(North Sewickley, Pa.)
On the last Friday night in September, the Riverside Panthers football team hosted the Western Beaver Golden Beavers in a AA conference battle. In the rain, the Golden Beavers brought their 2-0 (3-1) record while the Panthers were looking to stay undefeated in the conference 1-0 (3-2) as well.
Western Beaver didn’t take any time getting on the board to start the game. On the first drive, it was Braden Mayo on a 8 yard tote to give the Golden Beavers an early 7-0 lead. Later in the first quarter Chris Kirkland picked off Ayden Garcia and returned the ball into Riverside territory. That allowed Western Beaver to carry the momentum over into the second quarter. Which began with a 1 yard touchdown run by Wyatt Sparbanie. Giving Western Beaver a 14-0 lead. Late in the half Riverside turned the ball over on downs putting the Golden Beavers in good field position. Braden Mayo took advantage and punched it in from 1 yard out to give Western Beaver a 21-0 lead with 30 seconds left until halftime.
A couple interceptions in the third quarter by Western Beaver set the tone for the second half. The first by Nate Vula near midfield and later another one by Chris Kirkland deep in their own end. Western Beaver got called for intentional grounding in their own end zone resulting in a safety, putting the Panthers on the board 21-2. On the following drive Riverside took the ball deep into Golden Beaver territory only to turn the ball over on downs inside Western Beaver’s five yard line. As the game started to wind down Chris Kirkland grabbed his third interception of the evening for Western Beaver. The Panthers scored a late touchdown pass of 15 yards from Ayden Garcia to Joe Chill, along with a successful two point conversion made the score 21-10. That was the final from Riverside High School.
Western Beaver improved their record to (3-0) 4-1 overall and will host conference foe Ellwood City next Saturday at 12:30pm. While the Riverside Panthers dropped to (1-1) 3-3 and will have next week off. They will host Ellwood City on Friday Oct. 11.