The Riverside Panthers will square up and face Our Lady of Sacred Heart on Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Moon High School in the opening round of the WPIAL Class 2A Playoffs.
Riverside finished 4-3 in Class 2A Midwestern Conference, earning a 9-seed in the 13-team playoff picture, surprising many including their coach.
“They played far better than I expected this year,” says head coach Rob Magnifico. “They out performed my expectations.”
Defense has been key to the Panthers success this season as the unit only allowed 14 points a game this year, a stark contrast and improvement over the 37 points per game allowed just last year.
Offensively, Magnifico points to the Panthers offensive line as an area of strength entering the playoffs and will lean on two key offensive players Friday against OLSH.
“The steadiest performers this year were my running back Robbie Janis and my tight end Zack Hare,” says Magnifico. “These two were the keys to winning games.”
The biggest surprise this year according to Magnifico is freshman quarterback Aidan Gaydosz.
“He has improved and matured through the season and has become a leader on offense.”
Friday nights game will pit the Panther freshman against a formidable senior starter for OLSH.
6’5″ senior Vann Kavals will lead an offense attack for the Chargers who finished 5-4 overall and an even 3-3 in the Class 2A Allegheny Conference.
“Kavals is a big quarterback and can throw the ball so we are preparing to stop what he does,” says Magnifico.
Last Friday, OLSH knocked off Keystone Oaks 20-19 behind Kavals who tossed for 212 yards while rushing for 83 yards, scoring two touchdowns in the victory. 5’8″ freshman running back Demar Chatfield scored on a game-deciding 15-yard scamper in the fourth quarter.
Riverside will enter Friday looking to continue to make its mark on the 2024 season. The Panthers played tight contests against #3 seeded Ellwood City, losing 13-9, and #5 seeded Western Beaver, losing 21-10, during its regular season. Two weeks ago, Janis rumbled for 228 yards and three touchdowns as Riverside shutout Beaver Falls 31-0.
“The biggest takeaway is that we are a better team than people have given us credit for and we can compete with the best teams in the section,” adds Magnifico.
With a victory, Riverside would advance to face top seeded Seton LaSalle in the quarterfinals.
“Seton is a very solid team with a lot of good skill guys,” concludes Magnifico. “We will approach them the same way we approached the Ellwood and Western game. Stop what they are good at and make them dig into their play book.”
Seton LaSalle, South Park, and Ellwood City – each conference winners – all received first round byes in the WPIAL Class 2A Playoffs
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