Riverside’s 8-Man Football Debut a Success.

Riverside's Ty Martinsen (Left) was a monster against Central Valley. *(photo by Bobby Mills)

-Cedar Rapids, Ne

Riverside made a leap into the world of Nebraska 8-Man football for the first time tonight and emerged with an impressive 62-20 win over Central Valley.

Riverside high school, who opened their doors in 2014, promptly won four consecutive 6-Man football State Championships, while compiling a 43-1 record with 37 straight wins. But tonight, the Chargers made the difficult switch to the 8-Man game, overcame some opening game jitters, and swept past a good Central Valley football team.

Buoyed by the two-headed rushing monster of All-Stater Ty Martinsen and Michael Berndt, the Chargers piled up over 400 yards on the ground while their defense was putting the clamps on the Cougars and their very fine Jackson McIntyre.

It didn’t take long for Coach Joe Imus’ Riverside team to score it’s first ever 8-Man touchdown. The Chargers cashed in on their opening possession, going 50 yards in 10 plays to take an 6-0 lead.

The drive, which took 3 minutes, 12 seconds, was capped off by a 2 yard Ty Martinsen scoring blast. Sophomore QB Michael Bernt found big Joseph Bloom for the 2 point conversion and it was 8-0.

Central Valley would answer the Riverside score at the 4:00 mark of the 1st stanza, when junior Cameron Kelly took advantage of an underthrown pass, taking it 64 yards for a Pick 6. Kelly made some sweet moves, skirting the Central Valley sidelines on the interception return. The PAT run failed, and Riverside had an 8-6 lead.

Riverside basketball sensation Tredyn Prososki then scored on 15 yard shovel pass from Martinsen to close out the 1st quarter, extending the Chargers lead to 16-6.

The defenses took over to start the second quarter, but it was Central Valley’s defense and special teams play that sent shockwaves through the packed house watching this opening night 2018 battle.

It all began with a jarring tackle and fumble recovery by the Cougar’s at the Riverside 35 yard line.

Central Valley quarterback Jackson McIntyre promptly connected with Cameron Kelly for a 29 yard gain to the Riverside 6 yard line. McIntyre called Kelly’s number again, this time nailing him for a 6 yard TD reception. McIntyre ran in the double PAT and Central Valley trailed only 16-14.

Disaster struck Riverside on the ensuing kick-off when freshman Tony Berger coughed up the football on a vicious hit at the Charger’s 30 yard line. A 12 yard gain by McIntyre, and a 15 yard late hit personal foul penalty on Riverside moved the ball to the Chargers 9 yard line.

Jackson McIntyre scooted in on the very next play, and in a span of 22 seconds, Riverside trailed for the first time in a gazillion years, 20-16 to the Cougars.

The clock read 4:42 left in the 2nd quarter when Joe Imus lit a fire under his troops. In that short time span, the Chargers exploded for 26 points to put the game out of reach.

First, it as Ty Martinsen going in from a yard out with 4:42 left until halftime. 11 seconds later, Martinsen would score again, following a Central Valley turnover. Riverside then tacked another one on when Tredyn Prososki found junior Trey Carraher for a 3 yard scoring pass.

The Chargers defense unleashed a ferocious pass rush following the ensuing kick-off, resulting in a safety with just 24 ticks left in the second quarter. Big Joseph Bloom blasted in from the left side of that Charger defensive line, trapping McIntyre in the end zone with nowhere to go.

In an eye-blinking 4 minutes, 42 seconds, Riverside had turned a 20-16 deficit into a 42-20 halftime cushion. Unreal. Ah, those Joey Imus “pep” talks.

The third quarter was scoreless, but Riverside began to wear down the youthful Cougars and would add three 4th quarter touchdowns to put the game on ice for good.

QB Mike Bernt broke through a nice opening to sprint 36 yards for a touchdown, sophomore quarterback classmate Jeffrey Schmeits then fired a picture perfect 15 yard TD strike to Joseph Bloom, and freshman Tony Berger then made amends for his fumble by zipping 26 yards for the final Riverside tally. Berger then put the exclamation point on the score by breaking tackles on his way to a two-point PAT blast.

Ty Martinsen paved the way for the victorious Chargers with 213 yards on 25 carries and 2 TDs. Martinsen also threw a touchdown pass. Sophomore QB Michael Bernt added 155 yards on 19 touches and that 36 yard scoring run.

Tredyn Prososki not only caught a touchdown pass but threw one as well.

As usual Ty Martinsen, twice 6-Man Defensive Player-of-the Year, was a terror on the defensive side of the ball, as well as the tough as nails, Joseph Bloom.

Riverside quarterbacks combined to complete 9 of 21 passes for 102 yards and 3 touchdowns, but suffered 2 INTs on the night.

Central Valley QB Jackson McIntyre completed 4 of 10 aerials for 41 yards and was all all-around spark plug on both sides of the ball, as well as good looking junior, Cameron Kelly, but the Riverside defense prevented the Cougars from getting their rushing attack going most of the evening.

Next Friday, the 1-0 Chargers host a rugged Twin Loup squad, while Central Valley hits the road again, travelling south to face always tough Giltner. Keep the faith on Jess Rother’s Cougar football team. This bunch has some talent, is young, and will only get better as the season progresses.

…………………...1……..2……..3……..4……….Final

Central Valley….6…….14…….0……..0………...20

Riverside……….16…...26…….0…….20………..62

1st Qtr………………………………………………………………………..R-CV

Riv--Ty Martinsen 2 run…………………...PAT-Bloom pass from Bernt...8-0

CV---Cameron Kelly 64 INT return…........PAT-run failed………………....8-6

Riv---Prososki 15 pass from Martinsen.....PAT-Martinsen run…………...16-6

2nd Qtr.

CV---Kelly 6 pass from J. McIntyre…..…..PAT-McIntyre run……………..16-14

CV---Jackson McIntyre 9 run………..…….PAT-run failed………………...16-20

Riv---Ty Martinsen 1 run…………..……….PAT-Swerczek run…………...24-20

Riv---Ty Martinsen 8 run………..………….PAT-Martinsen run…………...32-20

Riv---Trey Carraher 3 pass from Prososki..PAT-Michael Bernt run……...40-20

Riv---Safety (Bloom tackle of McIntyre).....................................................42-20

4th Qtr.

Riv---Mike Bernt 36 run……………………..PAT-pass failed……………....48-20

Riv---Bloom 15 pass from Jeff Schmeits….PAT-run failed………………...54-20

Riv---Tony Berger 26 run…………………...PAT-Tony Berger run………...62-20