(North Sewickley, Pa)

When the Riverside Panthers played host to the Freedom Bulldogs on Friday evening. Late turnovers proved to be costly in an otherwise good match up in the Midwestern Conference.

On their opening drive, the Panthers drove the distance of the field and scored on a one yard touchdown run by Senior Hunter Garcia giving Riverside a 7-0 lead. That was the score until mid second quarter when Freedom Junior Kaden Bailey intercepted a momentum changing pass by Aidan Gaydosz. A few plays later Bailey punched it into the end zone on a five yard carry tying the game up at 7-7. With under a minute remaining in the first half and the game knotted up at 7, it was Hunter Garcia again for Riverside. This time on the receiving end of a 49 yard touchdown pass from Gaydosz. Giving the Panthers a 14-7 at the break.

Only a touchdown and an extra point separated these two teams. Until midway through the third quarter when Aidan Gaydosz found some space from a yard out and gave Riverside a 21-7 lead on a 1 yard touchdown run. In the final frame it was all Riverside, Gaydosz lead another scoring drive when he found Hunter Garcia for a 15 yard touchdown reception putting his team up 28-7. Freedoms ensuing drive was cut short when Riverside Senior Evan Skinner intercepted a pass, giving the ball back to his offense with a three touchdown advantage. Aidan Gaydosz found the end zone one more time on a run. Putting his team up 35-7. Josiah Sims would tack on a late safety for the Panthers making the score 37-7. That would be the final score at Riverside High School when the scoreboard clock read all zeros.

The Bulldogs fell to 1-2, 3-3. They’ll head home to host Union next Friday. While the Panthers improved to 2-1, 3-3 and will hit the road to face Ellwood City.