By Molly Seales

On a hot and steamy Saturday, July 16, the Riverdale Academy varsity football team traveled to Union Christian Academy 6 x 6 passing tournament. There were 9 teams in the tournament, and Riverdale beat Briarfield in the championship game to bring the trophy home to Riverdale. Head Coach Jared Smelser said in a post on social media, “It was a great weekend for the beginning of football. We competed in a 6 v. 6 passing tournament on Saturday. After losing 78% of our offensive scoring last year, I was just hoping to get the team chemistry and route timing down. These guys showed me that they want to compete and win. I was pumped with the quarterback progression and reads, the receivers’ routes, and a quick defense that reacted well. I’m ready for these guys to hit the field.”

I also caught up with assistant coach Jensen Spillum for his thoughts on the outing. Coach Jensen told me, “It was a great feeling to win the 6 on 6 tournament this weekend. Having gone undefeated while playing really good competition is a confidence boost and will propel us into the regular season. Offensively, we threw the ball around the field very well, and our routes were executed the way we wanted them to be. Defensively, we flew to the ball and improved our coverage schemes. It was fun winning, but now we are focused on the regular season and winning one week at a time.”

The Rebel football team has been putting in the work in the weight room this summer and will officially begin practice next week. While they prepare for the season, the RA cheerleaders head to cheer camp in Grapevine, TX, on July 20-23 so they can improve and get ready to cheer on their boys of fall. Excitement is in the air as football season is less than a month away! Let’s go Rebels!

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