Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Riverdale Academy had hoped a bye week would be a chance to hit a reset button on its season entering Friday’s rivalry game against Claiborne Academy.

But the Rebels couldn’t keep up early, and Claiborne Academy cruised to a 50-16 win.
Riverdale (1-4) falls for the second straight game and has scored 16 or fewer points in each of its four losses.

“Claiborne built a big lead early,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “The biggest factors were our inability to tackle their athletes in space, and we couldn’t get our snaps down.

“Bad snaps cost us several opportunities on offense, and we looked lethargic on defense.”
Claiborne Academy quarterback Kyler Monk is the best of those athletes, and Monk threw for three touchdowns and ran for another three.

The junior totaled 295 yards (180 rushing and 115 passing) on the night.

Monk completed 5-of-11 passes with Reagan Feazell (2-68, 1TD) and Dylan Buckner (2-33, TD) catching multiple passes. Buckner added 36 rushing yards on just two carries and had 76 yards on punt returns.
Riverdale’s Tanner Carlisle accounted for the home Rebels’ two touchdowns.

“When we were able to get a good snap, most plays worked,” Edie said. “We went to a different formation and made a change at center.

Usual quarterback Kaidyn Williams suffered a knee injury on a tackle in the first half and was limited in the second half.

Williams was thrust into the full-time quarterback role after Ashton Almond was injured in the season opener.

The injuries are mounting for a roster already affected by low numbers.

With four regular season games remaining, Riverdale will go back to the drawing board with two road games coming up.

“Unfortunately, I think we took a step backwards (Friday),” Edie said. “I think our understanding of what needs to be done is there, but the execution is not.

“We will press on.”

The next game is a trip to River Oaks, who is shaping up to be Riverdale’s toughest test yet of the season.