Written by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

MURFREESBORO — The expected Friday night offensive shootout at Tomahawk Stadium turned in to a defensive showdown between District 7-AAA unbeatens.

Second-ranked Riverdale made enough plays to remain undefeated.

Riverdale held on to defeat sixth-ranked Siegel 21-15 and is the lone undefeated 7-AAA team left.

"We just knew we had to come out and play our butts off," Riverdale senior linebacker DeAntae Glover said. "We knew they had a potent offense. But if we went out and played our game we could stop them."

Siegel (4-1, 1-1 in 7-AAA) entered the game averaging 40.5 points a game. The Stars finished with 337 total yards — 95 less than their season average entering the contest

"It's kind of funny," Siegel coach Greg Wyant said. "Everyone thought it was going to be a 50-52 ballgame.

"That's a heck of a football team we played there. We're not into moral victories. This wasn't a victory, but I'm proud of our kids. We were where we wanted to be at the end of the game. We just wanted to be within striking distance."

Riverdale (5-0, 2-0) finished with 374 total yards — 17 less than what Siegel's defense had been giving up this season.

Harrison Reed's third 35-yard field goal of the game cut a nine-point deficit to 21-15 with 1:51 left. However, Glover recovered Siegel's onside kick. Riverdale picked up a first down and went into victory formation to seal the win.

Riverdale played without starting cornerback Lamar Brown (knee) and saftey Keenan Jackson (ankle). Siegel wide receiver/safety Tae Martin (concussion) also didn't play.

Siegel also lost junior quarterback Brent Stockstill early in the fourth quarter when he injured his right knee on a 1-yard scramble. Stockstill, who was 4 of 6 passing for 55 yards and rushed for 44 yards, had an ankle brace and was on crutches after the game.

Wyant did not know the extent of the injury after the game.

Senior Treyton Harris, who has been alternating series with Stockstill throughout the season, finished the game. He was 4 of 7 passing for 27 yards and rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries.

Clinging to a 14-12 lead midway through the fourth quarter, quarterback Dillon Woodruff broke free for a 40-yard option keeper to push the lead to 21-12.

"My emotions were on high," Woodruff said. "The last series I had a few mistakes. I just wanted to come back and show what I could do."

Woodruff finished with 125 rushing yards on 16 carries. He also was 7 of 15 passing for 72 yards.

Riverdale capitalized on Denzel Harding's fumble on the Stars' second offensive play, going 55 yards on 11 plays and scored on Adam Davenport's 2-yard run.