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Bruin Gridders Grab Win on the Raod
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The Bruins looked totally in control of the football as they shut out the Warriors 28-0 on Friday night.

Riverbank varsity gridders prevailed despite Orestimba playing on its own turf in Newman. The Warriors put on a show, firing off a cannon at intervals and parading its full school band at halftime. But the hoopla didn't help their score.

"We played very well. We made no turnovers and had only five penalties," said Bruin coach Matt Elkins. "Modesto Christian will be the big test, this week. I didn't want to overlook Orestimba. But I felt confident going into that game."

The Bruins scored in every quarter and the Warriors never really seemed to pose a threat.

Fullback Jon Blount once again covered himself with glory by making three of Riuverbank's touchdowns.

Within minutes of the opening kickoff, Blount scrambled into the Orestima end zone on a 10-yard run. Van Ross kicked fair and square between the uprights for the extra point.

Quarterback Daniel DeCroix launched a superb 57-yard pass to Blount on the right wing to notch up another touchdown in the second quarter. The kick failed.

Coming out after halftime, Blount got his hands to another long pass from DeCroix, this one for 59 yards, to score for a third time. The attempt to run the ball for a two-point conversion was a failure. But Troy Studebaker added a safety for Riverbank in the same quarter as the ball went loose in the Orestimba end zone.

Running back Ben DeYoung notched up the final points for the Bruins with a five-yard rush near the game's end. The Ross kick was successful.

"We were very focused, showed a lot of energy. We are getting better every game. The kids had a great night," said Elkins.

Riverbank made only one fumble, and then recovered it, he noted, while Orestimba made three and lost them all.

Statistics were overwhelmingly in Riverbank's favor. The Bruins piled up a total of 374 yards to Orestimba's 151 yards, carrying 24 times for 86 yards.

Going frequently to the air, DeCroix threw for 288 yards and completed 8 out of 11 attempts. His opponent managed only 6 completions out of 17 attempts for 91 yards.

Elkins noted that four of DeCroix's passes were for more than 50 yards. Two of the long bombs went to Mike Dougherty, who made four catches for 160 yards. The other two hit Blount for 116 yards and two touchdowns. Blount also made 50 yards on the ground in rushing.

Among Bruin backs, Tory McCuistion drew praise for 11 tackles.

"He's a junior, very effective, very disciplined, a good student and a great kid," said Elkins said of the inside linebacker.