Tribune news editor

PEDRO - It was their night and the Rock Hill senior class made sure it ended with a celebration.

With its 14-0 victory over the River Valley Raiders Friday, Rock Hill enjoyed its senior night and improved to 7-1 on the season and 3-0 in Ohio Valley Conference. The Raiders fell to 6-2, 1-2 in the OVC.

"It is hard to beat a shutout,"

Redmen coach Bob McCollister said of what he was most pleased with. "Shutouts are nice. I would have to start with that."

Senior running back James Russell led the way for the Redmen with 187 yards rushing and one touchdown. Several other seniors chipped in with big plays on offense and defense.

"This has been a great senior class. They haven't missed a practice all year," McCollister said. "A couple of years ago they were young and suffered a couple of humiliating losses. They took that as incentive and hit the weight room and worked hard to improve."

River Valley coach Greg Deel agreed that this was the difference.

"When you put their size and strength up front they are better than us in the weight room," he said. "Their strength and work in the weight room was a big factor in winning the ball game."

The Redmen senior leadership showed up early and often.

River Valley had the ball first but had their drive brought to a screeching halt when Redmen senior Donald Cade intercepted a pass near mid-field. But Rock Hill couldn't capitalize and fumbled the ball away.

The Redmen defense forced River Valley into two more punts in the quarter but dropped passes on offense kept Rock Hill from getting on the scoreboard.

"The thing I like best about our offense is that it is flexible enough that we can respond to challenges," McCollister said. "We didn't do a real good job of catching the football. So we went to the ground game and the guys

responded."

After Rock Hill punted early in the second period, River Valley put together a 13-play drive deep into Redmen territory. But senior Josh Clutters sacked the quarterback at the 13-yard line and the drive ended with a missed field goal.

The Redmen took over on their own 20 yard line and drove the distance with a 9-play drive that included more upperclassmen magic. Roger Joseph caught two passes for 30 yards and Kenny Elswick punched the ball into the end zone from one yard out to make the score 7-0.

That score remained as Rock Hill forced a three and out by the Raiders to end the half.

The third quarter was punctuated by fumbles by both teams just as they began to enter the opponents territory.

Rock Hill put together a 13-play 82 yard drive that spanned quarters. Russell made the margin 14-0 two plays into the fourth period when he dashed 6 yards for a touchdown.

After the teams traded punts, River Valley went almost exclusively to the pass and looked as if it might make it close as quarterback Joey Graham completed two passes for 61 yards.

This time it was a sophomore that stepped up as T.J. Blagg intercepted Graham's pass at the Redmen 5-yard line.

"Turnovers have bitten us in several big games," Coach Deel said. "It is not one kid, it is a combination of things. Obviously, you have got to come away with something when when you get the opportunity."

Despite a few miscues, McCollister was pleased overall with the way his team played.

"We are improving. Clearly, we are better on defense but we still have some things to work on," he said. "We are getting better at stopping the run which is the key to high school football."

River Valley0000-0

Rock Hill0707-14

Second Quarter

RH - Kenny Elswick 1 run (Elswick kick) 1:47

Fourth Quarter

RH - James Russell 6 run (Elswick kick) 11:22

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RVRH

First downsRV 11RH 17

Rushes-yardsRV 35-92RH 47-262

Passing yardsRV 126RH 41

Total yardsRV 218RH 303

Cmp-Att-IntRV 7-18-2RH 3-7-0

Fumbles-lostRV 3-1RH 4-2

Punts-average RV 4-31RH 3-28

Penalties-yards RV2-15RH 1-15

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Individual Leaders

RUSHING - River Valley: Joey Graham 16-46, Charley Nibert 9-33, Riley Rice 5-13, Josh Wamsley 3-9, Josh Murphy 2-minus 9. Rock Hill: James Russell 29-187,

Kenny Elswick 8-38, Dan Mullins 7-35, Steven Daily 3-2.

PASSING - River Valley: Joey Graham 6-17-2 116,

Josh Murphy 1-1-0 10.

Rock Hill: Steven Daily 3-7-0 41.

RECEIVING - River Valley:

Riley Rice 4-66, Drew Henson 1-22, Bryan Workman 1-20, Ryan Burger 1-18. Rock Hill: Roger Joseph 3-41.

MISSED FIELD GOAL: Derrick Smith 30.