By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Varsity Gridders Leave Delhi In The Mud
Placeholder Image
Except for handling a slippery ball on a wet and muddy field, Riverbank gridders had few problems in defeating Delhi in tge Friday, Nov. 5, varsity football game.

Scoring steadily, the Bruins built a 26-0 lead by halftime, eased the pressure a little in the second half, but still added a field goal and won 29-12.

Quarterback Daniel DeCroix rushed five yards for the first touchdown in the first quarter. Antonio Vigil's kick was successful.

In the second quarter, Mike Dougherty grabbed a 25-yard pass from DeCroix. Jon Blount ran for 22 yards, then rambled again for eight yards for three more touchdowns.

Vigil went one for three in his kicking conversion efforts for the second quarter touchdowns. He hit a 42-yard field goal, however, in the closing quarter.

"It was very muddy. We had to execute. We played well in the first half but didn't do so well later," said Riverbank coach Matt Elkins

But leading 26-0 by halftime, Riverbank wasn't that concerned and was able to send its reserves onto the field to get some experience in the second half.

"The defense just has to go out there and run and find the football," said Elkins. "In offense, it's more difficult because you have specific assignments like a block."

Riverbank basically let Delhi come back and make some points in return for the chance to exercise its second stringers.

It will be a different story against Central Catholic on Friday, Nov. 12, Elkins predicted.

"We will have to execute perfectly against Central. To win, we've got to play the best game ever," he said. "But we revel in being the underdog. Generally we play a great opening quarter and then the wheels fall off."

Central is playing an independent schedule and is no longer a contender in the league. So this will be a non-league game.

Riverbank thus far has finished league play with a 6-2 record, and can look forward to the playoffs after the Central game.

"We lost to Modesto Christian by seven points and to Mariposa by seven points," said Elkins. "That's when both Blount and DeYoung were out of action. We really can't do much without them. We don't have the depth."

Statistics for the Delhi game show Riverbank amassed 330 yards in total offense to Delhi's 190. The Bruins rushed for 229 yards and passed for 101 with seven completions out of nine attempts. Delhi passed for 90 yards with six out of 16 successful attempts.

The schedule and pairings for the playoffs won't be known until Friday, but Riverbank may be facing either Brookshire or Central in the first round.