Riverdale avenges loss to Dickson County

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KIN EASTER
The Dickson Herald

DICKSON — Riverdale had a score to settle with Dickson County.

After losing to the Cougars (3-2) at Tomahawk Stadium by a field goal last season, the Class 5A top-ranked Warriors (5-0) came to Dickson County’s house last night and won decisively, 38-2.

“They had us last year,” Riverdale quarterback Dave Thomas said.

“We felt like we needed to do something. The main thing is that they beat us at our school. We had to push ourselves again this week.”

Thomas rushed for the first three touchdowns and connected to Rahmel Oliver on a 52-yard post pattern score with nine seconds remaining in the half.

The senior called it a night by the time Riverdale took its first possession of the fourth quarter, holding a 29-point lead. His brother, Scott, served as his replacement.

“I don’t know if we got in sync on offense, but our defense was real good,” Riverdale Coach Gary Rankin said.

The Warriors defense limited the Cougars to 14 rushing yards in the first half, 56 through the air and three first downs. Two of Dickson County’s top running backs, Stanley Brooks and Blake Allen, combined for 6 yards on eight carries.

“They were just like we thought they would be,” Dickson County Coach Jackie Bledsoe said. “They were much more physical than we were.

“We couldn’t get anything going.”

Dickson County quarterback Shane Bishop was a victim of Riverdale’s aggressive play. Bishop hyper-extended his right knee late in the first quarter after he took a hit on an incomplete pass.

At one point in the game, Brooks lost his helmet, jersey and shoulder pads in a pile-up.

But Rankin wanted his players to match the intensity he expected out of Dickson County.

“They’re a pretty good football team,” Rankin said. “They were pretty physical, and we tried to come in and play hard-nosed with them.”

Dickson County junior Trevon McIllwain stepped in for Bishop and completed five passes in eight attempts for 78 yards.

“He did a real good job for us,” Bledsoe said. “He worked hard.”

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