Riverside can’t fend off York in first-round exit

Despite battling hard, York’s run game and stout defense proved too tough a challenge for Riverside to overcome.

Riverside kept it competitive against a heavily favored York team on Friday night, but the Warriors ultimately succumbed to the stout Cougar defense in a 26-17 defeat.

The loss bounced Riverside from the Class 4-A playoffs in the first round. They finished the season with a 5-6 overall record.

“For the most part, we’re a very pass-heavy team, and York did a good job keeping things in front of them,” said Riverside head coach Matt Rochester. “That called on us to run the ball, and I thought our running backs and offensive line answered the call. But we got down into the red zone a couple times and just couldn’t punch it in. That hurt us late.”

The Warriors got on the board first thanks to a Mikkel Skinner eight-yard touchdown run, but any momentum Riverside had was shut down when York returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. Both defenses hung in, but the Cougars took a 10-yard run into the end zone just before the half to take a 13-7 lead into the break.

They’d find the end zone on the ground again to begin the third quarter, making the score 19-7 before Riverside running back Alvin Martin found paydirt from 16 yards out, tightening the game at 19-14.

A Joshua Clarke 32-yard field goal brought Riverside even closer at the start of the fourth, but York’s potent run game again proved too much for Riverside to handle. The Cougars sealed the win with their third rushing score late in the game.

“They used their skill position players well, and they got in the wildcat formation a lot to beat us,” said Rochester. “York had a great plan on offense coming in.

“I did think Mikkel Skinner and Jaiden ‘Speedy’ Taylor were two guys that played well for us on offense when we were able to get the ball in their hands. Defensively, Jack Merriman played really well for us at linebacker. He’s been flying all over the field. John Miedreich at linebacker, too.”

Despite the early playoff exit, Rochester is proud of the strides his team made this season. The Warriors finished second in their region and hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2009.

“This team has a lot to be proud of. I’m proud of them. These guys stayed gritty and tough throughout the season,” said Rochester. “I think when I first got here, some of these close losses
would’ve crippled us. But we didn’t let that happen. We were able to fight back and get some good wins to finish out the year.

“I’m proud of what this group was able to accomplish this season.”