BY TOM KREAGER • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it • November 21, 2009

Riverdale senior Brandon Constant calls quarterback Cody West a big brother.

Big brother played big-time Friday night.

Battered and bruised thanks to a night of hard hits that left many players walking off the field limping, West did what he's shown he does best this season.

He sucked it up, forgot about the pain and played football.

Throw out every stat you can Friday night and look at what Cody West did. It's at that point where you find why Riverdale is back in the state championship picture.

West is a winner this year — plain and simple. Oakland hit him hard. The Patriots made him leave the field for a couple of plays.

But he came back to lead the Warriors for the game-winning score.

Now, it's too early to start predicting what Riverdale will do in next Friday's Class 6A state championship game at Maryville. The Rebels, a perennial powerhouse in Class 4A for years, bumped up to 6A this season and played has played with the big boys.

Their 35-14 win over Knoxville Farragut on Friday night showed Maryville will be a tough opponent.

Crowd saw a classic

There is no official attendance count yet for Friday night's playoff version of the Battle of the 'Boro. The early estimate from a Riverdale official was more than 7,000.

It was standing room only, with rows of fans stuck watching from behind the fences.

Those that went saw a classic — even better than Riverdale's 13-10 regular-season overtime win at Oakland. But did you expect anything less?

These two teams have been two of the area's dominant teams through much of the second half of the season. Their playoff runs have been nothing short of amazing.

But only one team could win Friday night, and it was Riverdale's night as the Warriors showed for a second time that its front line could handle Oakland's vaunted front line.

Now, will a large crowd travel to Maryville on the day after Thanksgiving? Riverdale has been known for traveling in the postseason to support its football team.

Week to be thankful

All season long, players talk about practicing on Thanksgiving Day. It means so much — beyond the obvious that their team is still alive.

It means your team is one of four remaining in your class. It means that your team has come together and done the right things to be successful.

So Riverdale's players may get shorted a little this week in their turkey consumption.

I'm sure no one will complain. After all, they've got a game to win against one of the state's top football programs.

Tom Kreager is prep editor of The Daily News Journal. E-mail him at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .