Riverview spoils Jackson's debut 34-16

~ Riverview Gardens rolled up 557 yards of offense against the Indians

Jackson High School's spread offense still is a work in progress.

The Indians saw first-hand Friday night what a well-oiled spread attack looks like.

Riverview Gardens sliced and diced Jackson's normally stout defense to the tune of 557 yards during a 34-16 victory in the season opener for both teams.

"Coming into the game, we knew what we were up against," Jackson senior defensive end Henrie Williams said. "They're very athletic, a good team."

Jackson junior Stetson Proffer looks for room to maneuver during Friday's game.

Jackson coach Van Hitt said he knew Jackson was in for a tough battle after seeing the Rams during last week's jamboree.

"They ran all over some good teams just like they did tonight," Hitt said. "They were athletic and well disciplined."

While Riverview had its way offensively, the Indians struggled much of the night in front of a big home crowd.

Jackson, using the spread after being a ground-oriented offense in recent years, gained only 134 yards.

"We expect growing pains," Hitt said. "Some of those showed up tonight, but we'll get it fixed."

Jerrett Schwab removes fellow senior Cole Rodgers' neck guard on the sideline during Friday's game.

The Rams carved up Jackson both through the air and on the ground, throwing for 282 yards and rushing for 275 yards.

Riverview quarterback Lavon Meeks completed 24 of 36 passes. He fired three touchdown strikes, although he was intercepted three times.

Dawan Ferguson piled up 158 yards on just 12 carries, including a dazzling 72-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter that gave the Rams a 20-6 halftime lead.

"We played a good game," Riverview coach Robert Hall said. "We told the kids Jackson would be big and physical and they would have a big crowd.

"We worked on crowd noise [during practice] and made it a hostile environment."

Junior Bobby Clark, a first-year varsity starter at quarterback, had his moments but wound up completing just 16 of 43 passes for 154 yards.

"He had some good moments, but sometimes we took too long to throw," Hitt said.

Jackson's running game never got going. Counting losses, including several on bad snaps, the Indians lost 20 yards on the ground.

The Indians struck first as Clark hit senior wideout Tommy Selsor with a 10-yard touchdown pass midway through the first quarter for a 6-0 lead. The PAT was botched on a fumbled snap.

After Riverview tied things a short time later, Jackson missed out on a golden opportunity to regain the lead.

A muffed punt by the Rams set up Jackson on Riverview's 10-yard line.

But on third down from about the 1, a fumbled snap by senior Cole Rodgers -- he was behind center in the Wildcat formation -- forced Jackson to line up for a field-goal attempt. Another fumbled snap botched that play.

Jackson never was able to lead the rest of the contest as the Rams began to take control. They finished the half not only ahead 20-6 but also with a whopping total offense advantage of 314 to 70.

Riverview quickly made it 26-6 early in the third quarter before Jackson threatened to make a game of things.

Junior tailback Ethan Ruch scored on a 15-yard run midway through the third period to pull Jackson within 26-13.

Two plays later, an interception by junior cornerback Stetson Proffer set up Jackson on Riverview's 18-yard line.

Jackson had to settle for a 38-yard field goal by senior Morgan Johnson to make it 26-16.

Three plays later, Rodgers recovered a fumble on the Rams' 20-yard line. Again Jackson failed to punch it in and this time Johnson, who booted all four of his kickoffs into the end zone, missed from 42 yards.

That was really Jackson's last chance as Riverview controlled the rest of the game.

"We got inside the 20 two times there and couldn't take advantage of it," Hitt said.

Hitt said he had no problem with Jackson's effort and would reserve judgment on how the Indians performed until reviewing film.

"We played hard all game. We didn't roll over," Hitt said. "You don't want to get too positive or too negative until you watch the film."

While disappointed that Jackson didn't play better, Williams pointed out that the Indians also lost to Riverview in last year's opener but wound up making the Class 5 semifinals.

"Both sides of the ball have a lot to work on," said Williams, who had a strong game with two sacks and several other quarterback pressures. "We look to get better as the season goes on. This is just the first game."

Jackson hosts Parkway South next Friday.

Riverview 6 14 6 8 -- 34

Jackson 6 0 10 0 -- 16

First Quarter

J -- Tommy Selsor 10 pass from Bobby Clark (pass failed), 5:33

R -- Trevor Brothers 29 pass from Lavon Meeks (pass failed), 3:03

Second Quarter

R -- Dawan Ferguson 2 run (run failed), 10:42

R -- Ferguson 72 run (Michael Mitchell run), 6:47

Third Quarter

R -- Da-Mari-Yah Carter 19 pass from Meeks (run failed), 8:25

J -- Ethan Ruth 15 run (Morgan Johnson kick), 6:16

J -- Johnson 38 FG, 5:03

Fourth Quarter

R -- Ferguson 12 pass from Meeks (Lawrence Patterson pass from Meeks), 7:30

R J

First downs 17 8

Rushes-yards 39-275 24-minus 20

Passing yards 282 154

Passes 25-39-3 16-43-0

Punts 2-21 7-35

Fumbles-Lost 3-2 5-1

Penalties-Yards 5-63 7-45

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Riverview, Ferguson 12-158, Meeks 12-51, Carter 4-39, Wayne Gross 2-11, D.J. Steward 3-13, Tim Williams 3-12, team 3-minus 9. Jackson, Ruch 15-23, Cole Rodgers 3-4, Clark 3-minus 11, team 3-minus 36.

PASSING -- Riverview, Meeks 24-36-3-271, Williams 1-3-0-11. Jackson, Clark 16-43-0-154.

RECEIVING -- Riverview, Brothers 7-87, Ferguson 7-49, Carter 5-74, Steward 4-18, Patterson 2-43. Jackson, Stetson Proffer 5-61, Skyler Kempf 3-28, Eli Gohn 3-27, Selsor 3-24, Ruch 2-14.