The host Rams were ranked 4th and EP 9th. Riverdale played to their ranking as they dominated EP 37-6 on senior night in front of a huge crowd.
Panther coach Tyler Whitebread said before there game he was worried about controlling Riverdale’s explosiveness and it reared its ugly head numerous times in the first half.
The Panthers received the opening kickoff and after one first down two consecutive penalties moved EP back and they were forced to punt after 3 plays. The Rams took over on their own 32 and on the third play, running back Lucas Dunbar took an inside handoff and broke to the outside scoring from 40 yards out to make it 7-0.
EP took over on their own 30 and a nice 23-yard pass play was nullified by another holding penalty and the visitors had to eventually punt again to the Ram 36.
It took 2 plays this time as quarterback Abram Krier faked a handoff and raced 58 yards down the left sideline to make it 14-0 with 2:55 remaining in the first quarter.
A bad snap on third down over quarterback Evan Steimle’s head lost 20 yards for the Panthers and a nice punt return gave the Rams possession on the EP 22. The short field was covered quickly as Dunbar scored from 15 yards out making it 20-0 one minute into the second quarter.
A deep kickoff had EP starting on their 6 yard line. A couple good Steimle runs moved it to the 30 and at the time gave EP 4 first downs compared to only 1 for the Rams who took advantage of big plays. After a Panther punt, the Rams did put a short drive together and settled for a field goal making it 23-0 at halftime.
The second half was dominated by the Ram running game. After an initial first down on a Panther offsides penalty, the Rams strung 3 first downs together to move deep into Panther territory but were stopped on 4th down on the 21. After a fourth down stop on EPs 30, Riverdale controlled the ball and eventually scored on a QB keeper from the 2. The extra point made it 30-0 with 1:35 left in the third.
EP got a spark as Kaleb Thompson returned the kick45 yards to Riverdale’s 42. A nice Panther drive ended with 6. Steimle broke 2 or 3 tackles to get a first down at the 11 and then found Lane Decker on a crossing pattern in the end zone to get EP on the board at 30-6.
The Rams got one more long run for a touchdown late in the fourth to make the final 37-6.
Riverdale came into the contest averaging over 300 yards rushing and they had 317 on 39 carries against the Panthers.
EP was led by Steimle with 17-73 yards and Hovey added 5- 34. Steimle was 9-15 throwing the ball for 69 yards with Decker leading the way with 4 catches for 26 yards and one TD.
Whitebread was disappointed with the penalties and allowing big plays. “Offensively we moved the ball but penalties killed us during the first half. Defensively, we struggled getting off blocks and doing our job of containment. I’ve got to do a better job of putting our guys in a position to be successful. We executed a little better in the second half and competed until the end. Im proud of the guys for that. Hats off to Riverdale, they were the better team tonight.”
The 6-2 Panthers travel to Spring Valley Hall Friday to conclude their successful regular season.
Three Rivers Athletic Conference Scores
Princeton 57 – Hall 0
Kewanee 40 – Monmouth-Roseville 0
Rockridge 46 – Newman 30
Orion 37 – Mercer County 29
