(Oakland) One of the biggest Class A football games in the state this week will take place in Oakland. Riverside hosts St. Albert in a matchup of two teams that received votes in this week’s AP Poll.
The Bulldogs and the Falcons appear to be among the teams in the Class A District 9 title race. Riverside’s 2-0 record includes a 45-0 win against Red Oak and a 36-2 victory against West Monona. The Falcons are 0-2, but their losses are to Lewis Central and Logan-Magnolia. Riverside coach Darrell Frain says the Falcons are still a formidable foe. “Yeah they are. They’ve played a couple of good teams so far and have a couple of losses because of it. Speed wise by far probably the fastest team we’ll see all year long. They do a lot of things and mix a lot of things up. It’s going to be a big challenge so hopefully we are up for it.”
Containing St. Albert’s speed will be a big task for a Riverside defense that hasn’t been scored upon in their last three games. “They have a lot of guys, I think every skill position has a lot of talent. They are going to spread us out and try to utilize their speed so we have to keep everybody in front of us.”
Establishing the run will be of utmost importance for the Bulldogs on offense. “Logan-Magnolia ran right at them. That’s not really our style, but we really need to establish a running game. If we do that I really think we have a chance to get this one. If we win up front and spread them out a little bit also it will give us a chance.”
Riverside is looking for a marquee win and this week’s game gives them an opportunity for that. “This is one of those that could take us to the next step. You come in 2-0 against teams that you probably should beat. I told the kids Friday good teams take care of the teams they are supposed to and that’s what we did. The teams that take the next steps are the ones that beat the teams nobody expects you to. We have to step up and who knows where it will take us after that.”
These teams have played every year since 2014 and the Falcons are 6-0 in those meetings.
