Maryville snuffs Riverdale's title shot

By JARED HASTINGS • This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it • November 28, 2009

MARYVILLE — In a battle of Tennessee high school football powers, the Riverdale Warriors ran into a heavyweight.

The top-ranked Maryville Rebels dominated the first half and held on in the second, taking a 42-30 victory over Riverdale in the semifinals of the TSSAA Class 6A playoffs.

Sixth-ranked Riverdale ended its season with a record of 11-3, while Maryville (13-1) advanced to the state title game for the sixth consecutive year.

For Riverdale, the loss ends what had been a dream season. One year after winning just five games and missing the playoffs, the Warriors won a share of the District 7-AAA title and were the last Rutherford County team remaining in the postseason.

"Before the season, we sat down and we made a list of goals," said Riverdale quarterback Cody West. "The only one of those we didn't hit was winning the state championship.

"One of those goals was we wanted to put Riverdale back in the playoffs and bring back 'Fear the Spear," and I think we did that."

Maryville quarterback Phillip Juhlin passed for 255 yards and a touchdown while running back Buddy Jones ran for 162 yards on 19 carries as the Rebels outgained Riverdale 455-379.

The Warriors rushed for 232 yards on 26 carries, including three touchdown runs by West, but three first-half turnovers — the only turnovers of the game — gave Maryville 21 points and Riverdale could never recover.

"The way I look at it, we win as a team and we lose as a team," said senior offensive/defensive lineman Brandon Constant, who finished with four tackles, one sack and a pass break-up. "There were people that make individual mistakes, but we have to overcome those as a team. This one was on all of us."

And while the team came up one step shy of its ultimate goal, Riverdale coach Ron Aydelott says the 2009 Warrior squad will be remembered as special.

"This is a good group of kids with their desire and their work ethic," said Aydelott. "That's a rare thing to find. You may find one, but to find a group, they only come along every so often.

"I'm going to remember this bunch."

— Jared Hastings, 615-278-5169