Riverside comes back to stun Robbinsville

ROBBINSVILLE >> Homecoming Night was going perfect for the Robbinsville High football team. Leading by 20 early on the in the third quarter, the Ravens looked to have their third win of the season in the bag in front of their hometown fans. Riverside however, had other plans for the evening and came back to spoil the party for the Ravens and their packed house of fans at Steve J. Mayer Stadium with a stunning 36-34 victory.

With 36 second left in the game and down 34-28, Riverside quarterback Danny Devlin stepped back and fired a 15yard strike to Nazier Parker in the end zone for a touchdown to tie the game. On the next play, Devlin helped the Rams take the lead with 28 seconds to go, running off the right side and in for the successful twopoint.

“We have practiced that play all week,” Devlin said on the game-tying touchdown. “I made the right read and Nazier executed with the catch.”

Still with just over 25 seconds on the clock and Danny Surtz at quarterback, the Ravens had a chance to comeback for the win with a field goal or touchdown.

Surtz was an offensive machine for Robbinsville in the first half, rushing in for two touchdowns in the first quarter and throwing a 41-yard bomb to Nick Carella for a touchdown in the second quarter to help the Ravens take a 27-14 lead into the half.

After a personal foul helmetto-helmet penalty on Riverside, the Ravens had a chance with under 20 seconds left with the ball at their own 44-yard line to make something happen.

On the next play, Surtz rolled left and fired a pass for to a spot he thought his receiver was going to, but miscommunication hurt the Ravens on the play as the man who tied the game moments earlier, Devlin, was there for the interception to seal the win for Riverside.

“We’re a young team and to overcome a 20-point deficit is huge for this group,” said Riverside coach Dominic Cesare. “Our guys executed in the second half and that was the difference for us.”

Devlin also had a rushing touchdown for Riverside in the win

Riverside’s Khy Moore had a game-high three rushing touchdowns for the Rams.

Hunter Smilow rushed for 114 yards and had a touchdown for the Ravens. Surtz finished with 141 yards passing and 42 yards rushing to go along with his three total touchdowns on the night for Robbinsville.

Robbinsville’s Kyle Johnson had a 45-yard interception return for a touchdown in the loss.

Both Robbinsville and Riverside stand now at 2-3 on the season.

Robbinsville will be back home again next Friday night against Bordentown, while Riverside will host Pitman next week.

Riverside (2-3) 8 6 6 16 — 36 Robbinsville (2-3) 19 8 7 0 — 34

RB — Surtz 18-yard run (FG No Good)

RI — Moore 5-yard run (Devlin run)

RB — Surtz 8-yard run (2-point conversion no good)

RB — Johnson 45-yard interception (Chianese Kick)

RI — Moore 29-yard run (2-point conversion no good)

RB — Surtz 41-yard pass to Carella (Surtz throw)

RB — Smilow 40-yard run (Chianese Kick)

RI — Moore 9-yard run ( 2-point conversion no good)

RI — Devlin 1-yard run (Devlin run)

RI — Devlin 15-yard pass to Parker (Devlin run)