Football: Riverview 13, Durant 12

DURANT — Everything was going according to plan for Durant on Friday night, with coach Mike Gottman on the cusp of his 100th win and the Cougars looking to go 2-0 on the season.

But Riverview had other plans in the second half, rallying to win 13-12 at Ron Frost Stadium.

“We don’t give up and we don’t do anything that’s going to get ourselves beat,” coach William Mosel said. “We stay in our game and do the things we need to do.”

Durant started strong, leading 12-0 at the end of the first two quarters thanks to a pair of touchdowns from Elian Gonzalez and Izaya Miller. But Mosel said he wasn’t nervous about the fact that his team was down by two scores on the road.

“We talked at halftime and I told them playing their game and doing what they’re supposed to do, they would be just fine,” Mosel said. “I’m proud of them.”

A more relaxed demeanor in the second half and a few big plays gave Riverview the edge to finish out the night in comeback fashion.

The Sharks offense started to click late in the third quarter as quarterback Stazion Gage, who had 155 yards rushing and three TDs in the season opener, finally hit his stride. Mosel said he couldn’t have been prouder of his sophomore, who was starting in only his second varsity game.

“There’s nothing I can’t put on his head that he doesn’t do well,” Mosel said.

Gage launched a pass into the open field, finding Cheyenne Greaves, who ran 99 yards for the Sharks’ first score. A successful extra point pulled Riverview within five with 1:40 to go in the third quarter, giving the Sharks the boost they needed to finish off the night.

Riverview took the lead in the fourth quarter on another big play. This time Gage faked a handoff to his right, only to find senior Jordan Schell in the end zone on a 22-yard reception. The Sharks claimed the lead for good with a little over seven minutes remaining.

Things got tense in the final eight seconds as Durant had multiple chances at a winning field goal.

The Cougars had third and 10 at the 14-yard line when they came up just short of a first down. Durant senior kicker Edgar Posadas Jr. stepped onto the field to attempt a 29-yard field goal (after missing a previous extra point). After a pair of Riverview penalties, Durant shifted to the 4-yard line.

The ball was snapped and Posadas Jr. made contact with the ball, but the Sharks swarmed, blocking the attempt. A sea of white jerseys flooded the field with the win in hand.

It didn’t take much time for Gage to find his coach. The quarterback came up next to Mosel with a grin as wide as Greaves’ 99-yard run and enveloped his mentor in a hug.

“It’s a lot of everything right now,” Gage said after his second win. “It was a close game, but we really came out with the W.”

Gage said the constant communication with his offensive line helped in the second half, with both sharing what they were seeing on the field and making adjustments as needed.

Both Mosel and Gage credited Riverview’s defense for the second-half turnaround.