The Riverview Middle School football team defeated Pickens County Middle School, 41-0, on Oct. 5 in Dawsonville. Head Coach Mark Thomason’s team finished the season with a 5-2 record.

The Eagles had hoped to be in the championship game against Union County, but Fannin County spoiled their chances with an 18-8 win over Clear Creek.

Riverview scored early and often against the visiting Dragons from Jasper.

Running back Sal Mendoza started the offensive explosion with an 8-yard touchdown run just 5:40 into the first quarter. Mendoza added the extra point and Riverview held a 7-0 lead.

Mendoza was five-for-six on extra point attempts for the game.

Eagle Levi Whitmire scored the second touchdown with 7:21 left before halftime from 2-yards out. Whitmire also added another touchdown from 22-yards out that gave Riverview a 20-0 lead with 4:06 remaining in the second quarter.

Whitmire finished the afternoon with 105 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Thomason’s defense rose to the occasion when linebacker Grant Brown scooped up a Pickens fumble at the 41-yard line and sprinted down to the 15-yard line before being tackled from behind.

One play later the Eagles were back in the end zone with a Whitmire touchdown run. Riverview held a commanding 27-0 lead.

The Eagles added one more score before intermission. Brown recovered his second fumble and returned the football down to the 9-yard line.

After a penalty for holding, Riverview quarterback Zach Buchan found a wide-open Brown in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown pass as the buzzer sounded ending the first half. Riverview led 37-0 at intermisison.

The Riverview defense caused Pickens to cough up the football one more time in the third quarter. Linebacker Jacob Lord forced a Dragon running back to loose control of the ball. Austin Buice recovered for the Eagles.

The Eagles added one more score in the fourth quarter on a Tyler Butler to Allen Sherwood 48-yard touchdown pass with only 4:29 remaining in the game.

The final score was Riverview 41, Pickens 0.

The game was the fifth time of the season that Riverview’s defense had held the opposing team scoreless.

“We were led today by Gavin Brown, Jacob Lord and Austin Buice. I also thought that Brenden Capps played well on the defensive line,” Thomason said.

“Overall I was really happy with the way we played on both sides of the ball,” Thomason added. “The offense played really well. The offensive line blocked well and all of our backs ran well.”