STEVE HEATH
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Jeremy McClain’s first-half highlight reel was more than enough for the Riverdale Warriors.

The junior halfback, getting his first career playoff start, scored three first-half touchdowns, two in a 26-point second quarter, in the fourth-ranked Warriors 54-3 win over Warren County (4-7) in a first-round game in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association State Football Playoffs at Tomahawk Stadium Friday.

Riverdale (10-1) will play host to Lincoln County (8-3) in a second-round game Nov. 10 at Tomahawk Stadium. The Warriors beat the Falcons 39-7 Sept. 8 at Lincoln County.

“Jeremy’s had quite a year and we hope he’s a seasoned veteran by now,” said Riverdale coach Ron Aydelott. “We expect big plays out of Jeremy. He plays a position that we expect big plays. Hopefully he’s got a few more left.”

McClain’s 11-yard touchdown run with just 1:21 in the first quarter started the scoring and he added a 13-yard scoring run and a diving grab in the end zone on a 29-yard pass from senior quarterback Scott Thomas with just over two minutes remaining in the half.

“He played great tonight and that was a great catch. I overthrew him a little bit and he just stretched out for it and made a great play,” said Thomas.

McClain added a fourth touchdown, on an 8-yard pass from Thomas, in the second half and intercepted a pass late in the game.

“It feels good being a big part of the win,” said McClain, who backed up Gaston Miller, now at Vanderbilt, last season, and rushed for 821 yards during the regular season. “

Warren County had cut it to 7-3 on a 27-yard field goal by Tony Garibaldi with 9:49 remaining in the first half, but the Warriors dominated the remainder of the game.

While McClain was making the highlights on offense, senior linebacker Ben Atakpu was doing it on defense.

Atakpu had a second-quarter fumble recovery to set up a short 29-yard drive finishing with a Thomas 6-yard run, on fourth down. To end the half, Atakpu intercepted a Kyle Mullican pass and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown.

The Riverdale defense forced six turnovers, including four interceptions.

After a 39-game losing streak, Warren County, for the first time in school, history qualified for the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, both times eliminated in the first round.

The Warriors rushed for 380 yards and added 80 more through the air. It was the most passing yards since the season opening when the Warriors had 120 passing yards in a 21-14 win over Siegel.

Thomas rushed for 152 yards. It was his eighth 100-plus yard rushing game of the season.

— Steve Heath, 278-5169