Clinches share of District 7-AAA title

BY JARED HASTINGS • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it • October 17, 2009

Amid cold, mud and missed opportunities, Riverdale made one more play Friday night than Siegel.

Grayson Powell's extra point midway through the third quarter was the difference as No. 4 Riverdale outlasted host Siegel 7-6 on a wet and sloppy Senior Night.

With the win, Riverdale (7-1, 4-0 in District 7-AAA) guaranteed itself at least a share of the district crown. Siegel fell to 3-5, 0-4 in district.

"We never give up," said Riverdale senior quarterback Cody West, who scored the Warriors' lone touchdown on a three-yard run. "Everytime we come out, it's a new game and we don't let what's happened before effect us."

Riverdale's offense struggled mightily in the first half, rushing for just 45 yards and turning the ball over twice. Of the Warriors' five first-half drives, two ended with fumbles, two on punts and one on a blocked punt.

However, Siegel was unable to take advantage of its opportunities. Matthew Garnett blocked Powell's punt and Taylor Wyant recovered at the Riverdale 2 to give the Stars' first-and-goal. A false start penalty backed Siegel up to the 7 and two plays later Jesse Chambers missed a 21-yard field goal.

Later in the quarter, the second of T.J. Mitchell's three fumble recoveries set the Stars up at the Riverdale 27, but Siegel turned the ball over on downs without recording a first down.

"I give our defense and (defensive coordinator Bobby) Wells credit," said Riverdale coach Ron Aydelott, whose team allowed just two first downs in the second half. "They did a good job of keeping us in it.

"It was a nasty game, and you could tell that it was going to be the type of game where it wouldn't take a lot of points to win it."

With its running game struggling, the Riverdale passing game had one of its best games of the season. In addition to running for 29 yards on 13 carries, West completed 11-of-16 passes for 154 yards. He threw six times for 60 yards to Adam Davenport, and his 53-yard strike to David Miles-Peppers set up his touchdown run two plays later.

"We didn't take advantage of opportunities, but Riverdale put the game in the hands of their quarterback and he made the plays to win the game," said Siegel coach David Watson.

Siegel made the most explosive play of the night, but in the end, it cost the Stars dearly.

With three seconds remaining until halftime, senior quarterback Tanner Witt rolled left and found Marc Gooch slanting to the middle of the field. From there, it was all Gooch, as the senior split two defenders and broke two tackles before sprinting to the end zone.

Gooch, who finished with six catches for 131 yards, was whistled for excessive celebration after scoring the touchdown, backing up the extra point attempt 15 yards. Chambers' extra-point attempt — from 35 yards out — went wide.

Down 7-6, Siegel did have its chances in the closing moments. That's when Chris Mayes took over. The senior defensive lineman recovered a Witt fumble with 4:03 remaining in the game with the Stars at the Riverdale 22.

Siegel got the ball back one more time, but Mayes sacked Witt for a 12-yard loss, knocking the senior from the game. On fourth-and-18, Mayes sacked Siegel backup Connor Smith — along with teammate Brandon Constant — to seal the win.