STEVE HEATH
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Streaks going in opposite directions continued Friday.

With a 41-7 win over Blackman at Tomahawk Stadium, No. 4 Riverdale (2-1, 2-0 in Region 4-5A) won its 72nd straight region/district game and 19th in a row against city opponents, improving to 8-0 all-time against Blackman.

For the Blaze (0-3, 0-2), the loss was the 14th straight dating back to the 2004 season.

“It’s a big win, especially when it’s a rivalry game,” said Riverdale senior halfback/linebacker Ben Atakpu, who rushed for one of the Warriors’ six touchdowns.

“You can’t think of it as 14,” said Blackman senior nose guard Jareth Swanson. “It’s another day gone. You have to get ready for next week. If you focus on the losses you’ll never get better.”

After going without a completed pass in last week’s 33-27 loss at Chattanooga McCallie, Riverdale scored twice through the air. Senior quarterback Scott Thomas connected twice with senior tight end Rydell Mayes. The second came with just 19.5 seconds remaining in the first half and it gave them a 28-7 lead.

Riverdale took a 7-0 lead on an 8-yard run by senior fullback Monty Newsom, then, on the first play of the second quarter, Thomas hit Mayes for a 30-yard TD pass.

Blackman fumbled the ensuing kickoff and four plays later Thomas put the Warriors up 21-0 on a one-yard sneak. The Blaze got on the board behind the running of junior quarterback Mauricio Wallace, who scored on a 51-yard run. Earlier on the drive, he had a 22-yard carry.

Atakpu and junior halfback Josh Towe had second-half touchdowns.

“I thought the kids were business-like and we controlled both lines of scrimmage,” said Riverdale coach Ron Aydelott.

Riverdale rushed for 395 yards and had 22 first downs to Blackman’s three.

Wallace was the game’s leading rusher with 83 yards. Riverdale’s Jeremy McClain rushed for 78 yards on 12 carries. Newsom had 76 yards on 10 rushes. Eight Riverdale backs rushed for at least 24 yards.

Blackman played without senior starting tailback Jeremy Mimms. He was serving the first of a two-game suspension.

— Steve Heath, 278-5169