For the first time in four years, the Riverside Bulldogs defeated rival AHSTW, earning a 32-21 road victory in Avoca Friday night. Although the run game was the driving force behind the Bulldog offense, it was the passing game that helped them cash in as Landyn Schoenrock threw two passing touchdowns to Cole Jeppesen. In addition to a pair of Jaxon Gordon touchdowns and a few timely plays from the defense, the Bulldogs walked out of Avoca with a rivalry win and a 2-1 record.

The Vikings elected to take the ball first and, due to Riverside’s pooch kick tactics, started the game with great field position. However, on their first play for scrimmage, Jeppesen nabbed the first of two interceptions for the Bulldogs. Despite the turnover penalties that derailed the drive before it started and the Bulldogs were forced to punt. AHSTW cashed in to open up the scoring as Gatlin Gettler put the Vikings on the board. Riverside responded on the next drive, marching 82 yards, capped off by a Jeppesen rushing touchdown. A low snap (one of many on both sides) on a Vikings punt set up the Bulldogs to take the lead, and they would do so as Gordon got on the board to give Riverside a five-point lead.

Over the course of the next four drives, the teams traded touchdowns. Gettler gave AHSTW the lead back with a 15-yard touchdown run for his second score of the game to cap a 51-yard drive. While late in the second quarter, the Bulldogs cashed in on great field position. Backed up in their own territory, the Vikings were forced to punt, but a low snap and a bobbled ball left little room to get the ball away, turning it over on downs. Although a flag backed up the bulldogs, Schoenrock hit Jeppesen from 24 yards to put Riverside up 20-14. AHSTW had time left to answer back, and after a big passing play to Collin Harder, seemed poised to do so. However, two post-whistle penalties on the same play backed them up 30 yards, effectively ending the half.

Up 20-14, AHSTW’s defense would stunt the Bulldogs, forcing a turnover on downs. However, Riverside returned the favor and from this point on, controlled the rest of the game. Jeppesen added his second receiving touchdown on a 55-yard catch and run. Kort Rieken picked up an interception, and although unable to score on that drive, Gordon added his second of the night following a fumbled snap to put Riverside up 32-14.

AHSTW never folded. On the ensuing drive, the Vikings marched down the field, and after a pass interference penalty on fourth down, AHSTW took full advantage on a 1-yard Harder touchdown run. Set on running out the clock, the Bulldogs took five-plus minutes off the clock to bring it down to 1:52 to go in the fourth. However, another low snap gave AHSTW life. Although the drive started well for the Vikings, Wyatt Bell came through with a sack to all but seal the Vikings’ fate. Both sides showed potential and lots of room for improvement. However, it was Riverside’s stretch in the third quarter that separated them in this ballgame. Head coach Darell Frain shared what it meant to finally get a win over a long-time rival.

Jeppesen had the most dynamic night, finishing with a pair of receiving touchdowns, a rushing touchdown, and an interception. Frain said putting the ball in his hands was always part of the plan.

Another big part of the win was the leadership from the quarterback position.

Although Frain was impressed by the way his team played, he knows that the Bulldogs have to keep their eyes forward.

Riverside will take their 2-1 record to Southwest Valley to take on the Timberwolves, while now 1-2 AHSTW will head to Nodaway Valley. Both games are scheduled to kickoff at 7 pm.