The Riverbank Bruins played their last varsity football game of the season at home on Friday, Oct. 29, at Angelo Novi Stadium. They hosted the Hilmar Yellowjackets, and came away stung, with a 49-0 loss to close out the year’s schedule.
RHS coach Joe Pirillo noted some positives in his stats of the game.
He pointed out that junior quarterback Armando Guzman was able to complete five of the 14 passes he attempted, for 45 yards. He also said senior Stanley Tran had one catch for 12 yards, while senior Nick Mangiapane came up with four catches for 33 yards.
On defense, senior Rogelio Perez accounted for 10 tackles total, one for a loss. Senior Jackson Tigert also had six total tackles, again one for a loss. Junior Alex Nisperos came up with five total tackles, two for a loss, and senior Jason Chapline contributed three tackles, one for a loss, along with an interception.
The coach said, “We’ve finished the season, even though we did not win a game we have finished with a better CalPreps rating than we have in the last five years. That’s positive, heading into the off-season.”
The coach added that while the season is over, the work is not.
“It will be crucial for us and will require these young players to make the sacrifices this off-season to commit to this team and to each other. If we do that, we will continue in the right direction,” he said. “We are building for the future. These young players on the roster have bought in and will hit the off-season hard. We will work with the middle school and try to bring in more freshmen to add to young players that will be sophomores next year to have a JV team.”
Riverbank, playing its league games in the notoriously tough TVL, continued to suit up, show up and play hard despite often being shut out by their opponents.
“I am very proud of this group of young men that battled week in and week out and never gave up,” Pirillo added. “It showed their true character as we work to create a foundation for Riverbank football. We will miss the seniors and we wish them the best of luck to their future.”
Lady Bruin Golf
Riverbank’s girls golf team got in its last tournament of the season last week, according to coach Ismael Mercado.
He said his team got to compete in the Division V Section Tournament on Monday, Oct. 25, but did not qualify for the Masters Tournament in Stockton this past Monday.
Bruin Cross Country
Riverbank’s cross country squads finished out their TVL season with the final of three meets, held this year at Jacob Myers Park.
Sub-Sections are set for Saturday, Nov. 6 in Angels Camp, while Nov. 13 will bring the Section Championship in Folsom.
Winter Sports Begin
Practices for Riverbank’s winter sports teams began this week, on Monday, Nov. 1.
Boys and girls basketball squads and soccer teams were scheduled to begin official workouts this week.
They’re allowed to begin scrimmages on Nov. 12, with pre-season, non-league games commencing on Nov. 19.
Basketball league games won’t begin until early January 2022, with some tournaments scheduled for the Christmas break.
Meanwhile, Trans-Valley League soccer games will begin on Dec. 15.
Riverbank is not fielding a wrestling team this year.
