at Riverside with Dorman next week that will determine the third seed in the region. Both teams have 4-2 region records.
Riverside is 5-5 overall. The first time it has been .500 since joining Class 4A and thrown into arguably the state’s toughest region. Riverside was winless in 11 games one year ago.
“It all started in the Spartanburg game (40-17 loss) when a light seemed to have come on,” Phil Smith, Riverside head coach, said. “We saw where we could compete with 4A teams and seemed to have gotten locked in since.”
Riverside is 4-1 in the past five games with a three-game winning streak. The Warriors have outscored opponents 80-21 during that streak.
The win over Wade Hampton didn’t come easy but some determined efforts put Riverside over the top.
Will Urich scored two touchdowns on pass receptions from Ryan Cerino. And Bogan had two interceptions – including a 64-yard return for a TD that was called back.
Robert Morrow assisted on a touchdown saving stop on the final play of the first half denying Wade Hampton at the one-foot line.
“I just knew (the Wade Hampton runner) wasn’t going to score,” Morrow said. Morrow put a shoulder into the runner that kept him out of the end zone.
The clock was stopped showing seven seconds remaining despite Wade Hampton out of time outs and officials not signaling for stoppage. After a brief discussion the officials ruled the end of the half.
“To get a stop there was a huge momentum builder,” Smith said.
Wade Hampton matched up statistically with Riverside, gaining 10 more net yards – 241-251. The Generals had 234 net yards rushing. “We did not have good practices preparing for their offense this week,” Smith said. “We practiced reading keys and staying in position. It was difficult to watch them drive down the field.”
Urich made outstanding catches and runs. He caught a ball over his shoulder on Riverside’s sideline to extend the first scoring drive and then did the same thing on 13-yard TD reception from Cerino in the corner of the end zone with 3:27 left in the third quarter.
“I’ve been here four years and we’ve not been winning. We fought all summer and all the seniors got excited. This is awesome going to the playoffs,” Urich said.
Urich’s second touchdown was characteristic of Smith’s pushing the Warriors to not accept defeat. Urich caught the ball thrown in the middle of the field at the 20-yard line of Wade Hampton, zigged, zagged and then muscled his way into the end zone.
“I knew it was third and nine and saw the corner play off,” Urich said. “When I saw a block I headed to the end zone.”
“Will is unbelievable,” Smith said. “He finds a way to get open and makes great catches.”
Bogan’s interceptions were key in stopping Wade Hampton drives. A 66-yard interception return was nullified with a block in the back penalty that was questionable.
“(Bogan) is one of the better corners I have coached,” Smith said. “To have that touchdown taken away from him on a bogus call . . .
Bogan personifies the culture of the Warriors that is being developed. “I just love playing football,” he said.
|
|
1st quarter |
2nd quarter |
3rd quarter |
4th quarter |
Total |
|
Riverside |
3 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
17 |
|
Wade Hampton |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
First Quarter
Riverside: 5:19. Antoine Kahaleh 17 field goal. 3-0.
Third Quarter
Riverside: 3:27. Will Ulrich 13 pass from Ryan Cerino. (Kahaleh kick). 10-0
Fourth Quarter
Wade Hampton: 10.01. Josh Edwards 1 run. (Brandon Glick kick). 10-7.
Riverside: 2:23. Ulrich 20 pass from Cerino. (Kahaleh kick). 17-7.