Rams Get First Win In Frontier League

Following two easy victories over former Northeast A League foes, Riverside High got its official welcome - and initial victory - in the Frontier League.

Riverside continued to dominate both sides of the football, but its 24-6 win over Pullman was a definitive moment in coach Allen Martin’s program, even after back-to-back NEA titles and a state A championship.

“The monkey’s off our back,” said Martin, of the win over last year’s Frontier League runnerup.

This week the Rams will be tested by unbeaten East Valley but Martin didn’t sound particularly concerned.

“Defensively we’re pretty good inside the 20s,” he said. “We give a little but inside the red zone we’re pretty tight.”

Much of that has had to do with a secondary which Martin said is the best since he’s been at Riverside.

“What you’re seeing is I’ve been here five years and the seventh and eighth grade program is kicking in,” said Martin of the Ram’s success. “They’ve gone through the system.”

Players have been moved around. Former defensive backs are now linebackers and linebackers have become linemen, but the basic scheme offensively and defensively remains the same.

Third-year quarterback Joel Schurz has been a key, passing for five touchdowns and rushing for three more.

But Martin has pointed to other players, such as Matt Morin who shifted from line to fullback, and rushing leader Jared Hansen who have contributed to Riverside’s success.

“Kids have stepped up, not just Schurtz,” he said. “The whole offensive front has done well and basically they’re juniors. There’s one senior but he didn’t play last year.”

Containing EV running back Jesse Ewell and forcing the Knights to throw into Riverside’s defensive backfield is the Ram goal Friday.

“Against Pullman we could find tendencies,” said Martin. “EV is pretty smart with its offense. It will be a chess match.”

, DataTimes