Both senior boy and girl athletes were recognized at their final home games of the fall sports season last week.
Girls volleyball and varsity football hosted Trans-Valley League opponents; volleyball introduced its seniors and their families prior to the start of their game while, at Angelo Novi Field on Friday night, the senior football players and cheerleaders were recognized. A little bit of information, including future plans, was read about each one as they and family members accompanying them were saluted by the Bruin fans in the stands.
Bruin Football
Three touchdowns by visiting Escalon in the first quarter and four more in the second staked the Cougars to a huge 48-0 halftime advantage, their only miscue a missed extra point. The final score in the Trans-Valley League contest was 51-0, as the host Bruins were shut out. Riverbank was not able to get much going offensively and Escalon seemed adept at turning each play into a big gain, never having to punt the ball away. After recognition of the Riverbank senior players and cheerleaders at halftime, the game went to a running clock for second half play. The only scoring in the third and fourth quarters was a 59-yard field goal by Escalon. The Bruins did successfully draw their opponents offside multiple times but could not take advantage of the penalty yardage. A bright spot in the contest was an interception by junior Armando Guzman but, again, it did not lead to any points for the home team.
Lady Bruin Volleyball
Girls volleyball handled two games last week, at home against Livingston on Tuesday, Oct. 12, and on the road at Hilmar last Thursday, Oct. 14.
Prior to the Livingston game, the last home game of the season, the Lady Bruins recognized their seniors and families, leading to a question not often faced by a coach.
Riverbank honored eleven of its seniors, the entire team, all to be graduating next spring. Next season, obviously will be one of rebuilding for coach John Bartlett.
The second game of the match saw a heightened level of excitement. Volleyball games have their final scores be 25, but the margin must also be two points more than the opponent.
The Lady Bruins in this game were the first to reach 24 points, with the outcome seeming to be in the bag. However, the Lady Wolves of Livingston fought back, tying the game. A one-point lead bounced back and forth between teams, but ultimately the visitors prevailed, 29-27.
The other scores were 25-6 in the first frame and 25-12 in the last, with Riverbank falling 3-0 in TVL action.
Thursday, the girls traveled to Hilmar, where they were stung by the Lady Yellowjackets, 3-0, as well.
Co-Ed Cross Country
Riverbank runners are preparing for the third and final TVL meet, to be held here at Jacob Myers Park on Wednesday, Oct. 27.
Girls Golf
Lady Bruin linksters are involved in season-end activities. The Valley-Foothill League Year End Tournament was scheduled on Monday, Oct. 18, with Division V Sections set for Monday, Oct. 25, and the Masters Tournament coming on Monday, Nov. 1.
Riverbank News Editor Marg Jackson contributed to this report.