Riverview defense forces 5 turnovers in shutout vs. Springdale

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, October 12, 2018 | 11:51 PM

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Rivalry games always bring out the best in teams.

Riverview coach Todd Massack made the game plan simple Friday night against Springdale: run the ball with authority.

The Raiders did just that in an 18-0 Class A Eastern Conference win at Veterans Memorial Field.

Riverview senior running back Devon Binz plowed his way to 127 yards on 26 carries.

“We wanted to pound the ball, and at times we did, and other times we struggled a bit,” Massack said. “Devon always does a good job, and J.D. (Sykes) does a great job for us. They’re always hard runners.”

Riverview (2-5, 1-4) started fast by scoring touchdowns on their first two drives. After a Springdale (1-6, 0-4) turnover on downs on its first drive, Riverview took over at its 39. Five plays later, Sykes, a senior running back, scored on a 3-yard run to make it 6-0.

On the ensuing drive, Riverview’s defense recorded the first of five turnovers as it recovered a fumble at the Springdale 15. Riverview senior quarterback Jared Massack capped off that drive by scoring on a sneak from the 1 to increase the lead to 12-0.

The biggest of the five turnovers came in the third quarter. With Springdale facing second-and-9 from their 4, senior Nick Palmiere intercepted a screen pass and ran it in from 3 yards to give Riverview an 18-0 lead.

The Springdale offense was stifled all game but did have an opportunity to get back into the game late in the third quarter.

They started a drive at their 45 and reached the Riverview 19. Facing a fourth-and-17 from the Riverview 26, a pass by senior quarterback Josh Jones fell incomplete.

“We’re making too many mistakes, too many turnovers, and that was the difference in this game,” Springdale coach Seth Napierkowski said. “I thought we played well enough defensively to win this game. We gave them a pick-six, and they had another short field on the fumble. It was mistakes we made offensively that turned into points for them. I thought our defense played well.”

The Dynamos were without their leading rusher in junior Christian Vokes, who got injured last week.

“He was making progress, just not enough to where we felt comfortable putting him out there without risking more serious injury,” Napierkowski said. “It’s tough anytime you lose a guy like that.”

Sophomore Demitri Fritch recorded five catches for 33 yards for Springdale.

D.J. Vasil is a freelance writer.

Tags: Riverview, Springdale