DAVENPORT, Iowa (KWQC) – Two weeks remain in the Illinois high school football regular season, and the TRAC’s spotlight game of the week features undefeated Riverdale hosting Erie-Prophetstown.
Four years ago, Riverdale did not have a varsity team. Now the Rams are 7-0 for the first time ever.
Riverdale’s season by the numbers
The Rams are averaging 26.6 points per game and have held opponents to 14 points or less in every game except their week three matchup against Mendota.
Head coach Guy Dierikx said the quality and character of his players, along with building off their foundation, has stood out to him about how his team is playing.
Senior quarterback Abram Krier said the game carries added significance because of the rivalry.
“I think this is a special rivalry, it’s Route 2 and this is probably the biggest game in this rivalry history and being able to be a part of that is special,” Krier said. “Discipline and being physical at the point of attack. You know they have some great offensive linemen there and they run hard and their linebackers come down hard and they’re not afraid to be physical. But we can also do that and we’ve done that all year and I think we have to keep doing that.”
Junior Lucas Dunbar said the team will need to manage the atmosphere of the game.
“We’re going to have to play smart. You know, it’s going to be good energy. Senior night, it’s going to be a pretty big game. Should be a lot of people there. We’re going to have to stay disciplined, listen, just play physical and play hard,” Dunbar said.
Dierikx compared Erie-Prophetstown to looking into a mirror.
“It’s like looking into the mirror. You know, they’re a great team with a lot of players that have played for, you know, two, three, been starters for two and three years. And so they’re big up front. They have quality skills. Everything runs through their quarterback. And so for us, being able to being able to control him at the same time, make plays when we have opportunities and take advantages of those opportunities when we have them is definitely what we need to do in order to control this game,” Dierikx said.
Erie-Prophetstown fights for conference positioning
For Erie-Prophetstown, the game carries conference stakes. The Panthers are tied for second with Rockridge, with Riverdale in front.
E-P is 6-1 on the season, with its only loss coming against Rockridge two weeks ago.
Head coach Tyler Whitebread said the group is resilient and faced struggles in early games but has found ways to win.
“I think offensively we need to create some big plays. We’ve been able to do that throughout this year. We have to find a way, whether that’s through the running game or the passing game. And then defensively, we have to create takeaways. We know Riverdale is going to create some yardage. They’re going to move the ball on us. But it’s a mentality of bending, not breaking,” Whitebread said.
Senior quarterback Evan Steimle said the team needs to limit mistakes.
“I mean, it’s going to be a tough game, but it’s going to be a fun game. And we have to keep the game easy and not limit mistakes. So just being the best we can all four quarters and just working together. I think that’s the biggest thing, being a team,” Steimle said.
Senior Derek Naftcger said the rivalry extends beyond football.
“It’s super exciting, especially with Riverdale because we’re rivals with them, I would say, and basketball, football, just in all sports. And it’s just super exciting that we are two good teams this year that are gonna fight hard to win,” Naftcger said.
Live pregame coverage will air from Port Byron Friday, with highlights to follow on the Highlight Zone Friday at 10.
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