By Josh Beasley / Staff Reporter of The Daily News Journal

LAVERGNE — What else could Riverdale (8-2, 7-0 in Region 4-5A) possibly be playing for?

The Warriors have already secured a spot in the postseason. Also, they’ve already outright won their region. So what could possibly motivate this squad to strap it on Friday night?

How about a Region 4-5A winning streak that has amassed to 56 games after a 41-20 thumping of La Vergne High School (3-7, 1-6 in Region 4-5A) at La Vergne.

“It was real important to us,” Warrior offensive lineman Charlie Todd said. “Everybody was thinking that if we win or lose we’re still in (the postseason). But coach Wyatt made it clear to me that we had a 55 game winning streak and that we need to keep it up. That’s something we pride in.”

The streak stayed alive, and getting there for the Warriors started early. The first play of the game junior signal caller Dave Thomas went up top to junior wideout Keaton Davis for an 80 yard touchdown strike, giving Riverdale an early 7-0 advantage with only 13-seconds into the ball game.

“Coach saw what I saw,” said Anderson, who hauled in two receptions for 106-yards. “It was a weak corner over there so I knew I had to catch it and that it was all on me. It was me and the defensive back. I knew that if my quarterback could get it to me I would do my best.”

Riverdale would add another score off the legs of Thomas to give the Warriors a 14 spot after a quarter of play.

The Warriors would make two more visits to paydirt before La Vergne would get on the board.

With less than 10 minutes in the half the Wolverines mounted a 14 play 80-yard drive that chewed up 5-minutes and 34-seconds of clock time to make it a 14-point game at 21-7. However, Riverdale countered the Wolverines drive with a two-play 78-yard burst in that burnt less than two-minutes off the clock. Facing a second and 17 from their own 25-yard line, Thomas optioned out to Anderson who darted 75-yards for the score and a 28-7 intermission lead. The touchdown run for Anderson was one of two touchdown runs for the speedy back for more than 75-yards, partly due to an overpowering offensive front.

“We try to be as fundamentally sound as we can when we come out on the field,” Todd said. “But we don’t always get the recognition we deserve when we make the big block or spring the back free.”

“But I’ll block for Gaston (Miller) any day because he runs hard every play and he’s kind of underrated as a sophomore. But I think he’s one of the best in the state and I’ll block for him any day.”

The Warriors would cruise in the second half, building a lead that La Vergne would struggle to overcome.

“It seems like we play harder against the teams with the better records,” Wolverine head coach Don Thomas said. “Our kids haven’t quite learned that we have to play with intensity every week. I felt like we played well at times tonight, but we gave up the big plays. But if we cut down on the big plays, we’re in a better situation. We have to learn to play every week and that’s what I think our younger guys our going to do.”