Avery Smith’s five touchdown passes propelled Riverwood past No. 8 Cambridge 40-33 Friday night to force a three-way tie for first place in Region 7-6A.
Smith, who is committed to Toledo, started 6-for-6 passing and finished 13-of-22 for 309 yards. Zach Cigelske had TD receptions of 64 and 41 yards. Tim Dorce had three catches for 50 yards and two touchdowns.
“He’s been doing that all year,’' Riverwood coach Robert Edwards said of Smith. “That is nothing out of the ordinary, and we expect that from him week in and week out. He rose to the occasion. He gives us the energy we need both offensively and defensively. He is the driving force.”
The game was tied 14-14 in the second quarter, but Riverwood (7-1, 4-1), playing at home, had the game in control after scoring 20 unanswered points on a 27-yard interception return from Burke Cigelske, and two more touchdown passes from Smith.
The defense also made life miserable for Cambridge quarterback Zach Harris, who threw three interceptions and had some errant throws and tipped passes throughout the night.
“The defense played well,” Edwards said. “They did what they were supposed to do. When we needed them to rise up to make the plays, keep us in the game, and get the win, they did that. They got a pick six which helped put points on the board.”
Cambridge (6-1, 4-1) stayed the course despite a 20-point deficit and made things interesting in the fourth quarter. The defense forced two fumbles, one returned for 42 yards by Ben Ridenour that helped set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Jack Marlow and the other giving Cambridge great field position.
Unfortunately, Cambridge would run out of time but ended the game with 13 points unanswered.
Despite the three turnovers, Harris threw for two touchdowns, 279 yards through the air, and scored a touchdown. Christian Isibor added 11 rushes for 42 yards and a touchdown. Cade Ellington had five catches for 138 yards and one touchdown.
Riverwood will be at Sequoyah next week, and Cambridge will be home against Chattahoochee.
Also tied for the region lead is No. 10 Johns Creek (6-2, 4-1). Johns Creek has beaten Riverwood but lost to Cambridge. The region’s tiebreaker in the event of a three-way tie is point differential in the games among the tied teams. Johns Creek has the edge if all three win their remaining games.
Cambridge 7-7-0-19- 33
Riverwood 14-20-0-6- 40
R - Tim Dorce 20 pass from Avery Smith (Tristan Garcia kick)
R - Alan Reid 18 pass from Smith (Garcia kick)
C - Christian Isibor 1 run (McCall Bennett kick)
C - Drew Petit 9 pass from Zach Harris (Bennett kick)
R - Burke Cigelske 27 interception return (Garcia kick)
R - Zach Cigelske 44 pass from Smith (Garcia kick)
R - Dorce 24 pass from Smith (kick failed)
C - Harris 3 run (Bennett kick)
R - Cigelske 64 pass from Smith 21 (kick failed)
C - Jack Marlow 2 run (conversion failed)
C - Cade Wellington 5 pass from Harris (no attempt)
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