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Rivercrest’s Mark Grider catches a pass during a recent game. Grider had a 62-yard touchdown reception in the Rebels’ 27-14 win at Quinlan Boles. Rivercrest takes on Wolfe City at The Swamp Friday for third place in district. TRIBUNE PHOTO / QUINTEN BOYD
The Rivercrest Rebels followed their team motto this season –”Work Hard. Be Consistent.” – and it got them a return to the UIL playoffs.
The Rebels’ 27-14 win on the road at Quinlan Boles, coupled with Alba-Golden’s loss at Cooper, clinched a playoff spot for the Rebels, who had already beaten Alba-Golden this season. It’s the team’s first playoff berth under second-year head coach Ty Huie.
Despite the wind and rain Friday, it was the Rebel passing attack that did damage against the Hornets as quarterback Chase Duffer threw for 194 yards and two touchdowns against two interceptions.
Boles scored first off a 74-yard touchdown by Gabriel Drennan, but Rivercrest answered with a 62-yard touchdown pass from Duffer to Mark Grider, who flew past his defender for the score.
Boles then scored in the second quarter when quarterback Kole Lively hit Jonathan Cruthird from 21 yards out, but the Rebels answered again when Duffer threw a strike to Connor Young for a 92-yard touchdown to tie the game again.
The Rebels took the lead when Zane Dees tracked down a punt and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown to give the Rebels their first lead of the game, 21-14.
After halftime and a 30-minute weather delay, the Rebels stopped Boles twice in the second half inside the red zone and added the game’s final touchdown in the fourth quarter to ice the game and put the team in the playoffs.
The playoff berth may be solidified, but the Rebels can improve their seeding Friday with a win over Wolfe City. The Rebels and Wolves are currently tied for third place behind Cooper and Honey Grove, who defeated the Wolves last week, 34-6. The Warriors outgained the Wolves, 373-179.
Harry Martinez had Wolfe City’s only touchdown on the night on a leaping catch.
As it stands, the Rebels will take on either Beckville (8-1) or Frankston (8-2) in the bi-district round – Rivercrest gets Beckville if they finish fourth and Frankston if they finish third. Frankston has completed their regular season; Beckville closes the season Friday at Union Grove. Beckville has clinched 10-2A Div. I by virtue of their 55-0 win over Frankston.
Rivercrest will celebrate Senior Night Friday before the game and kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.