Cloverdale, Riverton Parke ready to tangle in season opener

When Cloverdale head football coach Tyler Lotz looks back on last season, he does so with pride.

The Clovers posted a 5-5 record and picked up the most wins since 2017. 

For as happy as he was with the success, one thing stands out -- the close losses.

And, that includes a 34-33 season opening setback against Riverton Parke. On Friday, the Clovers get a chance for revenge, as they make the trip to Rockville for the GIANT fm WAXI Game of the Week. Pregame coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m. and kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. on 104.9. 

"Our team is excited to start the season and get an opportunity at these guys, especially after we feel like we gave one away last year," Lotz told GIANT fm. 

Riverton Parke, who finished 8-4 last year, knows it will be in for a battle, according to veteran head coach Brad Sanders.

"Cloverdale looks very good on film, and are extremely athletic. They do a lot of good things and their kids play hard. They have benefitted, I am told, by some transfers, and I think that they will be our toughest opponent this season. We barely got by them last season winning by one point, and I fully expect them to come to play," Sanders told GIANT fm. 

According to Lotz, the Panthers will be a quality opponent for the Clovers.

"Riverton Parke is no easy feat. They're big and physical and run an offense that can be hard to stop with us not having the size they have," Lotz admitted. 

According to Sanders, the Panthers are not where he would like them to be heading into week one. 

"We are not where I would like us to be at the moment. Maybe every coach feels that way week one. We have great numbers, tons of experience, size and strength, but I have yet to see the hunger we showed in our play last season. We have had high expectations for our current juniors and seniors since they started playing in their youth days, so maybe some of that stress and worry is self inflicted on our part. If we show up to play with the right mindset, we will be a tough out for anyone we play this season. We definitely still have some work to do," Sanders said. 

The clock is ticking on getting the work done, as Sanders knows a hungry Cloverdale team awaits.

"We felt like last season we were very lucky to get out there with the win. Anything can happen week one, and, usually, whoever makes the least mistakes has an opportunity to win. We know we are playing a good football team Friday night," Sanders said.