(Oakland, IA) — For the third year in a row, Riverside will host a first round playoff game in Class A as Earlham comes to town; coverage on KSOM.
The Cardinals are the four seed out of District 6 and bring a similar style to what Riverside saw last week from AC/GC — a run first philosophy that is close to the wing T formation. Earlham is led by two senior running backs — Brady Reynolds has 705 yards rushing with 9 TD and Cole Eitel has 700 yards and 11 TD. Head Coach Chris Caskey says they are completely different runners
Caskey says the team’s real strength is on the offensive line where the Cardinals have solid experience
Caskey knows his team will have to stop Riverside’s Mason Houser but to do that, his defense will have to get through the Bulldogs offensive line which he says is a strength
Earlham has been a playoff team for five straight years so Caskey believes his team will be ready for games like this
Riverside beat Lynnville Sully in a thriller two seasons ago but lost to BGM in 2025. The Bulldogs are coming off a dramatic win over AC/GC where Houser broke an 89 yard TD run and the defense made a goal line stand to keep the Chargers out of the end zone late. Head Coach Tyler Johannsen says both says a lot about this team
Last week, AC/GC had two long drives that resulted in touchdowns but Riverside made adjustments at halftime and it got tougher for the Chargers to run in the 2nd half. That has to be the mentality for the defense the entire game against Earlham because they run a similar offense
Johannsen says that the Cardinals play physical
Johannsen says the past playoff games will be in the back of their minds but the front will be focusing on the Cardinals and getting the job done
Earlham is 4-4, Riverside is 6-2. Scouting Report at 5; In the Huddle 5:15, Pre Game 6:30, Kickoff 7 pm on 96.5 FM KSOM and audio at westerniowatoday.com.
Earlham Head Coach Chris Caskey
Riverside Head Coach Tyler Johannsen
