Riverside’s Ty Martinsen takes a moment to himself during the national anthem Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, before the start of the second round of Class D-2 playoff game in Kenesaw.
Riverside head coach Joe Imus watches film with players (from left) Ty Martinsen and Austin Cook before warming up for their Homecoming game against Elgin/Pope John on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, in Spalding.
Riverside assistant coach Will Wragge (top left) and head coach Joe Imus watch as the team warms up for their Homecoming game against Elgin/Pope John on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, in the elementary school gym in Spalding.
A trophy case at Riverside’s Cedar Rapids campus houses accolades from the past four years of 6-man football. This season Riverside played 8-man football with the goal of making it to the state tournament against stiffer competition.
Elgin/Pope John’s head coach Randy Eisenhauer prepares Lane Bartak for a game against the Riverside Chargers on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, against in Spalding. The game was part of Riverside’s homecoming festivities which included a parade, prep rally and a school dance later that evening.
The Riverside charges pray prior to their Homecoming game Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, against Elgin/Pope John in Spalding. At this point in the season the Chargers were undefeated and had a winning streak of 41 straight games. They would go on to win two more games before falling to Humphrey St. Francis. “We always tell our kids to not evaluate our success based on a scoreboard. After the game, I told our kids that I felt better about our performance in that loss than I did in many of our wins during our streak,” Head coach Joe Imus said.
Riverside’s defensive line attacks Kenesaw’s offensive line as the ball soars through the air Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, during the second round of Class D-2 playoffs in Kenesaw. The Kenesaw Blue Devil’s are consistently a state tournament team in 8-man football. Riverside, new to the 8-man game struggled to score touchdowns against the powerhouse.
Riverside’s Joseph Bloom catches a touchdown pass under coverage from Elgin/Pope John’s R.J. Lierman on Friday, Sept. 28, 2018, in Spalding.
Riverside assistant coach Will Wragge helps Michael Bernt off the field Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, after the Charges lost 50-22 to the Kenesaw Blue Devils.
Riverside head coach Joe Imus talks strategy to his players Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, before they take on Kenesaw in the second round of Class D-2 playoffs.
The Riverside football team practices hip drive and tackling technique during practice Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018, in Cedar Rapids.
The Charges strap on their helmets and exit the Boy’s locker room to take on the Kenesaw Blue Devils on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, during the second round of Class D-2 playoffs in Kenesaw.
Riverside’s Michael Bern (18) misses the tackle of Kenesaw running back John Schuster (34) and is trampled by a pack of Blue Devils on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, during the second round of Class D-2 playoffs in Kenesaw.
Riverside head coach Joe Imus gets frustrated with the referees as the Chargers trail behind the Kenesaw Blue Devils Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, during the second round of Class D-2 playoffs in Kenesaw.
Riverside’s Joseph Bloom tears up as the final minutes of second round D-2 playoffs wind down on the clock Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, against Kenesaw. The game was the last of Riverside’s season cutting their season short of their goal to make it to state.