Allen McNeer
Darius Smith blocked this kick and picked it up for a 25-yard touchdown with 4:41 left in the first half.
Allen McNeer
It was a happy night at Riverside as the Warriors beat J.L. Mann.
Allen McNeer
Riverside's Emanuel Jackson is on his way to one of two touchdown runs.
Allen McNeer
Erin Woods was voted 2014 Riverside High School Homecoming Queen.
The Warriors beat the Patriots 37-7 and along the way managed to hit some key marks:
• winning back-to-back games for the first time since 2009.
• beat Mann for the first time in the past five meetings.
• won more games than the past three years combined.
• is 3-2 in Region II, and within one win of securing a playoff spot.
“This is the best feeling in the world,” said Tanner Pittman, Riverside defensive back. He should know since his class was winless in three previous homecoming games and the Warriors losing their past five.
“It’s a team effort,” said Pittman. “The defense and offense are doing the job.”
Emanuel Jackson did his job running for two touchdowns – 38- and 35-yard runs. His 38-yard scoring run with 4:05 left in the first quarter gave Riverside the lead despite only having possession for six plays. Antoine Kahaleh kicked three extra points and three fields.
Darius Smith blocked a punt and picked it up on one bounce to finish the play with a 25-yard sprint into the end zone.
Mark James illustrated the ball bouncing Riverside’s way when he picked up a fumble by teammate Jackson and ran it into the end zone for a touchdown to build a 27-0 lead.
“Mark James played out of his mind,” said Phil Smith, Riverside head coach. “Emanuel (Jackson) played a great game.
“Our focus is all goal oriented now. Since the first region win the kids have been riding that.”
A win next Friday at Wade Hampton assures Riverside makes the 4A playoffs – another first.
Mann’s score on a Matt Atkins 40-yard pass to Brian Jennings wiped out a shutout the Warriors had wanted.
“We wanted that shutout,” said Smith. “That kind of hurt at the end. We worked on that for a good part of the week.”
Ryan Cerino said he is enjoying the success of the team. “It feels great to get the school behind us and it’s a little more relaxing watching the scoreboard. This is stuff you remember for the rest of your life.”
Riverside is 4-5 overall. Mann fell to 2-7 overall and 0-5 in the region.
|
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
Total |
| JL Mann |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
|
Riverside |
7 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
37 |
First quarter
4:05. Riverside: Emanuel Jackson 38 run (Antoine Kahaleh kick). 7-0.
Second quarter
6:35. Riverside: Kahaleh 28 FG. 10-0.
4:41. Riverside: Darius Smith 25 blocked punt return. (Kahaleh kick). 17-0.
Third quarter
8:44. Riverside: Kahaleh 37 FG. 20-0.
6:21. Riverside: Mark James 25 fumble return (Kahaleh kick). 27-0.
Fourth quarter
7:58. J.L. Mann: Brian Jennings 40 pass from Matt Atkins. (Chris Donovan kick). 27-7.
6:56. Riverside: Jackson 35 fumble return. (Cameron Antley kick) 34-7.
: 57. Riverside: Kahaleh 43 FG. 37-7.