Neither the coming Halloween bogeymen nor the specter of Friday the 13th was enough to stop Riverbank High School from scoring a victory in varsity football this past week at home against Delta High School of Clarksburg.
Although the Bruins matched the Saints touchdowns twice in the first quarter, it ended with Delta ahead 14-12 at the end of the frame after two missed PATs by the host team.
Riverbank, however, jumped ahead in the first minute of the second quarter and a two-point conversion brought the Bruins a 20-14 lead, and they never looked back from there. The half ended with RHS leading, 32-14.
The third quarter saw each team scoring once, ending with Riverbank in the lead at 38-22, but the Saints didn’t score again.
The final tally was a satisfying one for the home team, 53-22, Bruins on top.
The gridiron victory brought with it some positive stats:
Senior quarterback Matt Jones was 5-for-5 passing, totaling 184 yards. Senior running back Allen Brown even got in a pass on a ‘gadget’ play, where he received one of Jones’ passes on the right flat, then threw back across the field to Jones on the left side, who carried the ball for a 23-yard gain.
Junior Billy Williams netted four receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown, while senior David Echevarria grabbed one pass for 37 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, Brown had 12 carries for 81 yards and a TD, with sophomores Abel Holson running twice for 22 yards and a score, and DeOndrey Davis taking two carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. Williams put a cap on his big day, with five carries, 120 yards and two big touchdowns of his own on the ground.
There was no JV game.
Riverbank teams have a bye on Friday, Oct. 20, then come home to take on Big Valley Christian High School on Oct. 27. That will be their last home game, with Senior Recognition Night festivities scheduled.
They’ll close out their season with a trip to San Andreas to play Sierra Ridge/ROP on Nov. 3.
Lady Bruin Volleyball
The Riverbank volleyball teams were not as lucky with their home match against Mountain House on Tuesday, Oct. 10, with both varsity and JV losing in three games. Where the JV team won their second game, 25-20, to stretch the best-of-three match to its limit, the visiting JV Lady Mustangs won the third frame.
Then the varsity girls took the court, and although improving with each game, they lost their best-of-five match in three straight, 8-25, 18-25, 23-25.
No scores were reported for their matches in Hughson on Oct. 12.
Girls volleyball had a league bye scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 17, and is set to host Ripon High on Thursday, Oct. 19. Their last home game will be next Tuesday, with Modesto Christian coming to town, which will also be Senior Recognition Night, Oct. 24.
The Lady Bruins will also close out their season on the road, with a trip to Hilmar High School on Thursday, Oct. 26.
