Rivercrest shuts out Manila 35-0

Rivercrest's multi-talented Robert Cooney ran for two touchdowns and blocked a Manila punt to score a third touchdown, leading the Colts to a 35-0 shutout of the Lions Friday night at Wilson in 3A-3 conference football action.

Cooney, the speedy Colt quarterback, got Rivercrest on the board with a five yard touchdown run at the 7:24 mark of the opening period. Corbin Smith added the first of his five extra points, giving the Colts a 7-0 advantage.

The shutout was the third of the season for Rivercrest, and kept the Colts unbeaten in conference play, setting up Friday night's showdown with undefeated Earle. The Lions saw their season record drop to 1-5 overall and 0-3 in league play.

Cooney blocked a Shane Lee punt with 59 seconds left in the opening period, giving the Colts a 14-0 advantage before adding a 37-yard touchdown romp at the 10:24 mark of the second quarter. Rivercrest took a 21-0 lead into the dressing room at the half.

Meanwhile, the Colt defense stifled the Lion offensive attack, limiting Manila to only 74 yards of total offense, including 78 on the ground.

Fullback Clayton Carlton scored on a 13 yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, pushing the Colt lead to 28-0. Rivercrest rounded out the scoring on the night when backup quarterback Phillip Porter rambled into the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown scamper with 9:01 left in the game, giving the Colts a 35-0 lead.

Rivercrest finished the night with 180 yards on the ground on 49 plays while Cooney completed two of eight passes for another 19 yards as the Colts finished with 199 yards of total offense on the evening.

Carlton led Rivercrest with six carries for 54 yards while Ty Baber added 37 yards on seven rushes. Porter carried five times for 27 yards, Chris Parker had five totes for 26 yards while Cooney finished the night with 13 rushes for 19 yards.

Jay Kulin led Manila with 10 carries for 35 yards while Shane Lee had seven rushes for 19 yards. Tucker Miller carried 14 times for 13 yards while Zach Reinhart rushed five times for six yards. Dylan Bogle carried four times for four yards before leaving the game with an injury. Arturo Gonzalez carried one time for two yards while Rafael Maldonado had one carry for one yard.

"Rivercrest is just so quick," said Manila Coach Jerry Castor. "They are a very good football team. We just couldn't get anything going offensively tonight. I thought our defense played well overall. After looking at the film of the game, we were very close on the big plays that they scored on, so we are getting better defensively every week. I thought Kulin came in and played well. We inserted what we call a wedge play for him and he got some good runs going straight at the Rivercrest defense. We also put Shane Lee at running back and he looks like a natural back there, so hopefully our offense will pick up."

"Dylan Bogle is currently at LeBonheur Hospital in Memphis where he is having some tests run," said Castor. "Dylan had a head to head with collision with one of our players. Hopefully he will be out of the hospital soon and back with us. Arturo Gonzalez was also taken to the hospital. He was released and is doing well."

The Lions return to action Friday night when they host Hoxie in a 7 p.m. contest. The junior Lions will close out their home schedule Thursday night when they host Piggott. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.