Riverton Parke off to hot start to football season

Coming into the season, there was a consensus within the Wabash River Conference that the Riverton Parke football team may be a serious contender. 

After last week, that could very well be as the Panthers improved to 3-0, 1-0 after thumping Fountain Central, 34-7. 

"FC made it hard on us. We had to adjust our game plan a little. They packed it in in the middle and took away some of our inside runs. We took what they gave us and ran outside all night. I wasn't comfortable until late in the third quarter," Riverton Parke head coach Bradley Sanders told The Parke County Post. 

In the win, Collett Sanders was 6-of-6 for 72 yards and two touchdowns and added another score on the ground. Sean Vester rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns and reeled in a pass for 30 yards and a score. 

Vester's performance marked the third time Riverton Parke has had a running back eclipse the century mark this season. Defensively, Noah Pope paced the Panthers with 11 tackles. 

Despite the success early, Sanders admits there is still plenty of growth for his team heading into this week's contest against Seeger. 

"Honestly, we feel like we are getting everything out of our offensive line that we can. We feel like there is more there. In the backfield, we are extremely talented. We have had three different kids over 100 yards all three weeks. We have some things to clean up up front, but the main thing is our effort has been there and been really good," Sanders said. 

The Panthers are ranked 11th in this week's Indiana Football Coaches Association Poll, something that is not lost on Sanders. Sanders grew up playing in the program and became the winningest coach in program history earlier this year, but he notes he remembers the lean years as well. 

"We try to stay humble. We haven't accomplished anything we want to accomplish yet. We go day by day, and I know every coach says the same stuff, but we have to keep our nose to the grindstone and get ready for a Seeger team that is 3-0. 

I have been coached by or coached with every coach we have had except for our first coach. I have seen plenty of bad, a little bit of good. I was on teams that took beatings, but to see it get to where it is now is amazing. You can't do anything without the help of others, and I've had a lot of people along the way help. To see it come full circle, opportunity we have and chance to make history is pretty special. We want to do it for the guys before us. We have been everyone's Homecoming and Senior Night, and the doormat, and my goal from day one was to earn some respect. It is our chance and opportunity, and we need to try to take advantage of it," Sanders said. 

Sanders said when he looks back on his time at Parke Heritage, he does so fondly.

"It was a tough road to hoe. Years two and three, I wasn't sure if I would make it. I don't like to be told I can't do something, and it motivates me. I like the challenge of it, but we started building in our youth league and it's paid off. It means a lot knowing all the hard work, hours and time pays off with the wins," Sanders said. 

Seeger enters Friday undefeated, having knocked off the likes of Attica, Lafayette Central Catholic and Benton Central. A season ago, the Panthers picked up a road win over the Patriots, but have never defeated Seeger in back-to-back seasons. 

"Seeger returns a lot of kids. This will be a big one. They have a rich history up there. They look pretty good, and they have some kids up front. We saw them in the summer. They have a rich history, and we are 35-2 against them, but no Riverton Parke team has ever beaten them in back-to-back years. They've won as many or more conference championships than anyone. We know what it means and how big this is for our kids. I can't predict if we will win or lose, but I know our kids will be ready and play hard," Sanders said.