Riverfield runs over Manchester, 34-6
The Riverfield Academy Raiders won their first district game this past Friday night by defeating the Manchester Mavericks 34-6.
The game was dominated by the Raiders both offensively and defensively.
The Raiders made an early statement in the game, scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions while the defense held the Mavericks to -3 first quarter yardage. Manchester’s only substantial drive of the second quarter was stopped abruptly when Raider defenders Tray Cade and Brennan Shelton forced and recovered a Maverick fumble behind their line of scrimmage. The Raiders went on to score two more touchdowns in the second quarter and took a commanding 27-0 lead in the half.
The third quarter was scoreless with the Raiders once again dominating the time of possession. With 7:35 left on the game clock in the fourth quarter, the Raiders scored their fifth and final touchdown of the night.
The Mavericks scored a touchdown but missed the PAT on their final possession of the fourth quarter, bringing the final score to 34-6.
All in all the Raiders played well in their first district match-up. Defensively, the Raiders held Manchester to only two first down conversions in the entire contest. Offensively, the Raiders ran the ball well and showed great improvement in the passing game from the previous week.
The Raiders gained 232 yards rushing and scored four out of five touchdowns with the run. Turner Bridges was the leading rusher in the game with 94 yards on 15 carries. Bridges scored twice with a first quarter one-yard run and a second quarter eight-yard run.
Zach Carnegie had 59 yards on eight carries and scored once on a first quarter 24-yard run. Carnegie also had a kick off return of 26 yards and a 59 yard punt return in the game.
Cole Garrett had 32 yards on seven carries. Garrett scored the final Raider touchdown of the night on a seven-yard fourth quarter run.
Nathan Barham rushed for 32 yards on one carry. Barham also had a 10-yard punt return in the game. Joseph Morris added 15 yards on two carries to the rushing attack.
The Raider passing game looked good Friday night. Joseph Morris was eight for 12 with a total of 126 yards gained. Morris connected three times with Matthew Weems for 21 yards, once with Bridges for eight yards, once with Garrett for three yards and once with John Kevin Greer on a seven-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter. Caleb Clark was four for five on the one-point PAT in the game.
The Raiders turned the ball over only once in the game on a second quarter fumble and seemed to play with greater confidence this week.
Head coach Boyd Cole had these comments after the Raiders victory Friday night:
“We finally put together a complete game on both sides of the ball. Taking the opening kickoff and driving and scoring first was a bit plus. Our defense came out and got a three and out and the offense again took the ball and scored. That second touchdown took a lot of the steam out of Manchester and we dominated the rest of the way.
“We have Trinity coming to town this Friday and they have an explosive football team. We are going to have to put forth the same type of effort we had last Friday. We need all Raider fans to come out and support the Riverfield football team. Thank you for your support his season.”
The Raiders will be in action at home again this week. Hey all you Raider fans, come on out to Joe Meeks Field tomorrow night as the Raiders will take on the Trinity Episcopal Saints. Kick off is at 7 p.m.
The entire Raider Nation takes a pause at this time to offer condolences to the family, friends, classmates, teammates, coaches and teachers of Tyrell Cameron in his tragic death this past Friday night.
We call on God for His comfort and grace to be very present with each of you during this time of sorrow and loss. You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers.