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Junior Bruins Host Modesto But Fall In Sweep
John Wallace
Riverbank Junior Bruin quarterback John Wallace, 5, looks to avoid a tackle in Saturdays youth football varsity game against the Central Valley Jets of Modesto. The team had a hard time in the first half, with the defense spending most of the clock time on the field. Riverbank was down 12-0 at the end of the first half. Ric McGinnis/The News

The Riverbank Youth Football organization known as the Junior Bruins, got a surprise schedule change last weekend, hosting the Central Valley Jets of Modesto instead of playing a set of away games.

The Saturday games were played at Angelo Novi Stadium on the RHS campus, beginning at 9 a.m. with the Futures game, the 5- and 6-year-olds. The varsity game, with 13- and 14-year old players, began before 4 p.m.

Unfortunately for the gridiron youngsters, the home field did not afford them much of an advantage, as all teams lost to the visiting Jets.

The Futures fell by a final of 26-0; the Starts were also shut out, 38-0.

At the Rookie level, the final was 33-8 in favor of the Jets and for the JV contest, the visitors won in a shutout, blanking the Junior Bruins, 38-0.

The varsity Junior Bruins had a hard time in the first half, necessitating the defense remaining on the field for most of the time. At the half, the score was 12-0 in favor of the Jets. The Riverbank squad did battle back and make it a close game, with the Jets ultimately completing the sweep with a hard fought 25-19 victory.

This week, Riverbank is scheduled to play on Saturday, Oct. 14, at Gregori High School, against the Salida Steeler Jags.

The remaining schedule calls for the final Riverbank home game to be against the Central Valley Jets on Saturday, Oct. 21, before ending the Jr. Bruin season on the road at Lodi against the Flames on Oct. 28.