Warriors bounce back, rout Antioch
Riverdale found its stride with its forte Friday night.
Out of their patented wing-T offense, the Warriors amassed 499 rushing yards en route to an 42-7 win over visiting Antioch at Tomahawk Stadium.
"I thought up front they just manhandled us," Antioch coach Mike Woodward said. "They definitely came out with a little chip on their shoulder from last week, and they came after us."
A week after rushing for 111 yards in a season-opening loss at Oakland — the Warriors' lowest rushing output in three seasons — Riverdale (1-1) scored on its first four possessions and had 305 yards on the ground by halftime.
"We all understood where we needed to be, and we all worked through it as a team," said halfback DeQuinton Sherrill, who rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.
His first carry — a 21-yard run on third-and-9 from the Riverdale 7-yard line —jumpstarted the Warriors' first scoring drive of the night. It was part of a big first-quarter momentum swing that changed the entire complexion of the contest.
After Bears senior quarterback Terrence Davis (72 yards on 15 carries) rumbled for 47 yards on the game's first play from scrimmage, Riverdale hankered down and stopped the Bears — causing a fumble three plays later at the Warriors' 6-yard line.
They rolled from there, mounting a seven-play, 94-yard drive that quarterback Cody West capped with a one-yard touchdown run.
The Warriors went on to score on their next three possessions and hold Antioch scoreless on two more first-half red zone opportunities.
"Even when things went bad, we kept playing hard," Riverdale coach Ron Aydelott said. "Eventually they had to make plays, and they didn't and we did."
Ultimately, the Bears gained just 269 total yards. Davis — who was intercepted twice by Riverdale senior Devaun Howse — connected with Zellburge Gleaves for a 25-yard touchdown late in the second quarter for Antioch's only score.
"We're not physical enough," Antioch quarterback/running back Rodney Pruitt said. "We'll get back to it Monday and try to work on it, and hopefully we can improve next week."
Sherrill and the other Riverdale backs praised their offensive line after the game. Left tackle Chris Mayes said the unit played with more tenacity this week after losing 17-6 to open the season.
"We had to take the pain that we felt at Oakland and use it and put it out here and let people know that RIverdale's not going anywhere," Mayes said.
He and his mates paved the way for four ball carriers — Sherrill, Aaron Ebalaroza (140 yards), Rodney Parker (74 yards) and Joey Lee (73 yards) — who gained more than 70 yards. Parker's came on one carry late in the fourth quarter.
Antioch allowed 40-plus points for the second straight week after falling to MBA in Week 0.
"We have played two great opponents but as far as the region goes, we're 0-0," Woodward said. "And the region is what decides the playoffs."
Riverdale plays at Blackman next week.
"There's nothing like a win," Aydelott said. "It can cure a lot of problems, pick the pace of practice up and show the kids they have the ability to do those things if they do what they're coached to do."
Scoreboard - November 25, 2011
| Teams | Score | |
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| Riverdale Maryville |
14 42 |
Final |
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