Riverside downed by J.L. Mann, 42-14

Riverside struggled to keep up with a high-powered J.L. Mann offensive attack, allowing the Patriots to score on each of their first three possessions of the game.

Riverside’s defense was overwhelmed by J.L. Mann’s high-flying offensive attack on Friday night at Mann’s Slaton Field, as the Patriots outlasted the Warriors, 42-14.

“We just didn’t prepare for a lot of different things they did,” said Riverside head coach Matt Rochester. “We’re going to watch the tape and get better this week. We can’t let this game beat us twice.”

The first quarter of Friday’s game was nothing short of spectacular. Patriots running back Obadiah Jones scored on a three-yard touchdown run to give J.L. Mann a 7-0 lead early in the frame. On the next Mann drive, the Patriots busted out a trick play — a double end-around that resulted in the ball being back in quarterback Ethan Anderson’s hands.

Anderson found a wide-open Mikel McClellan in the end zone for a 53-yard score, giving the Patriots a 14-0 lead early.

“We knew going into the game that they had a really good quarterback,” said Rochester. “He flings it around a good bit.”

The Warriors had trouble stopping dynamic wide receiver Mikel McClellan all game long. The senior athlete went on to collect seven receptions for 187 yards, 53 rushing yards, and two touchdowns.

“Mikel’s a great athlete. He’s kind of a Swiss army knife for them,” said Rochester. “He does a little bit of everything for them.”

The Warriors fought their way back into the game with deep touchdown passes from quarterback Ty Breeze to receivers Mikey Williams and Speedy Taylor. After a back-and-forth affair in the first, Mann led 21-14.

Unfortunately, the Warriors weren’t able to get on the board for the rest of the game. Mann blew the contest open at the end of the third quarter with two straight touchdowns before ultimately winning by the final margin.

“We got sloppy. When they were able to hit that trick play, that was tough,” said Riverside defensive back Quinton Hood. “I don’t think that necessarily broke our back, but it definitely did something to our confidence as a team.”

Hood says the loss hurt the team and the guys felt it after the game, but admitted the “gut-punch” might be good for the Warriors in the long run.

“We had to get humbled a little bit,” he said. “We have to know where we are as a team at the current moment, because we know there’s a lot we can improve on. And we’re going to make the steps to do that.”

Riverside will have the chance to return to form this Friday, as the Warriors welcome 5-A Woodmont to the Reservation for the team’s first home game. Woodmont is 2-0 this season, coming off wins over Palmetto and Walhalla.

“It’s exciting to be in front of our fans at home,” said Hood. “They come out and support us whether home or on the road. I’m definitely looking forward to a good game.”

“Woodmont’s changed their offense a little bit. They still run it down your throat, but they run the spread which is different for us this year. They’ve got some athletes on the field,” said Rochester.

“It’s going to be a tough matchup. We’ve got to eliminate penalties and just be efficient, getting the ball to our playmakers in space. We need to get back to doing what we do best.”