Matt Vines

EAST POINT – The term “must win” may seem dramatic and is often overused in sports, but the phrase is arguably a fitting one when describing Riverdale’s trip to Union Christian on Friday.

The Rebels are 0-2 after losses to Prairie View Academy and Tallulah Academy and are facing a Union Christian bunch (1-0) that hasn’t won more than two games in a season since 2019.

Riverdale was without two starters this past week against Tallulah in a 52-12 loss (one from injury and one from illness), which included quarterback and leading tackler Ashton Almond.

Coach Nathan Edie said getting healthy is the most important task this week.

“The focus this week will definitely be on health, but also better execution,” Edie said. “I saw a few things out of our younger players that were thrown into action, and I hope to build on that.”

Quarterback Kaidyn Williams, who split snaps with Almond in the season-opener, accounted for nearly all of Riverdale’s 180 offensive yards against Tallulah this past week.

He scored on touchdown runs of 67 and 69 yards in the second half and completed three passes for 24 yards.

Williams also made the defensive play of the game when he stripped a Tallulah receiver at the goal line and recovered the fumble. Tallulah was already up 22-0 and would go on to a 38-point halftime lead, but that play briefly changed momentum.

“K-Dub gave one of the most inspirational performances in a game that I have been a part of,” Edie said. “We were able to settle into an offensive set that was working in the second half, and Kaidyn broke free on a couple of long touchdown runs.”

A win against Union Christian would buoy the confidence of a young squad in a program that’s used to winning (Riverdale played for the Class AA championship two years ago and won nine games this past season).

But Union Christian enters the matchup with its own confidence after edging Marvell Academy, 16-14, in its season opener this past week.

Aside from the emotions of the win, Union Christian experienced the emotions of watching a Marvell player being airlifted from the field following an injury. That player has since been released from the hospital and returned to his Arkansas home.

Riverdale won the last matchup against Union Christian, 38-14, this past season, and has won each meeting since 2019.