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Riverdale falls to Darlington
Brady paper
Senior Brady Fox receiving the toss to gain a first down for Riverdale - photo by Stacie Roen

MUSCODA — The varsity football team opened the 2015 conference season at home against perennial power Darlington. Despite playing a pretty good football game, the Chieftains lost to the Redbirds by the score of 48-8. The Chieftains were able to move the ball pretty consistently throughout the game, but five turn overs would slow the Chieftain attack.

“We did a lot of very good things out there tonight but their size and speed were difficult to handle,” said coach Thompson. “With that said we did a very nice job moving the football and if we can clean up some things we are going to become a very dangerous team.”

On a very steamy night the Chieftains would start on offense and get off to a quick start, executing the option brilliantly. Bradon Roen and Trevor Troxel would rip off runs of thirteen and twelve yards. Unfortunately, on our fifth play Drake Harris would injure his foot and miss the rest of the game.

“Drake has been playing extremely well on both sides of the ball,” said Thompson. “That really hurt.”

The Chieftain offense would stall and after a failed fake punt attempt the Redbirds took over. Darlington would strike two plays later on a 50-yard TD run and with the PAT it was 7-0.

On the Chieftains next possession they would turn the ball over, but the defense would turn in a great series led by hard charging defensive end Trevor Johnson, turning back the Redbirds.

“Great job by the defense,” said Thompson. “Trevor J. had another great game.”

The Chieftains would put together a great 11- play drive to eat up the rest of the first quarter. Mixing a short passing game and an effective running game they moved deep into Redbirds territory to start the second quarter. On the drive quarterback Trevor T. did an excellent job of recognizing what Darlington was doing and taking advantage of it. Unfortunately a turn over halted the drive. Moments later an 86- yard touchdown run and extra point made it 14-0.

“Tough turn of events right there,” said Thompson.

On Riverdale’s next possession they put together a 7-play drive as they were able to effectively hit Brady Fox on a couple of nice short pass plays.

“Brady had an excellent game and is going to be a major threat the rest of the season,” said Thompson.

 However, the drive would stall and the Chieftains would punt. Again Darlington hit the big play, this time a 65-yard touchdown run to make it 21-0.

Riverdale would bounce back and finish their next drive going 73-yards on seven plays to hit pay dirt. The drive was sparked by the relentless effort of Bradon Roen who ran over and around several Redbirds defenders for a 34-yard gain.

“Nobody runs harder then Bradon,” exclaimed Thompson.

Trevor Troxel would  cap the drive with a 23-yard touchdown scamper and after Trevor hit Elijah for the two-point conversion it was 21-8.

“Great job by the offensive line,” Thompson said. “A couple of our guys were outweighed by a 100 pounds but they kept slugging away.”

The Cheiftains kept the momentum as Bradon would pounce on the onsides kick to give them the ball back. However a turn over would return the ball to Darlington. They would then march in for a score and it was 28-8 at half. Coach Thompson

“I know what the score says but we played a lot better then it shows,” said Thompson. “We must eliminate the turn overs and I know we will."

In the second half the Redbirds would tack on three third quarter touchdownss to pull out to a 48-8 lead. Riverdale would continue to move the ball in the second half twice driving deep into Redbirds territory but both times coming up short. The final score was 48-8.

“I thought our team showed great effort and made some big strides despite the score,” Thompson said. “As we continue to work hard and improve everyday in practice our teams best moments and games are just ahead of us.”

The Chieftains next game is at Iowa–Grant this Friday against the always tough and physical Panthers. The game begins at 7 p.m.

 

Stats: Riverdale, Darlington

1st Downs: 15, 9

Passing Com/Att.:11-20, 0-3

Passing Yards: 83, 0

Rushing Att/YDS: 35-217, 35-432

Total Yards: 300, 432

Individual Stats

Passing: Trevor Troxel 11-18-83-yards

Receiving: Brady Fox 6-53; Elijah Cannon 5-30

Rushing: Bradon Roen 14-125; Trevor Troxel 11-78; Cody Sperry 8-8; Caleb Johnson 1-4; and Drake Harris 1-2

Tackles: Trevor Troxel, 7 tackles 1 tackle for loss; Caleb Johnson, 7 tackles; Bradon Roen, 7 tackles, 1 fumble recovery; and Trevor Johnson, 6 tackles, 3 tackles for loss