(Oakland) Riverside has shaken off a slow start with wins in two of their last three games. The Bulldogs will face a quality SW Valley squad in Week 7.
Riverside comes into play with a record of 2-4 overall and 1-3 in the district. SW Valley is 5-1 on the season with a 3-1 mark against district opponents. SW Valley has shutout wins in four of their past five games. “Offensive and defensive line, that’s their strength. They fly to the ball. Their front four on defense dominates the line of scrimmage. Their linemen on offense do a great job too. The guys that did well last week for us have to have an even better week this week for us.”
That’s Riverside coach Darrell Frain whose team will be facing a SW Valley squad that ranks 10th in Class A with 1,526 rushing yards. “It’s going to be a challenge for us. Anytime you have an offensive line that does that. They are real happy with gaining 3-4-5 yards a time and just taking their time getting down the field and controlling the clock and slowing the game down. That’s going to be a real challenge for us to get them behind the chains and maybe make them throw the ball a little bit. If we can do that we have a chance.”
Riverside posted a 46-6 homecoming win over Missouri Valley last week. “We started the game out and tried to throw the ball a little bit. Our offensive line stepped up and controlled the line of scrimmage, offensive and defensive line actually. When you win up front it gives you a good chance. We had a good running performance by Jaxon Gordon and Grady Jeppesen threw the ball well. Offense looked good and defense took care of business.”
Caden Forristall, Keaten Rieken, Nate Messerschmidt, Jon Alff, and Wyatt Bell make up the new look offensive line. “It’s coming around. They are looking a lot better. If want to have a chance the last two weeks of the season we are going to need all of those guys to step up for us.”
Freshman Jaxon Gordon ran 32 times for 114 yards last week and matched the Jason Frain and Hunter Hodges school record of four rushing touchdowns in a single game.
Riverside coach Darrell Frain: