By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Riverside was exactly where Coach Tim Taffi wanted them to be as they faced St. Thomas Aquinas on the road last Friday night – down four, with a chance to win, heading into the fourth quarter.

But then the Falcons showed exactly how they’ve earned their lofty No. 7 ranking in Class 2A.

STA closed out the game with 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, toppling Riverside 41-16.

The Falcons leaned heavily on its running game, especially late. St. Thomas Aquinas gained 232 yards on 36 carries. It also blocked a punt that led to a touchdown, and returned a kickoff in the second quarter that erased a Riverside lead for good.

“Our defense played well enough to win,” said Taffi. “Fumbles and mistakes in the kicking game really did us in.

“We made a lot of mistakes against a good football team. We’re  young. But when you make those kinds of mistakes against veteran football teams, you lose.”

Riverside fumbled three times and lost two. STA also intercepted Rebels quarterback Darnell Rachal once.

“You can’t continually do that and put that kind of pressure on the defense,” Taffi said.

St. Thomas Aquinas outgained Riverside in total offense by a single yard, 308 to 307.

Riverside defeated St. Thomas Aquinas a season ago, but the tables have turned – the veteran Rebel offense of a year ago has seen key seniors move on. But maybe more importantly, the Falcons brought back almost their entire squad this year – 19 starters in all.

“It’s a key element of success,” said Taffi. “They’ve built great chemistry.”

Bobby Smith had a big night, catching three passes for 71 yards and two scores from Rachal, from 46 and eight yards away, respectively. Rachal was 7-of-15 for 197 yards. He also ran nine times for 25 yards. Jake Roussel led the Rebels in rushing, carrying 11 times for66 yards. And Austin Vicknair hauled in two catches for 85 yards.

Matt Graves added a field goal from 25 yards away in the second quarter.

St. Thomas Aquinas led 14-10 at halftime, and 20-16 after three quarters.