Huntingdon Defeats Riverside, 35-21

PARSONS (October 4) — The Huntingdon Mustangs were able to bounce back after last week’s region loss to Milan. On Friday’s matchup, the Mustangs rallied from behind in the second half to defeat reigning state champions the Riverside Panthers, 35-21.

Both teams were evenly matched in a game with no punts on fourth down and only one turnover. Huntingdon had 20 first downs to Riverside’s 15. The Panthers had 172 yards passing and 177 yards on the ground. For Huntingdon, it came down to time management and ground yardage. Brady Warbritton led in rushing yards with 193 while Gray Eubanks had 175 yards.

In the first quarter, Riverside struck first. Despite winning the coin toss and electing to receive Huntingdon was caught in a little trickery as the Panthers recovered an onside kick. In three plays, Riverside scored on a 41-yard touchdown run by Jack Camper. Cole Yarbro added the point after as the Panthers led 7-0.

Huntingdon responded with a trifecta of runs by Warbritton moving the ball near the goal line. On third-and-goal, Eubanks punched the ball into the endzone. Greyson Anderson booted the PAT tying the score up 7-7 at the 7:05 mark of the first quarter.

Riverside ate the remaining time in the quarter. Starting from the Panther 36 yard line, they were able to move to the five yard line to cap the quarter. On fourth-and-goal from the one yard line, Camper had his second touchdown of the night. Yarbo’s PAT made the score 14-7 Riverside with 10:32 to play in the half.

Huntingdon tied the score with 5:06 to play in the half. Starting from the Mustang 37 yard line, Warbritton and Eubanks were able to pick up positive yardage and first downs. On first-and-goal from the one, Eubanks crossed the goal line. Yarbo’s kick made it 14-14.

The next series gave the Panthers the lead. In three plays and an extra point, Riverside led 21-14 at the half.

In the second half, the Mustangs were able to change the momentum of the game. Riverside was moving the ball down the field with ease. On third-and-eight from the Huntingdon 13 yard line, a pass by Jack Cupples was intercepted by Tyreke Hutch.

Starting from the eight yard line, the Mustangs moved the ball 92 yards in 13 plays. On first-and-goal from the one, Eubanks had his third touchdown. Anderson tied the game 21-21 with the extra point.

The third quarter finished with the Panthers on the move. Riverside made it to the 16 yard line, then on fourth-and-one, Cupples was sacked by Broox Bennett and Warbritton.

On the next drive, the Mustangs successfully converted on fourth down twice. With 4:10 to play in the quarter, Huntingdon took the lead with a Warbritton TD. Anderson’s PAT put the Mustangs up 28-21.

Riverside’s next drive ended with a turnover on downs after Bennett was able to take Cupples down a second time.

On second down from the 38 yard line, Eubanks broke free for a 72-yard touchdown. The extra point capped the game at 35-21 with less than two minutes to play.

Riverside was unable to work any magic against Huntingdon in the time remaining.

Huntingdon moves to 4-2 on the season and 2-1 in Region 6-2A, which puts them in fifth place in the region behind Jackson Central Merry (4-0), Milan (3-1), Riverside (3-1), and Peabody (3-1). Next Friday night, the Mustangs host Jackson Central Merry with kickoff at 7 p.m.