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RACINE, Ohio — Both Southern and River Valley football teams went into Friday night’s game at Roger Lee Adams Memorial Field in Racine with one thing in mind, to get a victory in week one.

With just 20 seconds remaining in regulation and the Raiders ahead by one, no one was sure which team would get that victory. Southern was on the River Valley five yard line when a host of RVHS tacklers stripped and recovered the football ensuring the 13-12 win.

Southern (0-1) junior tailback Tyler Barton punched through the line and into the end zone for six capping off a 13 play 65 yard drive on the Tornadoes’ opening possession. The drive that started with the opening kickoff lasted 5:46 seconds and featured a 24 yard pass from Tristen Wolfe to Paul Ramthun to set SHS up with first and goal.

River Valley (1-0) senior quarterback Austin Whobrey was the main feature of the Raiders’ first drive completing four passes for 37 yards and rushing once for five yards. RVHS senior running back Burnie Stanley took over where Whobrey left off, blasting through the line and into the end zone from two yards out. The Raiders drive lasted 3:11 and went 66 yards in seven plays.

Neither team’s second drive of the game was as successful as their first, both teams managing just one first down each. Penalties slowed both offenses through the remainder of the first half and the score was set at 6-6 for the second half.

River Valley was working on a 10 play drive that began on their own 34 yard line when the Tornadoes’ defense swarmed on the fumbled football and gave momentum to the home sideline.

Using that momentum, and with the aid of some costly penalties be the Raiders, Southern began to march toward the end zone. From 24 yards out Wolfe completed a pass to junior wide receiver Trenton Deem for six points and the lead. Southern’s drive spanned 74 yards in 12 plays.

The Tornadoes defense forced two consecutive three-and-outs but the offense couldn’t expand on the 12-6 lead. With just under six minutes remaining in the game Southern was forced to punt and RVHS senior Austin Davies gave his team superb field position with a 15 yard return to midfield. Three plays later the Raiders found themselves tied, as Whobrey completed a 22 yard pass to Chris Clemente for six points. With a chance to take the lead on the point after River Valley’s Jacob Leach split the uprights and gave the Raiders 13-12 lead.

Southern began it’s drive at midfield with five 4:58 remaining in regulation. After 10 plays the Tornadoes had a second and goal from the five yard line with 22 seconds left. RVHS managed to recover the loose football and run out the clock, taking the 13-12 victory.

The Raiders compiled 197 yards of total offense in their victory, while Southern had 244 total yards. River Valley completed 11-of-20 passes for 95 yards while running for 102. On the ground Southern racked up 195 yards while throwing for 49.

River Valley’s Jon Kostival and Southern’s Wolfe both grabbed interceptions in the game. The Raiders’ Kyle Brown recorded a game-high two sacks on the night leading teammate Ethan Dovenbarger and Southern’s Paul Ramthun, who each finished with one.

Both teams return to action Friday night when River Valley travels to face Adena and Southern host Tri-Valley Conference Hocking Division counterpart South Gallia.

River Valley 13, Southern 12

RV 6-0-0-7 — 13

SHS 6-0-6-0 — 12

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First Quarter

SHS — Tyler Barton 1 run (kick failed) 6:14

RV — Burnie Stanley 2 run (kick failed) 3:03

Third Quarter

SHS — Trenton Deem 24 pass from Tristen Wolfe (run failed) 3:13

Fourth Quarter

RV — Chris Clemente 22 pass from Austin Whobrey (Jacob Leach kick) 4:58

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First Downs — RV: 11, SHS: 15;

Rushing Yards — RV: 29-102, SHS: 54-195;

Passing Yards — RV: 95, SHS: 49;

Total Yards — RV: 197, SHS 244;

Comp-Att-Int — RV:11-20-1, SHS: 2-5-1;

Fumbles-Lost — RV: 1-1, SHS: 2-2;

Penalties-yards — RV: 7-50, SHS: 10-75;

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RUSHING — RV: Austin Whobrey 15-70, Burnie Stanley 8-25, Austin Lewis 4-14, Chris Clemente 2-(-7); SHS: Tyler Barton 24-121, Tristen Wolfe 17-55, Trenton Deem 2-12, No. 45 1-7, Paul Ramthun 1-0.

PASSING — RV: Austin Whobrey 11-20-1 95; Southern: Tristen Wolfe 2-5-1 49.

RECIEVING — RV: Chris Clemente 6-66, Austin Bradley 3-21, Ethan Dovenbarger 1-20, Kyle Brown 1-10; Southern: Paul Ramthun 1-25, Trenton Deem 1-24.