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TAYLOR — Riverside used a variety of ways to score to hand Hanover Area a 33-14 loss Friday in a non-conference game.

The Hawkeyes had some missed opportunities and at times struggled to keep the Vikings out their backfield, giving up four sacks.

“They dominated us up front. If we can’t protect the quarterback and run the ball we’re going to have a tough time,” said first-year Hanover Area coach Mike McCree, whose team fell to 1-3.

A little over a minute into the game, Hawkeye junior Brandon Chafin stepped up for an interception to give Hanover Area the ball at its own 35. The Hawkeyes went three-and-out and six plays later Riverside started the scoring on a 22-yard air strike from quarterback Kenny Kieler to Nick Sottile at 4:46 of the first quarter.

Hanover Area responded to tie it at 7-7 as junior Brandon Brueckner returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown.

After exchanging punts on the next two series, the Hawkeyes’ quarterback Jacob Peters played the Vikings blitz perfectly by dishing off a screen pass into the flat to Tyheim Taylor for a 35 yard score, making it 14-7.

Then just 15 seconds later, Riverside running back Mikkell Green ran for a 41 yard score, tying it at 14-14 with 11:30 left in the half.

“We knew that they were a big physical team. We’re not very big so we just wanted to see if we could establish a run game,” said second-year Riverside Coach Jon Fox. “We were able to do that so that helped us a lot tonight.”

Just before halftime, the Vikings’ Kishod Stanton stepped in front of an out pattern pass for a pick-six, putting the Vikings up 21-14 at the half.

Green ran for another score in the third and Stanton returned a punt for 32-yard to round out the scoring 33-14 with 4:59 left in the game.

“I was never really comfortable in the game because it was a lot closer than the scoreboard showed. That’s a team that’s going to win some football games this year, though,” Fox said. “The difference between this week and last week is we were able to execute and cut down on the penalties.

“Donnie Clark had a very good game on defense (2 sacks). We have a bend but don’t break mentality on defense.”

By Max Stephens

For Times Leader

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