Riverdale packing 1-2 punch in backfield
Their running styles differ as much as their personalities do.
The similarities between Riverdale's Aaron Ebalaroza and DeQuinton Sherrill lie in their production.
And to the Riverdale football team (2-1), that's ultimately what matters.
Ebalaroza and Sherrill have quickly emerged as the go-to backs in Warriors' rushing attack. Through three games, the duo has combined for 565 yards on the ground, six touchdowns and a hearty handful of highlight-reel runs.
Ebalaroza is a 5-8, 195-pound senior who doesn't hesitate to speak his mind to teammates as a leader — or opponents as a gritty competitor. He was one of the Warriors' four main ball carriers last season but never broke loose quite like he has this year.
The punishing fullback, who takes the majority of his runs right up the gut, scored all three of the Warriors' touchdowns in Friday's 21-13 win at Blackman, and he has 275 rushing yards on 30 carries thus far — good for 9.2 yards per carry.
Sherrill, a 5-9, 168-pound junior, played sparingly a year ago but took advantage when his No. 20 was called. In Riverdale's thrilling 36-32 win at Smyrna, Sherrill took just one handoff. He ran it 46 yards.
Sherrill is softspoken, much quieter than Ebalaroza. And while he tends to hide behind his shy demeanor, he cannot hide on Friday nights any longer.
This year, Sherrill has taken 19 carries for 290 yards to the tune of 15.3 yards per carry. He scored two touchdowns in a Week 1 win over Antioch, and 12 of his 19 rushes — most of which come on what Riverdale calls a "jet sweep" — have gone for more than 10 yards.
The jet sweep brings Sherrill from one end of the offensive line to the other, allowing him to gain momentum before he gets his hands on the ball.
"We have several ways to get him the football, but that's the one that seems to be cooking," Riverdale coach Ron Aydelott said.
To Ebalaroza, the fashion in which he or Sherrill receive the ball isn't as important as the mentality they have once they get going. It starts at practice.
"We tell the backs, especially all the seniors, we want everybody to finish their runs," Ebalaroza said. "So whether we're five yards out of the end zone at practice or 60 yards out of the end zone, we take the ball to the end zone. I guess that translates during the game."
And it hasn't just been Ebalaroza and Sherrill. Junior quarterback Cody West ran for 77 yards Friday and is averaging more than 5 yards per carry. Backup fullback Tyler Hunt, a senior, is averaging 8.9 yards per carry. Senior Trey Oliver and Joey Lee have showed signs of big-play ability, as well.
Aydelott says the entire team has fed off the running backs' tempo in practice, and that has played a big part in helping the Warriors earn wins the last two Friday nights after their season-opening loss at Oakland.
"We're practicing better, and that does translate into better game reps," Aydelott said. "Sometimes it's not what you're doing, it's how you're doing it that matters.
"We're trying to emphasize practicing faster and getting to places quicker. Sometimes it takes a defeat to regenerate that practice energy."
It has certainly generated plenty of production from the dynamic duo — and reliability, too.
Of the Warriors' 11 fumbles on the season, none have come from Ebalaroza or Sherrill. The two have also been tackled for negative yardage just once — on Sherrill's first carry at Oakland. Ten of his next 11 trips went for 10 or more yards.
Not that yardage is a goal for him, or for his counterpart.
"We're not aiming to get 5, 10 yards," Ebalaroza said. "We're trying to get a touchdown every time we touch the ball."
WARRIORS RUNNING WILD
Running production for Riverdale's Aaron Ebalaroza and DeQuinton Sherrill through three games:
Ebalaroza Sherrill
Week 0 at Oakland 6-36 2-9
Week 1 vs. Antioch 10-140 7-133
Week 2 at Blackman 14-99 11-148
Totals 30-275 19-290
Scoreboard - November 25, 2011
| Teams | Score | |
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| Riverdale Maryville |
14 42 |
Final |
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