Bulldogs rally too late in 28-14 loss

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YUNET JOMOLCA Ida Baker junior Darryl Gary (8) gets through the Riverdale defensive backfield before meeting opposition during Friday night’s spring football game.

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YUNET JOMOLCA Senior Jacob York finds some running room during Ida Baker’s 28-14 spring football loss to Riverdale Friday night.

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YUNET JOMOLCA Riverdale’s Cordaveous Brown (left) is met by five Ida Baker defenders during Friday’s spring football game. Riverdale prevailed 28-14.

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YUNET JOMOLCA Quarterback Sean Francis unleashes a pass downfield during the second quarter of Ida Baker’s spring game loss to Riverdale Friday night.

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Ida Baker junior Darryl Gary came up with two key plays in the second half Friday to spark a comeback attempt by the Bulldogs against visiting Riverdale.

It was the big plays, though, that the Bulldogs gave up through the air that proved too much to overcome in a 28-14 loss in a spring football game.

Riverdale quarterback Nathan Gahafer completed 10-of-19 passes for 257 yards and three touchdowns. He also completed a 52-yard pass to receiver Kyle Waldrop, which set up another score.

Waldrop scored on a 33-yard reception and finished with 150 yards on five receptions.

“(Gahafer) is one of the better passing quarterbacks in the area,” Baker coach Brian Conn said. “They kind of picked us apart for awhile, but we settled in and put together some drives, and then it became a more balanced game.”

After Riverdale went ahead 21-0 near the 8:30 mark of the third quarter, the Bulldogs got a spark from Gary, who returned a kickoff across midfield to the Raiders’ 43.

Quarterback Sean Francis completed two passes to Jake York, which netted 28 yards, and Francis capped the touchdown drive with a short sneak.

On Riverdale’s ensuing possession, Gahafer tried a pass down the middle of the field, but Gary snatched it away from Waldrop for the interception. Christian Rivera also had an interception for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs cut it to 21-14 early in the fourth quarter when Andrew Haynes scored on a 20-yard run and caught the conversion pass from Francis.

The Raiders put the game away with a 15-play scoring drive which took up most of the fourth quarter.

“The outcome wasn’t what we wanted,” Conn said, “but the spring game is there to show you what you need to improve on. It’s always good to play a team like Riverdale.”

The varsity portion consisted of three quarters. It followed the first quarter, which featured junior varsity players.

Riverdale won the JV quarter, 16-0. Quarterback Jeff Colton scored on a one-yard run and after a Baker fumble, he completed a 16-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Greenwell.

Riverdale 7 14 7 – 28

Ida Baker 0 6 8 – 14

Second Quarter

R – Garrett Greenwell 3 run (Mark DeBoy kick)

Third Quarter

R – Denzel Hagan 55 pass from Nathan Gahafer (DeBoy kick)

R – Kyle Waldrop 33 pass from Gahafer (DeBoy kick)

IB – Sean Francis 1 run (kick blocked)

Fourth Quarter

IB – Andrew Haynes 20 run (Haynes pass from Francis)

R – Josh Edwards 7 pass from Gahafer (DeBoy kick).