By Steve Heath

DNJ Prep Editor

Considered the favorite to win the TSSAA Class 5A BlueCross Bowl since losing the game in December of 2003, Riverdale met those high expectations Saturday.

Ranked in five national prep football polls and No. 1 in the state, the Warriors won their fourth state crown with a 35-7 victory over Franklin at Floyd Stadium.

It was the third perfect season for the Warriors. Their seasons in 1994 and 2001, like Saturday's, ended with a 15-0 record. Riverdale won the state championship in 1997 and have been in the title game nine times, all in the past 12 years.

"It feels good. After we lost last year, we were predicted to win it all, and that's what we did," said Riverdale senior defensive end/tight end Chris Perkins, a Mr. Football Lineman finalist.

Saturday's game was a showcase of the Warrior talent, from Mr. Football quarterback Dave Thomas to 2,000-plus yard rusher Gaston Miller to a defense that dominated opponents unlike any other Warrior team in school history.

Though it fell short of breaking a school record for points allowed, the Warrior defense notched a record eight shutouts this season — to go with having a stretch of 43 quarters without giving up a touchdown.

In the state championship, it dominated the fourth-ranked Rebels (13-2), giving up only nine first downs and 153 total yards. The lone Franklin touchdown — a 22-yard pass from Michael Mikrut to Todd Campbell — didn't come until the score was 35-0 and only 1:08 was left in the game.

"We knew they were going to come in and try and run on us," said Riverdale cornerback Keaton Anderson. "We just (took it) to heart — this is our defense and no one can run on us or pass on us and we just tried to do our best."

Senior linebacker Rahmel Oliver was named the defensive MVP. He had an interception to set up a touchdown, one sack, seven total tackles and a fumble recovery.

At halftime, the Warriors were ahead 21-0 and had given up only one first down and 13 yards on 13 plays.

"I think this year I felt more pressure," said Riverdale head coach Gary Rankin, of the expectations put on his team. "We had some adversity through the year. ... The kids stayed together and believed in everything. It's a great bunch of kids and a great team effort."

Thomas got the Warriors off to a good start. He rushed for 102 yards in the first half and helped set up all three of Miller's first-half touchdowns. Then, added one of his own in the fourth quarter. Miller added a fourth score to put Riverdale ahead 35-0 with 4:26 left in the game.

Miller was held down, yardage-wise, much of the night, but he broke off big runs in the second half, to go with his three first-half touchdowns.

After getting only 25 yards on 13 carries in the first half, Miller finished with 141 yards on 20 carries. He was named the game's offensive MVP.

"(The line) made some holes for me. Dave (Thomas) made some plays to take some pressure off me and (fullback) Tamar (Butler) made some plays," Miller said. "All of them helped me get this award."

Riverdale took a 7-0 lead on the first possession of the game. Driving 52 yards in only five plays, Miller scored on a 5-yard run. The Warriors got great field position thanks to a 47-yard kickoff return from junior Antwone Smith. Thomas had a 30-yard run to get the Warriors to the Franklin 14. Butler had a 9-yard run prior to the touchdown.

The Warriors went up 14-0 on another Miller score this time from 1-yard away. Riverdale started the drive on the Franklin 41, after an 18-yard punt. Thomas, again, had the longest play of the series, a 22-yard rush to the Rebel 18.

The lead grew to 21-0 on Miller's third touchdown, a 3-yard run with 9:02 left in the third quarter. The score was set up by a one-handed interception by Oliver, who picked up nine extra yards to the Franklin 17. On third-and-six from the 13, Thomas connected with senior tight end Chris Perkins for a 10-yard gain and Miller scored on the next play.

Riverdale senior defensive tackle Marcae Brown was the Warriors' co-leader in tackles with seven. He had three and one-half tackles for loss for minus-21 yards. As a team, Riverdale had 10 tackles for losses adding up to 43 yards.