(Oakland) Riverside still has a shot at the playoffs heading into the final week of the regular season. The Bulldogs need a win against Earlham to have any hopes of sneaking into the postseason.
Riverside 2-5 overall and 1-4 in the district. Earlham is 2-3 in Class A, District 7. Bulldog coach Darrell Frain comments on the matchup against a Cardinal team that has rushed for over 1,500 yards on the season. Riverside allowed 297 yards on the ground last week vs SW Valley. “Their strength might be a little bit of our weakness. The style of ball they have I think defensively we can run to the ball a little bit and that gives us a chance. Defensively that will be the biggest challenge. Offensively I definitely think we can move the ball, so it could be an interesting night.”
Coach Frain says his team’s offensive and defensive line play has improved. He’s optimistic about what his offense can accomplish this week. “We may speed it up a little bit and go what we call NASCAR with our no huddle. I think if we can make them start running around a little bit it could create some big plays for us.”
Ayden Salais broke the Riverside single season receiving yardage record last week. With three catches for 43 yards in their 49-21 loss to SW Valley he now has 611 yards for the year. “Ayden has accomplished a lot for us. He started out as a little, scrawny freshman and sophomore. He’s still not the biggest guy in the world, but he’s gotten a lot faster. Great confidence in his skill level and leadership wise is unbelievable. He’s done a great job for us. We are counting on him a lot. We put the ball in his hands and he’s done a good job.” It breaks the mark of 580 yards held by Brogan Allensworth since 2019.
Riverside coach Darrell Frain: