MONROE — Riverside Military football coach Nick Garrett knew his team would need a special effort in the first round of the GHSA playoffs.
The Eagles provided it -- and then some -- to notch a 24-14 victory over George Walton Academy in Monroe, claiming the program's first-ever GHSA playoff victory as the No. 23-seeded Riverside knocked off the No. 10 Bulldogs.
"We executed the game plan to a T; these kids have been working so hard, and we're putting it all together at the right time," Garrett said. "This is just a feeling of overwhelming joy. These kids have been so eager and passionate, and it's been incredible to see them keep improving."
Jordan Battle churned out a game-high 191 yards rushing. The Eagles offense controlled the clock with a gruesome ground game, racking up 301 yards.
This game was a tale of two halves with both teams lighting up the scoreboard in the first half. George Walton struck first, cashing in a Riverside interception. The Eagles answered on the ensuing drive but missed the extra point. The Bulldogs were up 7-6.
Later in the second quarter, Battle put the Eagles back on top 13-7 with a 61-yard TD. George Walton, however, would score before the half, taking a one-point lead to the field house, 14-13.
The second half was all Eagles. Issac Teasley hit Shad Dabney on a 54-yard scoring strike with 4:50 left in the game. Teasley tacked on the 2-point try, giving the Eagles a 21-14 lead. Later in the quarter, the Eagles went to the bag of tricks when Kalide Duke converted on a fake punt. The fake set up a Michael Medichi field goal try. With ease, Medichi booted it 36 yards with 2:28 left to confirm the Eagles playoff victory.
The Eagles (6-5) have won five of their last seven -- including a 20-19 win over top 10-ranked Commerce on Oct. 26 -- and will now get a chance to face Fellowship Christian in the second round of the Class A private playoffs.
"They have the No. 1 rushing offense in the state, but I know we'll put something together to try and slow that down," Garrett said. "And I know that we're ready for that challenge."
