CLASS A FOOTBALL SECTIONAL: Panthers capitalize on second half turnovers to take down Clovers

CLOVERDALE - The Riverton Parke Panthers only attempted six passes but grounded out 295 yards on the ground and took advantage of five Cloverdale turnovers to advance in the IHSAA Football Class A playoffs 39-14.

On a crisp, football kind of night, the Panthers took the opening kickoff and marched quickly down the field in five plays, all on the ground. Sean Vester took a pitch to the left and found a cut back lane to race 29 yards for the opening score with the point after giving the visitors a quick 7-0 lead.

After they were able to hold the Clovers, the Panthers methodically went down the field, marching 69 yards on 14 plays, once again all on the ground.

This time, Riverton Parke’s workhorse back Kyle Price plunged in from two yards out, making 14-0 and grinding the clock into the second quarter.

The Clovers had a promising drive thwarted by a holding call, but they would soon break through. A big punt returns from Tayt Jackson set them up in great field position. With just :12 left in the half, Levi Johnson plowed in from three yards out to make it a one score game at the half at 14-6, as they missed the extra point.

Cloverdale was set to receive the second half kickoff, one the Panthers popped up short and in the air.

The Clovers caught it at full speed when the returner took a big hit and lost the ball, which was quickly recovered by the Panthers. This time they would go to air as Collett Sanders found A.J. Goff breaking free for a 45-yard strike to go up 21-6.

On the next kickoff, the Clover returner was stripped of the ball and the Panthers were in business again. Two plays later Goff went in from 11-yards out and it was 27-6 Riverton Parke with 9:26 still left in third.

Cloverdale would get another good drive going, getting into the red zone. The Panthers once again stripped the ball free and the drive was halted. The visitors went back to their bread and butter, the ground and pound and nine plays later, Price took it in from three yards out to put the game out of reach.

The Clovers got back on the board in the fourth. A big pass from Artrevion Henderson to Jaxton Helton set up the score. Henderson would hit Drake Hoffa on a four-yard slant and then find him again on the two point conversion to make it 33-14.

Riverton Parke added one more score when Price broke free and rambled 32 yards for the game's final score.

“We had three keys to win this game; no turnovers, no stupid penalties and win the third quarter. We didn’t do those things and we ended up on the wrong side of the scoreboard tonight,” Cloverdale head coach Tyler Lotz said.

Cloverdale will lose five seniors, but a lot will remain for this young team after a 2-8 season.

“What’s tough about moments like these is you hate to see the seniors go, but it's exciting to have a lot of kids coming back and for the future of Cloverdale football, the best is ahead,” added coach Lotz.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

RP 9:02 Vester 29-yard run (Benito kick)

2nd Quarter

RP 10:26 Price 2-yard run (Benito kick)

CL :12 Johnson 3-yard run (kick failed)

3rd Quarter

RP 10:24 Goff 45-yard pass from Sanders (Benito kick)

4th Quarter

RP 8:09 Price 3-yard run (kick failed)

CL 5:46 Hoffa 4-yard pass from Henderson (Hoffa pass)

RP 4:16 Price 32-yard run (run failed)

Team Stats

Individual Stats

Rushing — (CL) Johnson 9-30, Jackson 4-15, Helton 1-(-3), Henderson 3-(-11); (RP) Price 23-193, Goff 7-16, Sanders 3-17, Vester 2-38, Collom 4-32, Lesniak 1-(-1)

Passing — (CL) Henderson 14-27-175-1-2, Jackson 0-1-0-0-0; (RP) Sanders 2-5-52-1-0

Receiving — (CL) Helton 5-102, Jackson 4-31, Hoffa 4-32, Gardner 1-10; (RP) Goff 2-52