by Week 6 of High school football kicked off with what looked to be a good one. The 4-1 Riverside Beavers headed into the 3-2 Mayfield Wildcats stadium looking to ruin their Homecoming game. The Beavers had some help from Junior QB Mikey Maloney who went 8/13 with 228 yards and 3 TD’s while also rushing 4 times for 32 yards and a TD. His favorite target was fellow Junior Wideout Brady McKnight who had 5 catches for 151 yards and 3 TD’s.
Mayfield struggled to move the ball all night but got some good performances from Senior Running back Anthony Santoro who had 13 rushes for 67 yards and 2 TD’s. The Wildcats Junior Wideout Dylan Parnell brought in 6 catches for 86 yards. The final score of the game was 58-14 in favor of the Riverside Beavers.
On the first drive of the game, the Riverside Beavers were able to connect on a huge 53 yard gain to get inside the 10 yard line. The Wildcats defense stood strong though and would only give up a field goal. Riverside led 3-0 early. Mayfield’s first possession ended in a 3 and out, but when they went to punt the ball there was a bad snap that ended up in the end zone. The Wildcats would fall on it in the end zone and it would be ruled a safety. Riverside expanded their lead to 5-0.
The Beavers would get the ball back after another stalled possession by the Wildcats. On the first play of the drive, Quarterback Mikey Maloney would throw his first touchdown of the game to WR Brady McKnight on a 49 yard pass. The Beavers would convert the 2 pt conversion and lead 13-0. It did not stop there though, on the first play of the Beavers next drive would be another touchdown pass from Maloney to McKnight, this time from 54 yards! Riverside would make the extra point and lead 20-0 over Mayfield to end the first quarter.
The second quarter did not go much different. The Wildcats started off with a 3 and out and as they punted to Senior wideout Jake Elly of Riverside, they would soon learn that was a mistake. Elly would return the punt 60 yards and score his first touchdown of the game. River side expanded its lead to 27-0 early in the second quarter.
Mayfield got some momentum though on the ensuing kickoff as Junior receiver Anthony Howard would take the kick back 90 yards and be tackled at the 3 yard line. But, the Wildcats offense could not capitalize. They would end up turning the ball over on downs and Riverside took over. Riverside would be forced to punt the ball for the first time of the night and it ended up being great for them. Mayfield muffed the punt and the Beavers recovered it.
Only a few plays later Quarterback Mikey Maloney would score another touchdown, this time running it in from 31 yards out. The score was now 34-0 Beavers in complete control. Mayfield’s offensive struggles continued as QB Rocco Monastero would throw an interception to Jake Elly. This would lead to the third touchdown between the combo of Maloney and McKnight and this time it was a 10 yard connection that put Riverside ahead 41-0.
Monastero’s very next pass was deja vu. He was picked off this time by Linebacker Cameron Simpson and he would take it 20 yards to paydirt. Beavers held a commanding 48-0 lead with time still left in the first half. Mayfield would finally get something on the board as Senior Running back Anthony Santoro would run in for a 3 yard touchdown. This closed the lead to 48-7 Riverside going into the half.
The third quarter was much quieter than the previous two. Mayfield started with a 3 and out to open the half. The Beavers first drive of the half would end up in points as they knocked in a field goal to take a 51-7 lead. Mayfield would respond though as Santoro would find the end zone for the second time in the game. This time it was a 20 yard run and made the score 51-14 Riverside still ahead by a bunch to end the quarter.
In the final quarter Riverside has their second string players in and the Sophomore QB Ethan Barton would punch in a 2 yard rushing touchdown which made it 58-14. Mayfield tried to score one more time but were stopped for the third time by an interception. This time it was Junior Linebacker Joey Bruno. That would end the game with a final score of 58-14 Riverside over Mayfield.
Player of the game was Riverside Quarterback Mikey Maloney who went 8/13 with 228 yards and 3 Touchdowns while also rushing 4 times for 32 yards and a Touchdown.
Riverside takes on Eastlake North at home next week.
Mayfield will take on Willoughby South next week at home.
