| Warriors headed to Maryville |
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By: MARK MIZE, Special to The Post
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Posted: Sunday, November 20, 2011 6:04 am
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Rivderdale tailback Adam Davenport scored three touchdowns in the game. (TMP/D. Gardonia)
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Riverdale’s defense forced four turnovers during their 35-10 victory over Oak Ridge Friday night, allowing the Warriors to advance to the 6A Tennessee State Semifinals.
The Wildcats had Riverdale’s number in last season’s quarterfinals, beating the Warriors, 28-21.
But this year, the tables were turned as Oak Ridge struggled on offense, gaining only 128 yards of total offense and 23 points short of their season average in points scored.
The Wildcats went three-and-out on their first possession before punting to the Warriors near midfield. Riverdale took advantage of the positive field position and drove 52 yards before senior tail back Adam Davenport rushed into the end zone from four yards out.
After another Oak Ridge punt, the Warriors’ next drive looked to have stalled after quarterback Dillon Woodruff’s third down pass was batted down at the line of scrimmage. Head coach Ron Aydelott decided to go for it on fourth and five.
Woodruff dropped back to pass and quickly felt the pressure of the defensive pass rush. He stepped up in the pocket and, after surveying the field, took off down the left sideline for 25 yards and a first down. Woodruff would take it in himself two plays later on an option keeper to take a 14-0 lead.
Woodruff was 7-of-11 passing on the night for 61 yards. He also had 68 yards rushing with one touchdown.
Oak Ridge quarterback Bradley Zulliger did not fare as well versus the vaunted Riverdale defense.
Zulliger threw four costly interceptions and completed less than half of his passes in the game. The Warrior secondary consistently harassed the Wildcat receivers and the pass rush forced enough pressure to disrupt Zulliger’s timing.
After falling behind 21-0 early in the second quarter, Oak Ridge finally got on the board after Matt Moore returned a kickoff 79 yards to give the offense good starting field position. Four plays later, tail back Rian Hall rushed five yards for a touchdown. The Wildcats tacked on a field goal to head into halftime down 21-10.
Riverdale’s defense took over in the second half.
Oak Ridge was forced to punt its first three drives before Mariko Odom intercepted Zulliger on the fourth possession.
Davenport scored his third touchdown of the night when he took the handoff up the middle and hurdled a defender at the goal line for a 15-yard score to take a 35-10 leader early in the fourth.
Ricardo Terry intercepted Zulliger on the ensuing Wildcat drive, and the Warriors ran out the clock to take the victory, 35-10.
Riverdale gained 291 yards of offense in the game, including 230 yards on the ground. Woodruff went down early in the fourth quarter with an injury, but was able to walk off the field under his own weight.
The Warriors are now 13-0 on the season and will play at Maryville next Friday, Nov. 25 in the 6A state semifinals for the second time in three years. The Rebels beat Riverdale, 42-30 in the 2009 state semifinals.
Riverdale is looking for their first state championship since 2004. Maryville is the defending 6A state champions. |
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