Riverdale Country School Game Report

Saturday, October 18 at Hackley (2:00 P.M.)

    It was “Homecoming Day” and the Hackley faithful were hoping for a Hornet victory. Hackley won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball to open the game. The Hornets were hoping to get off to a quick start, however, its first possession was ended by an interception and Riverdale Country School's offensive unit was in business. Mirroring the start of so many games this season, the opposition managed a score on its first possession. The extra point failed, so the Hornets trailed only 6-0. On their second possession, the Hornets fumbled. Yet, as it also has done so many times this season, the Hornet defense stiffened in the Red-Zone. On fourth and one at the Hackley 11-yard line, Riverdale opted to make it a two possession game by kicking a short a field-goal, but it failed and the Hornets were still only down by six. The Hornets next offensive series ended with another fumble, which gave possession right back to the Falcons. Again the Hornet defense refused to allow another touchdown, and a second Falcon field-goal attempt fell short. Without being able to generate any offense, the Hornets went into half time trailing by only six.

    The second half did not fare well for Hackley. The offense was neither able to establish a ground game, nor collect first downs. As a result, the over worked defense gradually began to break down. Riverdale threw an overhand lateral to the far sideline, which the Hackley defensive backs might have interpreted as a flanker screen. The secondary rushed to the ball, but the flanker threw a long pass down field to a wide-open receiver, who raced freely to the end zone. The stunned Hackley defense could not regroup in time to stop the two-point conversion, so they trailed 14-0. This trick play seemed to unravel the Hornets, and RCS scored again on its next possession. Trailing 21-0 the Hornet offense finally began to play with a sense of urgency. After rushing for a pair of first downs, the way was paved to open up the offense. A 20-yard Brandon Stoller to Dan DelMoro touchdown pass got the Hornets back into it. The extra point conversion sailed wide left, so the Hornets trailed 21-6. The defense was looking to get the ball back for the offense, but the Falcon offense had other plans. Instead of trying to chew up the clock on the ground, it went over the top, and a long catch and run put the game out of reach at 28-6. With little time left, Hornet subs got some valuable game time experience to close it out.

 

Coach Pick Gives His Take Coach Negron Breaks It Down Coach Pick Talks to the Press

            There are only two games remaining, the next one is against Wright Tech in Connecticut. This game will be played at Boyle Stadium. Start time is 7:30 P.M. This is our first and only night game of the season, so let's brighten things up with a good turnout. Wins have avoided us so far, so be sure not to miss this one.                                                                                       Let's Go Hornets!

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