HARVARD CUP CHAMPIONSHIP
Riverside showers itself in Cup victory
Frontiers’ Davis selected MVP
Tony Truilizio didn’t see the Gatorade bucket of ice water coming his way, but on a 30-degree day, he sure felt it.
The Riverside coach was doused in the waning seconds of Thursday’s 105th Harvard Cup Championship, a 26-8 victory for the Frontiers over Grover Cleveland.
“It’s the best cold shower I ever had in my life,” he said.
The traditional Thanksgiving Day game was played before an estimated 4,000 at All High Stadium. Temperatures were brisk, but there was no wind or precipitation. An inch of snow that had fallen Wednesday had been pushed to the sidelines.
Truilizio left his team very little margin for error in what would constitute a successful season. The Frontiers lost to McKinley in last season’s Harvard Cup, 22-14, in overtime.
“I said from Day One of practice it’s a failed year if we don’t win the Harvard Cup,” he said. “Last year left a very bitter taste in our mouth. These guys all knew that we had an agenda.”
Riverside did not leave All High disappointed.
When it came to choosing the game’s MVP, there were many candidates. The award went to Frontiers senior fullback Julius Davis. He enjoyed a big push from his offensive line all game to finish with 137 yards on just eight carries. He also scored a touchdown and recovered an onside kick.
“I’m a senior. I’ve played football for 12 years,” said Davis. “I did it for my brothers. Basically, I give this to my offensive line for making me do what I do. Our defense stopped them, and they were where they were supposed to be.”
The Cup is Riverside’s first since 2004 and the 12th in its history. The Frontiers finish with a 10-1 overall record with its only loss coming to Section V Class A champion Aquinas. Grover Cleveland, making a bid for its first Cup since 1991, closes 6-5.
The Presidents struggled all game to put together sustained drives. Sophomore quarterback Chris Holland provided the bulk of the offense scrambling after he was forced out of the pocket. He finished with 143 yards rushing on 22 attempts. But his biggest contribution came on an electrifying 94-yard kickoff return in the third quarter that ended Riverside’s bid for its sixth shutout.
“My brother, No. 1 [Keyon Means Edwards], laid a key block on Trent Alls to make me break loose on that play and a couple other blocks that allowed me to get into the end zone,” said Holland. “I’m always trying to wait for the blocks to set up.”
The special teams miscue was one of the few for Riverside, which was led in tackles by Alls with seven followed by Adonte Williams with five and 1z sacks. Jordan Smith had a fumble recovery.
“Our defensive coordinator, Anthony Adams, did a tremendous job, a great game plan,” said Truilizio, “and with that being said, we had a senior group of linebackers that just did a great job.”
The first half ended scoreless. It didn’t take long for Riverside to establish itself in the second half as it scored 54 seconds apart on its first two possessions of the third quarter.
Terrell Bolden scored on a 21-yard run up the middle for the game’s first points. Grover Cleveland turned the ball over on the ensuing kickoff and Troy Williams scored on a 1-yard run three plays later. Williams finished with 118 yards on eight carries to finish the season with 777 yards while Bolden added 80 on 10 tries.
Grover Cleveland climbed within 12-8 on Holland’s kickoff return, but Riverside broke the game open with a 14-point fourth quarter. Davis scored on a 12-yard run and David Drayton followed with a 1-yard run.
“It seemed like we had our defense on the field the whole second half,” said Grover Cleveland coach Tony Alessi. “They killed us with time of possession. [Offensively] we couldn’t get in a rhythm, then once we got in rhythm, penalties would kill a drive or we’d have a turnover. You can’t makes mistakes against a good team and they’re a very good team.”
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