Riverside bruises, confuses host Chapel Hill to take opener 24-7
Riverside used a bruising running game to overpower host Chapel Hill 24-7 in their season openers Friday night.
Pirates coach Chris Howell used a two-quarterback system of junior Kamari Royster and senior Drew Gore for most of the first half to keep the defense guessing. Each had a touchdown and also played wide receiver.
Turning point
Leading 14-7 at halftime, Riverside took its opening possession of the third quarter and went 70 yards in five plays to take a 21-7 lead and was never threatened in the second half.
“We told them to continue fighting and do what they had done in the first half,” Riverside assistant coach Monty Owens said.
Three who mattered
Frank Adams, Riverside: The senior had 17 carries for 108 yards, many of them with two or three defenders hanging on.
“He had a great game,” Owens said. “He’s a great morale booster for the kids. He’s also a senior and that’s what seniors do.”
Kamari Royster, Riverside: After alternating with Gore in the first half, Royster took all of the snaps in the second half and finished the game 7 of 10 for 81 yards and a 35-yard touchdown.
Connor Stough, Chapel Hill: The senior quarterback’s absence because to a pulled hamstring deflated the Tigers offense. Caleb Colson and Alec Stough completed 9-of-19 passes for 64 yards and one TD.
By the numbers
0: Points allowed by Riverside’s defense in the second half.
15: Number of penalties by both teams in the first quarter.
47: Minutes it took the first quarter to end.
-18: The total yards rushing by Chapel Hill, including a minus-9 yards in the first half.
5: Turnovers by Riverside (four fumbles and an interception).
This story was originally published August 21, 2015 at 10:31 PM with the headline "Riverside bruises, confuses host Chapel Hill to take opener 24-7."