River Bluff Advances to 2nd Round After Strong Game vs Cane Bay

Darius Carter’s three touchdown receptions helped the River Bluff Gators defeat Cane Bay and advance to the second round of the AAAAA-Division I Lower State Playoffs.

Carter hauled in six receptions for 168 yards to lead the Gators. He had touchdown catches of 2, 32, and 47 yards, scoring in all but the third quarter.

Surprisingly, though, the run game took center stage Friday night in The Swamp.

River Bluff had 41 running plays totalling 190 yards, with Gator running back Hayden Myers accounting for 156 of those on 28 attempts. Cane Bay accumulated 277 yards on 58 rushing plays. Of the 125 total offensive plays run in the game, nearly 80% were running plays.

Still, River Bluff got their points through the air, something Cane Bay was unable to do.

The Cobras did strike first, however, taking the opening drive, chewing up nearly half of the first quarter, and scoring the game’s first touchdown. They wouldn’t score again until late in the fourth. By then, River Bluff had the game in hand.

Liam Flynn would cap the night for the Gators with a 35-yard field goal with just over a minute remaining in the game.

Reece Huffstetler (14) and Josiah Robinson (13) led the Gators in tackles and the defense came up big, forcing three fumbles on the night.

The win advances River Bluff to the second round of the Lower State playoffs, where they will travel to Stratford High School to face the Knights. That game is scheduled for Friday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m.