Photograph/LAUREN FLORENCE
RIVER quarterback Kabel Isaly runs by means of a giant gap within the Caldwell protection throughout the first half of Saturday’s Division VII, Area 27 playoff sport at St. Clairsville’s Purple Satan Stadium. River rolled to a 42-6 win.
ST. CLAIRSVILLE – The final message the River soccer crew hears from its head coach, Mike Flannery, is to begin quick and set the tone.
That message clearly resonated with the Pilots Saturday night time at Purple Satan Stadium.
River received the coin toss, opted to obtain and 5 performs later it had formally set the tone with a 2-yard landing plunge from senior Brody Lollathin. The Pilots by no means appeared again and had been by no means actually challenged en path to a convincing 42-6 win towards Caldwell in a Division VII, Area 27 semifinal.
“We obtained off to an ideal begin (offensively), our protection got here up with some interceptions and we actually performed complementary soccer your entire sport,” River head coach Mike Flannery stated. “It’s thrilling to have the ability to advance and we all know we’ve a giant problem in entrance of us, however we’re trying ahead to what’s forward.”
Subsequent up for the Pilots is a date with top-seeded Newark Catholic with a berth within the Division VII state semifinal on the road. The positioning of that sport might be introduced later immediately.
“We all know we’ll be the underdogs, taking part in towards a program with such a storied custom,” Flannery stated. “However, we’ve custom at River Excessive Faculty, too. You’ll be able to’t ask for anything, proper.”
Earlier than the Pilots might shift full focus to the Inexperienced Wave, they needed to maintain the Redskins. Truly, they did so moderately rapidly. River constructed a 28-0 lead at halftime because of a balanced offense and a protection that bent at instances, however didn’t break and got here up with a few key interceptions.
“We adjusted nicely as a result of (Caldwell) was placing 10 individuals within the field and simply daring us to throw,” Flannery stated. “We clicked on a few issues. We adjusted to what they had been giving us after which as soon as we obtained up, we knew we’d be okay and we simply labored the clock.”
Even with the Redskins, who end the season at 11-2, stacking the field to remove the Pilots working assault, River nonetheless discovered its method to 231 yards on the bottom. Because it’s executed all season, River threw the ball successfully and effectively, too. Junior quarterback Kabel Isaly was solely known as upon to throw the ball six instances, however he accomplished 4 for 139 yards and three went for touchdowns.
It was within the second quarter when the Pilots blew the sport open. Forward 7-0 on the aforementioned Lollathin landing, River capped an 80-yard drive with a 2-yard run by Kaden Johnson. Max Castro, who was good on all six of his PAT tries, drilled the purpose after.
After the Pilot protection held on downs, River took over by itself 35 and wanted only one play. Isaly and Lollathin attached on a 65-yard landing that was completely thrown by Isaly.
Isaly then obtained concerned defensively when he picked off a Cale Bender move and returned it 25 yards to the Redskins 44. 5 performs later, Isaly and senior River Thompson attached on a 12-yard landing with simply 37 seconds to go within the half.
“We wished Caldwell on movie they usually have lots of children and did lots of issues that involved me, however our protection answered the decision,” Flannery stated. “We gave up the one rating, however that’s going to occur. We bent, however didn’t break. That’s a credit score to our youngsters and coaches. I’m actually pleased with our protection.”
The Redskins, who completed with 291 yards of whole offense, scored on their first possession of the second half when Bender discovered senior Braxton Dudley on a 5-yard landing move.
River didn’t flinch. The Pilots tacked on their closing two touchdowns within the fourth and the ultimate eight minutes had been taking part in with a working clock. Johnson added a 1-yard run and Isaly discovered Lollathin for the second time on a 22-yard landing.
Lollathin, who was named the Jap District’s Co-Offensive Participant of the Yr in Division VII, accounted for 174 yards of offense. He caught three balls for 127 and rushed 3 times for 47. He additionally had an interception.
Caldwell’s Marshall Sayre had 122 yards on 20 carries. Bender accomplished simply 7 of 17 passes for 60 yards.
Division VII
Area 27 Semifinal
(at St. Clairsville)
River 42, Caldwell 6
Caldwell 0 0 6 0 – 6
River 7 21 0 14 – 42
R – Lollathin 2 run (Castro kick).
R – Johnson 2 run (Castro kick).
R – Lollathin 65 move from Isaly (Castro kick).
R – Thompson 12 move from Isaly (Castro kick).
C – Dudley 5 move from Bender (kick failed).
R – Johnson 1 run (Castro kick).
R — Lollathin 22 move from Isaly (Castro kick).
Dashing: Caldwell, 42-231 (Bender, 16-84; Sayre, 20-122; Devolld, 5-28; Herlen, 1-(-3)). River, 32-231-3td (Isaly, 10-64; Lollathin, 3-47-td; Lengthy, 4-26; Bowers, 9-64; Johnson, 5-30-2td).
Passing: Caldwell, 7-17-60-1td-3x (All by Bender); River, 4-6-139-3td (All by Isaly).
Receiving: Caldwell, 7-60-td (Devolld, 2-16; Herlen, 1-12; Crock, 2-19; Dudley, 2-13-td). River, 4-139-3td (Lollathin, 3-127-2td; Thompson, 1-12-td).
First Downs: Caldwell, 15; River, 15.
Fumbles: Caldwell, 0-0; River, 0-0
Penalties: Caldwell, 7-72; River, 4-45.
