In 2017 the Riverdale Academy Football team had a perfect record in district play. It is a feat never achieved before by the Rebels.

Victory grew out of defeat in the first game of the season against Humphreys. Coach Jared Smelser said, “Now Riverdale is seeded number two and will enjoy home field advantage throughout the playoffs.” It did not look good for the Rebels back on August 18th with that loss to Humphreys. Things looked even worse with an injury to running back Payton Thornton the next week that threatened to end his year.

By the next week, August 25th, the team pulled together and defeated Franklin Academy 36 to 22. They never looked back, racking up an impressive 7-0 district record and an overall record of 8 wins and only one loss.

The first playoff game was played at the school on November 3rd. The opponent was North Sunflower Academy. It was a low scoring, tightly fought match that went down to the wire. Final score was Riverdale14, North Sunflower 12. The Rebels moved on to the second round of district play.

To advance, Riverdale would have to get by Briarfield Academy. They won their district game against Briarfield, but it was a tough battle. The teams met in the second round of the playoffs on November 10th and Briarfield Academy prevailed. Riverdale’s record setting season came to a close.