Riordan is impressive in 3rd consecutive win
By Mitch Stephens
Riordan’s 49-14 nonleague win at St. Mary’s-Berkeley on Saturday featured a little bit of everything.
First, there was a superb running game, led by Jason Greene (20 rushes, 134 yards, two touchdowns) and Raymone Sanders (14, 99, one). The Crusaders ran for 267 yards and four scores.
“Our first goal offensively was to run the ball effectively, and that’s what we did,” Riordan coach Kevin Fordon said.
Then, there were backup quarterbacks Xavier Caracter and Joshua Boone. Filling in for injured starter Jacky Luavasa, each threw a touchdown pass.
“Those (quarterbacks) work hard and they did a super job,” Fordon said.
The defense added five sacks, including two by Rocco Russell, giving him six for the season.
“Nobody can block that kid,” Fordon said. “Overall, we were really physical. Right from the start.”
And nobody seems to be able to stop Aidan Verba-Hamilton, who recorded his third kickoff return for a touchdown in three weeks and fifth over two seasons. All five TD returns have been at least 94 yards, including Saturday’s 99-yarder.
“I’m not sure why people are still kicking to him, but I’m not complaining,” Fordon said.
Why should he complain? The No. 13 Crusaders are 3-0 for the first tine since 2012, when they finished 3-8.
Riordan hasn’t had much success lately in West Catholic Athletic League play, going 3-39 since 2009.
“I know people are skeptical,” Fordon said. “We like that. I’m really excited to bring all of this into the WCAL.”
St. Mary’s (2-3), a 2014 North Coast Section Division IV finalist, had minus-5 yards rushing. But Ryan Jenkins threw for 265 yards, including touchdown passes to Sanjay Kettles and Tamarick Pierce. No. 18 Marin Catholic-Kentfield 26, Justin-Siena-Napa 8: In a game of big plays, the host Wildcats (4-1, 2-0 Marin County Athletic League) got more of them. Quarterback Darius Peterson, who rushed 19 times for 258 yards, had touchdown runs of 67, 80 and 75 yards. Peterson was sacked six times. The other Marin Catholic touchdown came on a 40-yard halfback option from Will Buckstaff to Jake Laudenslager. Justin-Siena (2-2, 1-1), the defending NCS Division IV champions, scored on a safety by David Gamble and a 32-yard interception return from Michael Francke. Marin Catholic’s Sebastian Oliver, a 6-foot-4, 236-pound defensive end from Australia, had four sacks. Marin Catholic lost 3-0 to JustinSiena last season as its 37-game league winning streak ended. No. 19 Sacred Heart PrepAtherton 76, Carmel 55: Lapitu Mahoni and Thomas Wine combined for 44 carries for 348 yards and six touchdowns for the visiting Gators (2-2) against the Padres (1-2) in a game that featured no punts. Mason Randall completed 7 of 8 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown for SHP, which piled up 605 yards.
Harold Abend contributed to this report.