Matt Vines

EAST POINT – Riverdale Academy football coach Nathan Edie challenged his boys at halftime.

Turnovers and mistakes plagued the first-half performance as Wilkinson County Christian built a big lead.

The Rebels couldn’t dig themselves all the way out of that hole, but they played a much better second half in a 44-20 loss.

“I think we were very lethargic in the first half,” Edie said. “We had seven turnovers and were missing too may blocks and too many tackles.

“I challenged the boys at halftime to come out and win the second half, and they responded.”

The running clock early in the second half limited Riverdale’s (0-7) ability to mount a serious comeback, but the Rebels did hack away at WCCA’s (7-0) lead.

Ashton Almond scored two touchdowns and Ben Moseley added another.\

Quarterback Tanner Carlisle converted one two-point conversion as he continues to get stronger while playing with a leg injury.

“Tanner has gotten better, but I think he is about as good as he can be without being out completely and letting his leg heal,” Edie said. “He has played hard all season, and I hop he finishes it on a high now with these final two weeks of the regular season.”

Cooler nighttime weather did help a small Riverdale roster make that second-half improvement.

“The cooler temperatures were perfect, and I feel like the boys were able to play harder for longer periods,” Edie said. “We just need to avoid all the turnovers.”

Riverdale heads to Tallulah Academy before finishing the regular season against Union Christian Academy.