Trailing 30-12 in the third quarter, the Riverview Middle School football team never game up and rebounded to take a 39-38 victory over Pickens Middle School last week in Jasper.

Making the Sept. 13 win even more exciting was the fact that the Eagles had not recorded a win up until this point this season.

"It was a huge win because it keeps us in the playoff hunt," said head coach Benjy Edwards. "The guys never gave up."

If Riverview can defeat Jasper Middle on Thursday, the Eagles will qualify for the Mountain League playoffs with a No. 4 seed.

If they lose to Jasper, who comes into the game with an 0-5 record, then a tie breaker will come into effect.

Eagle quarterback Cullen Reed had a big game for Riverview. Reed threw for four touchdowns on offense and picked up an interception on defense.

With the game tied 12-12 at halftime, Pickens opened the third quarter with a flourish.

The Dragons scored on the first play from scrimmage to start the third quarter to take a 20-12 lead.

On Riverview's first play the team stripped the ball and a Pickens defender ran it in for a touchdown. The Eagles trailed 30-12 early in the second half.

Things didn't look good for Edwards' team.

On the first play after the kickoff, Riverview fumbled again and Pickens recovered.

This time the Riverview defense held its ground. After a couple of big stops, Reed intercepted a Dragon pass, sparking the Eagles.

The Riverview offense came alive.

Connor Bearden scored on a long pass from Reed that cut Pickens lead to 30-18. Eagle Dustin Ray had a diving catch for the 2-point conversion. Pickens lead was still 30-20.

Bearden had three touchdown catches during the game.

Pickens scored once more to take a commanding 38-20 advantage.

Riverview responded with two touchdowns to cut the lead to 38-32 with just under three minutes remaining.

The Eagle defense made a huge stop to give the ball back to the offense.

Edwards and his staff pulled out a little trickery. With the team still trailing and the clock running down, running back Timothy Moody hit Dylan Thomas on a halfback pass. Moody then kicked the extra point. With 1:42 to go in the game Riverview led 39-38.

It was the second halfback pass of the game for Moody and Thomas. They scored in the first half on the same play.

The Eagle defense then needed a stop.

With 16 seconds remaining, Hunter Ramey intercepted a Dragon pass to seal the game.

"The offense executed well under pressure. I am proud of the team for not giving up and fighting back to get the victory," Edwards said.