The good news? Victory.
The bad news? It was on the road.
The Riverbank High School varsity football Bruins achieved their first win since 2014, which also was on the road, in Livermore. Since they were playing in Roseville this past week, against Western Sierra Collegiate Academy, located in Rocklin, hometown fans weren’t able to turn out in full force to cheer them on or celebrate their victory.
Head coach Kit Jory, in his second season in Riverbank, said the team is building on a good foundation from last year.
He pointed out that senior quarterback Jalen Spikes threw for more than 400 yards, including four touchdowns, posting the 35-7 win.
Three of those TDs came from junior wide receiver Allen Brown, who rushed for 150 yards overall, scoring two times receiving and once rushing. On defense, Jory said, Brown had 15 tackles.
Carlos Villapudua accounted for two TDs and kicked three PATs. On defense, he racked up seven tackles and picked off one pass, the coach said.
The Bruin offense was able to score at least once in each of all four quarters.
Defensively, Jory pointed to sacks be made by William Carson, Nic Certuche, and Eduardo Florez, along with two forced fumbles. He said Carlos Gonzalez Jr. made a sack for a safety.
Jose Barajas and Issac Aguilera also grabbed interceptions, the coach said.
Noting the varsity team has made headway compared to recent years, Coach Jory said the Bruins are not done. He said “a season of building a foundation and installing a progressive offense is taking shape. For the first time in a long time the Bruins can say they are 1-0.”
The coach said they were getting back to work on Monday, looking forward to this Friday’s home opener against the Bullfrogs of Bret Harte High School, visiting from Angels Camp.
JV game time is set for 5:30 p.m. at Angelo Novi Stadium on the RHS campus. The varsity game is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. There was no JV game last week, since Western Sierra didn’t field a team.
Volleyball Starts For Lady Bruins
Riverbank’s varsity girls volleyball team was also on the road last weekend, participating in the Orestimba Tournament in Newman on Saturday, the team’s traditional warm-up series.
Coach Angela Cuellar reported the team took third in pearl division, “playing Turlock Christian, Waterford, El Dorado. Then we played Ripon Christian to go to the championship, then lost.”
She said everyone played well.
“Standouts would be Maria Quintero, my setter, and Lily (libero) for hard work.”
Monday, Aug. 29 the Lady Bruins were scheduled to host the Ceres Lady Bulldogs in the Foundation Game.
Both varsity and JV teams were slated to hit the court the next day, Aug. 30, hosting the Amador Lady Buffaloes from Sutter Creek.
Thursday, the teams travel to Stockton to play Venture Academy, then host Big Valley Christian on Tuesday, Sept. 6, and take on Liberty Ranch next Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Girls Golf Takes Off
The Riverbank Lady Golfers had a busy time beginning the season last week and this.
They hosted three straight days of links action on their Escalon home course, hosting Sonora, Tracy and Bret Harte last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, then hosted Hughson yesterday.
They won’t be home again until Thursday, Sept. 15, when they host Gustine.
Riverbank Cross Country
The Bruin Cross Country team traveled to the Lodi Flame Invitational on Friday, Aug. 26, and runners are planning on competing in the first Trans-Valley League meet at Tuolumne Park in Modesto on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
