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.

Des Moines Christian made some key plays in the second half and limited the Atlantic offense to grab a 17-9 win on Friday night at the Trojan Bowl. Davis Tokheim’s 43-yard touchdown run with 9:32 left proved to be the clincher for the Lions.

Des Moines Christian came in the 5th ranked team in Class 3A and opened the game with a 12-play touchdown drive. Quarterback Max Town capped it off with a one-yard touchdown run to put the Lions up 7-0. Atlantic thought they went three and out on their first possession but a Lions mistake on special teams kept the possession alive. The punt hit the Lions return man and Atlantic recovered. 13-plays later the Trojans got a 3-yard touchdown run from Gavin McLaren. The point after was just wide keeping it 7-6.

Later in the second quarter Atlantic failed to cash in on an 8-play drive when a 20-yard field goal attempt was blocked. The Lions then executed a nice end of the half drive to get a 33-yard field goal from Andrew Clement to make it 10-6 at half.

Tokheim’s long run and a Zander Killion 42-yard field goal for Atlantic were the only points scored in the second half. Killion’s field goal with 5:07 left gave Atlantic a chance. The defense got the ball back for the Trojans with 2:56 left but the Lions got some pressure on the second play of the drive and grabbed an interception to seal the win.

Atlantic Head Coach Joe Brummer said the Trojans just couldn’t find the consistency they need on offense.

The Trojans drop to 1-2 and will have a long road trip to Storm Lake next week. Des Moines Christian improved to 3-0 and will return home to face Creston next week.

Catch the full postgame interview with Coach Brummer below.

Iowa State coach Matt Campbell expects to face a motivated Arkansas State team when the 14th ranked Cyclones visit the Red Wolves on Saturday. It is rare for a group of five team to host a team from a power four conference and two years ago in a similar situation the Cyclones lost at Ohio.

Arkansas State quarterback Jaylon Raynor has four touchdown passes in two games and is also a running threat.

The kickoff temperature in Jonesboro on Saturday is expected to be in the mid 90s but Campbell says the Cyclones are prepared.

Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz says the first goal for the Hawkeyes is to win. They close out non conference play Saturday night at home against UMass and are still looking for some kind of passing game that has been non-existent the first two weeks.

Ferentz wants to see improvement in all areas of the pass game.

First year UMass coach Joe Harasymiak is a former defensive coordinator at Minnesota and Rutgers so Ferentz says they have an idea what they will be going up against.

Sergeant Bluff-Luton – 6 vs Kuemper Catholic – 3

Kuemper Catholic winners: Charlotte Schwabe, Meredith Sturm/Mirabel Abrahem (doubles)

Clarke – 8 vs Southwest Valley – 1

SWV winner: Sidney Crill

Coming off a win at Denison-Schleswig a week ago, the Atlantic Trojans return home to face the number five team in 3A in Des Moines Christian. The Lions are riding high after wins against Van Meter (defending state champions) and Roland-Story. Head coach Joe Brummer, complimented what Des Moines Christian has done and says it is the reason they are on the schedule.

For the Trojans, improving on last week’s performance, especially in the run game, is crucial. Although Ethan McNeal ran for 119 yards against the Monarchs, there is still fine tuning to be done, especially when it comes to blocking.

Defensively, the Trojans will be going up against an offense that is physical and has numerous weapons. Three Lions have over 20 carries including senior quarterback Max Town and junior running back Davis Tokheim who leads the team with 233 yards.

Ultimately, the Trojans are going to have to be technically sound if they are going to come away with a win, especially in the trenches.

Kickoff is scheduled from 7 pm and you can catch all the action on KJANTV with coverage beginning at 6:30 pm.

Hawkeye Ten Conference 

Red Oak – 3 vs Glenwood – 0

Lewis Central – 3 vs Harlan – 0

Western Iowa Conference 

Riverside – 3 vs AHSTW – 0

Tri-Center – 3 vs Audubon – 1

Underwood – 3 vs IKM-Manning – 1

Treynor – 3 vs Logan-Magnolia – 0

Rolling Valley Conference 

Coon Rapids-Bayard – 3 vs Exira-EHK – 0

Boyer Valley – 3 vs Ar-We-Va – 0

Glidden-Ralston – 3 vs Paton-Churdan – 0

West Central Activities Conference 

ACGC – 3 vs Panorama – 0

Non-Conference 

Atlantic – 2 vs Griswold – 0

Atlantic – 2 vs CAM – 0

CAM – 2 vs Griswold – 0

Pella Christian – 2 vs Creston – 0

Woodward-Granger – 2 vs Creston – 1

St. Albert – 3 vs Fremont-Mills – 2

Mount Ayr – 2 Pleasantville – 0

Mount Ayr – 2 vs Clarke – 0

Pleasantville – 2 vs Clarke – 1

Perry Invitational

Earlham – 2Nodaway Valley – 0

South Hamilton defeats Nodaway Valley

South Hamilton – 2 vs Earlham – 1

Ogden – 2 vs Perry – 0

Ogden – 2 vs Des Moines East – 1

Nodaway Valley – 2 vs Perry – 1

Earlham – 2 vs Ogden – 1

Earlham – 2 vs South Hamilton – 1 (Championship)

The AHSTW Vikings are set to host the Riverside Bulldogs Friday after an impressive 54-13 road victory at Red Oak last week. Head Coach Davis Pattee said he saw a major improvement from week one to week two, and his team has shown no signs of slowing down.

AHSTW has taken 11 of the last 13 from Riverside including four consecutive victories. Despite the recent success for the Vikings, they anticipate the Bulldogs will bring energy in what both teams believe is a rivalry.

AHSTW is led by Sophomore Quarterback Dayton Osbahr who has thrown 283 yards and three touchdown passes. Pattee says it is hard to believe Osbahr is an underclassman based on his maturity level.

Seniors Drew Lee and Collin Harder are the key playmakers for the Vikings with four touchdowns combined. Pattee says they are some of the best all-around athletes he has coached on and off the field.

AHSTW believes Riverside has a very diverse playbook which has required them to be prepared for anything and everything.

Pattee believes it’s going to be a battle from start to finish.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 pm in Avoca and you can catch all the action on KJAN with the coverage starting at 6:30 pm