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Bruin Gridders Scalp Redskins, 37-26
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The Bruins bounced back from a Homecoming loss to scalp the Redskins by 37-26 at Gustine's own Homecoming on Friday.

Riverbank varsity running back Jon Blount carried the football for three touchdowns. Fellow back Ben DeYoung added two more TDs to give the Bruins a comfortable win.

The bruins played very well and dominated the game, said their coach, Matt Elkins. They were ahead, 30-7, going into the fourth quarter in which the Redskins won two onside kicks and piled up 17 unanswered points.

'We're back in the playoff hunt. The kids are very excited," said Elkins. " We've played there two years in a row and we want a third go. But we've got to win out next two games, against Denair and Delhi, to make the playoffs."

Riverbank kicked off the game against Gustine and the Redskins put the first points on the board. Then Blount replied with his first scoring run, going all of 85 yards for touchdown.

DeYoung also had a 25-yard touchdown run. Each of them piled up 100 yards running.

"Blount played with an injured ankle," Elkins noted. "He couldn't practice all week. But we taped it up for the game."

Riverbank's kicking improved over previous efforts through the loan of Antonio Vigil from the soccer team. Vigil put three out of four attempts for an extra point squarely between the uprights and added a 37-yard field goal.

"We were in control of the game right into the fourth quarter when we went to a preventive defense to get them to run the ball," said Elkins.

Making few mistakes themselves, the Bruins caused five turnovers and four fumbles and incurred only one interception.

Quarterback Daniel DeCroix completed eight out of 12 throws for a total of more than 100 yards.

Wide receiver Mike Dougherty made six catches for 82 yards.

The offensive line did a great job at blocking and opening holes for the backs, said Elkins.

Riverbank amassed more than 350 yards in total offense. Gustine managed approximately 280 yards but was hurt by turnovers.

Elkins has described Gustine as a hostile environment. Riverbank reached the playoffs a couple of years ago only to lose to the Redskins in Gustine That made it doubly satisfying to defeat them in this game at their own Homecoming.

For their next Friday night game, Riverbank will go against Denair, again on the road.

Powerful Central Catholic pounded Denair 82-0 on Friday and Denair, with a 2-5 record, is out of the playoffs

"But they are better than their record indicates,"' said Elkins. "They are an average team. We will need to execute properly and play up to our potential."