WARSAW - It certainly wasn't a work of art but in the end it was a victory and that's all that matters to the River View football team.
The Black Bears overcame 12 penalties and three turnovers to claim a victory over Marietta 19-14 on Homecoming Night.
"I can't say enough about our defense," RV coach Josh Lahmers said. "We repeatedly gave them the short field but our defense answered the bell every time."
Article Photos
JULIE AMES Special to The Times
Marietta High’s Quinton Coffield (10) runs the ball with River View defenders in pursuit during the first quarter of play in Warsaw Friday night. The Tigers dropped a 19-14 decision.
The eventual game-winning score came with 1:54 left in the fourth quarter when Clay Holsclaw barrelled in from 2 yards out on a 4th-and-goal play.
"We had a lot of guys come through tonight," Lahmers said.
The game-winning score came four plays after John Brillhart had found Devin Smith on a 48-yard gain to set up the Bears at the Tigers' 10.
The hosts got on the board first wuth 5:47 left in the first quarter when Brandon Adams scored from 4 yards out making it 6-0.
The Tigers came right back and took a 7-6 lead when Anthony Kimbrough went in from 1 yard out and Brent Huck kicked the PAT with 2:13 in the first.
The Bears took the lead into the locker room when Dillon Shepler scored from 1 yard out on 4th-and-goal to cap a 19-play, 77-yard drive with 51 seconds left in the 2nd quarter.
"At times we were okay on offense but we need to get better," Lahmers said. "There were just way too many mistakes."
Marietta took a 14-13 lead at the 7:29 mark of the third quarter when Quinton Coffield raced 62 yards for a score.
RV outgained Marietta 292-192 in the game with Adams and Holsclaw combining for 164 yards on the ground. Brillhart tossed for 111 yards on the night as well. "John had a good ball game as did Seth," Lahmers said. "It goes without saying that Brandon and Clay were huge tonight especiakky with us having 2 new starters tonight on offense."
"With all that being said we still have to get better on both sides of the ball."
