SCORING SUMMARY
Modesto Ch. 0 14 0 0 — 14
River Islands 0 22 0 8 — 30
Second quarter
R — Jordan Acaya 36 run (Gabriel Esqueda pass from Daryl Carpenter), 11:46.
R — Christian Dell’Osso 13 pass from Carpenter (Esqueda pass from Carpenter), 6:03.
M — Jameel Harrison 87 pass from Cristian Gonzales (pass failed), 5:27.
R — Michael Figueroa 36 pass from Carpenter (pass failed), 4:22.
M — Tevita Tuakalau 31 pass from Gonzales (Tamaseaula Mahafutau run), 3:00.
Fourth quarter
R — Acaya 13 pass from Carpenter (Acaya pass from Carpenter), 8:45.
River Islands made school history again at the expense of Modesto Christian on Friday, downing the Crusaders 30-14 for its first home victory.
Last year, the Riptide won 12-0 at MC for its first-ever win at the varsity level.
“We really needed this win,” River Islands quarterback Daryl Carpenter said. “We could have done better, but a win is a win. Winning is the best feeling in football. I love my team, and this was a great team win today.”
The junior had his best game of the early season, completing 18 of 28 passes for 258 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He made several big plays while scrambling, including his touchdown toss to Jordan Acaya that gave the Riptide (1-2) its two-score lead in the fourth quarter.
On fourth-and-goal from the 15, Carpenter broke away from a tackle attempt behind the line of scrimmage and rolled to his left before spotting his running back open up the middle. Acaya took it from there, running over defensive back Xavier Powell near the goal line for the touchdown. Carpenter again hit Acaya on the two-point conversion, capping the final score with 8:45 remaining.
Acaya also scored the first points of the game on a 36-yard scamper 14 seconds into the second quarter. He finished with 118 yards on 14 carries to go with three catches for 33 yards.
Christian Dell’Osso, back from an ankle injury, caught eight passes for 114 yards and a touchdown. Michael Figueroa added six receptions for 103 yards and a TD. Lucas Ruiz helped put the game away with hard running in the end, rambling for 76 yards on three sweeps.
“I trust my receivers, and I trust myself whenever I need to scramble,” Carpenter said. “All of my receivers are fast, so I know somebody is going to be open.”
Modesto Christian (0-3), to its credit, was competitive for much of the game. The Crusaders, who haven’t won a game in two years, underwent a coaching change earlier in the week and started the game with 16 players suited up. Two left the game with injuries, and another was ejected.
Cristian Gonzales hooked up with sophomore Jameel Harrison for the longest play from scrimmage, an 87-yard touchdown that closed MC in 16-6 during a high-scoring second quarter. He later targeted freshman tight end Tevita Tuakalau for a 31-yard touchdown. Gonzales finished 11 of 21 for 223 yards.
River Islands missed multiple opportunities to intercept passes and finally got a pick from Jayden Yong in the final minute of the third quarter. That turnover set up Acaya’s touchdown reception.
Defensive lineman Jacob Clark came up with a sack on Modesto Christian’s final offensive drive.
“That’s two second-half shutouts for us the last two weeks,” River Islands coach Nick Hardenbrook said. I can’t give our defensive coordinator Scott Johnson enough credit. He has flipped this program around defensively. We have a different attitude.”
The Riptide enter its bye week with some needed momentum heading into Mother Lode League play. River Islands travels to Big Valley Christian of Modesto on Sept. 19.
The break comes at a good time, as several players are hobbled with injuries, including standout fullback/linebacker Alex Henry III.
“It’s the perfect time coming right before league,” Hardenbrook said. “It gives us a chance to get our bodies right, because we’re about to take on the gauntlet. We’re about to hit four strong teams.”
Following the Big Valley Christian game, River Islands faces the reigning tri-champions — Calaveras, Linden and Summerville — in succession.
