Riverbank Bruin football kicked off its fall 2021 season on the road, traveling to Tracy for a non-league game last week, against the Millennium Falcons.
In summing up the game, new varsity football coach Joseph Pirillo noted that, “there were a lot of positives for the first game. If we eliminate the two turnovers in the first half and the penalties, and we are right there.”
With Riverbank kicking off, the defense held its ground in the first possession, and the Bruins were able to move the ball to midfield before a fumble lost the ball, leading to a Falcon TD.
The next scoring came in the third quarter, when both teams scored touchdowns, without adding the PATs, and they both scored six points in the fourth quarter, leaving the difference in the 19-12 Riverbank loss that first touchdown.
In tallying up post-game stats, Pirillo pointed out scores by running backs Freddie Anderson and Anthony Leon, both seniors.
The coach said the Bruins tallied 254 yards rushing on 47 carries in the game. He listed Leon with 89 yards on 16 carries, with the TD, and Anderson with 11 carries for 72 yards and a score.
Alex Nisperos contributed 11 carries for 67 yards, while Jackson Tigert added 30 yards on six carries.
On the defensive side, Pirillo noted Marcos Ramirez had five solo tackles, five assists and a sack of the quarterback.
Nisperos also added five solos, four assists and a sack, while Justin Miranda had a solo, six assists and a sack. Lawrence Diaz had four solo tackles and three assists.
The varsity Bruins open up the home season on Friday, Aug. 27, with the Delhi Hawks coming to town. The varsity game is set to start at 7 p.m.
Lady Bruin Volleyball
Riverbank’s first outing of the season, an appearance at the Orestimba High School Tournament, brought mixed results on Saturday, Aug. 21.
In their first match, the girls took a win over Pacheco of Los Banos, 2-1, but then lost 2-0 to Franklin High of Stockton.
A home match against Waterford, originally set for Aug. 24, was canceled so the Lady Bruins will play next in the Foundation Game, at Johansen, on Monday, Aug. 30. On Tuesday, Aug. 31 they’ll travel to Ceres to take on Central Valley High, then have their first home match, hosting Orestimba, on Thursday, Sept. 2.
Girls Golf
The Lady Bruin golfers were to hit the links this Monday, Aug. 23, at Tracy, then host Orestimba on Aug. 24 at the Escalon Golf Course. They'll play again Thursday, Aug. 26, against Ripon Christian. They also had the chance to scrimmage against Escalon this past week.
Co-Ed Cross Country
Riverbank runners are scheduled to see their first competition at a Trans-Valley League meet in River Bluff Regional Park in Ceres on Wednesday, Sept. 1.
