Catch up on archived RIVERHAWK REVIEW reports! Just click on the links below
Introducing the RIVERHAWK REVIEW (9/5) Richland @ CHS (9/19) CHS @ Walla Walla (10/17)
CHS @ Camas (9/5) CHS @ Southridge (9/25) Kennewick @ CHS (10/24)
CHS @ Wenatchee (9/12) October Games (10/1 - 10/17) CHS @ Pasco (10/31)
Follow THE RIVERHAWK REVIEW as Chiawana makes their way toward another title! Click on the links for the reports
1st ROUND PLAYOFF GAME
11/7 vs LEWIS AND CLARK (Spokane)
Riverhawks 24, Tigers 0

2nd ROUND PLAYOFF GAME
11/15 vs A.C. DAVIS (Yakima)
Riverhawks 47, Pirates 7

3rd ROUND PLAYOFF GAME
11/22 vs GONZAGA PREP (Spokane)
Riverhawks 38, Bullpups 3

SEMI-FINAL GAME
11/29 vs GRAHAM-KAPOWSIN (Graham)
Riverhawks 28, Eagles 12

GO 'HAWKS! FINAL GAME
12/6 vs The Bothell Cougars
Tacoma Dome - 7:30 pm


Tuesday, October 28, 2014

10/24 - The mighty Riverhawks level the Lions, HOF linebacker delivers pep talk




October 24, 2014 - PASCO, WASH. -  The Chiawana Riverhawks (7-1, 6-0) and the Kennewick Lions (3-5, 2-4) battle for respect on a chilly fall night. Before the game, the team was privileged to have Hall of Fame All-Pro linebacker Brian Urlacher[INFO] in the locker room for inspiration. It is also Senior Night, and all of the senior football players met with their parents on the field in a respectful and touching display. Fans and players are excited and ready to play.

Kennewick begins play at their own 17. The first snap is a fumble, and the mighty Chiawana Riverhawks now have the ball at the Kennewick 24. Four rigorous run plays later, the pigskin penetrates the pylon plane. At 10:04, the score is 7-0.
After the kick, the Loins have excellent field position near midfield. They go straight to the air, with no avail. Four-and-out, Kennewick turns the ball over. Chiawana has the ball at their own 47.
A useful mix of run and pass forges a nice drive for the 'Hawks. The team pounds and drives, keeping the Lions on their heels. At 4:17 left in the quarter, a short run set up by a nice pass puts another six on the board. The extra point makes the score 14-0.
The kickoff places the Lions at their own 22. Sticking to a strategy based on the passing game, Kennewick moves the ball down the field with interesting inconsistency. A sack, then a couple of passes; a penalty, then a couple of swift strikes to receivers. The Lions make it down to the Chiawana 37.

End of 1st Quarter - Score: Riverhawks 14, Kennewick 0 

Kennewick continues to move the ball with a pass for a first down. A couple of runs takes them further into Riverhawk territory, but an intentional grounding penalty takes the wheels off of their wagon. The drive sputters, and the Lions are forced to turn the ball over at the 30.
After an incomplete pass, the Riverhawks rip off a couple of nice runs for 44 yards. Just inside the Kennewick 30, the mighty Chiawana Riverhawks pass and pound their way into the end zone. After the extra point, the score is 21-0 with 8:05 left in the half.
The kickoff puts the Lions at their own 21. A couple of run plays later and they fumble. The ball is turned over, and Chiawana has the ball at the Kennewick 38. The Riverhawks fumble on their first play from scrimmage, and Kennewick has the ball back again at their own 33. They go three-and-out, and Chiawana has the ball at their own 18.
Chiawana doesn't have much success, and are forced to punt. The Lions begin again with good field position near midfield.
The first couple of plays are passes, with time winding down in the half. After a bit of initial success, the Lions stall, and the drive fizzles. The resulting punt puts Chiawana back at their own 20. Time runs out as Chiawana goes to the ground-and-pound.

End of 2nd Quarter - Score: Riverhawks 21, Kennewick 0 

Chiawana begins play at their own 30. A blistering run for about 37 yards puts them at the Kennewick 33. The mighty Riverhawks continue on by tearing the turf with more run plays. Chiawana makes it down to the Lions 14, where they fumble the ball and turn it over. The Lions begin play at their own 27.
After an incomplete pass, the felines favor fortitude, and run the ball for almost thirty yards on four straight plays. They top off the burst with a pass for 24. The Lions find themselves with a first down at the Chiawana 27. After a short run, Kennewick loses ten with a bad snap. A broken pass forces the punt.
The punt is muffed, and Kennewick begins play at the Riverhawk 7 with a first-and-goal. Kennewick takes full advantage of this gift, and they score a touchdown with 4:12 left in the quarter. An extra point makes the score 21-7.
The Riverhawks start at their own 33. They can't get anything going, and punt the ball. The Lions get good field position again, at their own 42. The crafty Chiawana defense holds down the fort, and Kennewick punts the ball. The 'Hawks begin at their own 15. Again the Lion defense puts the Riverhawks in a fourth-down situation around their own 20.

End of 3rd Quarter - Score: Riverhawks 21, Kennewick 7

The fourth quarter starts with a punt that gives Kennewick great field position at the 50. The Lions start in the air, albeit haltingly. An incomplete pass and a delay of game keeps them from advancing at a steady clip. One bomb to the air ends in an interception, and results in a razzle-dazzle run complete with nice blocks and nifty moves. It is all for naught, however, as offsetting penalties put a replay on the prior down. In the end, Kennewick was forced to punt, and the Riverhawks regain possession at their own 44.
A pass play sets up a first down in Kennewick territory. The next four plays chew up some clock and gridiron as the 'Hawks run the ball. Just inside the 30 of the Lions, the Riverhawks give up the ball on an interception. Kennewick has the ball at their own 24.
The Lions go straight to the air. On eight consecutive pass plays, Kennewick only manages to advance 18 yards, when they turn the ball over on downs. Chiawana has the ball at the Kennewick 43.
The Riverhawks eat up the time by running on all downs. The mighty Chiawana Riverhawks grind away at the defense, and take the ball down to the Kennewick 15, with a first down. The Lion defense will have none of it, as they force Chiawana to turn the ball over on downs deep in Lion territory. Trapped at their own 6 yard-line, the Lions attempt a pass, which is intercepted. The 'Hawks then run out the clock , and finish the game at the Kennewick one-yard line.

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Final Score: Riverhawks 21, Kennewick 7
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Next Week's Game - vs. Pasco (2-5, 3-6) @ Pasco (Edgar Brown Stadium)
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The Hawk Talker's Two Cents

"You can never get complacent because a loss is always around the corner." - Venus Williams

This week, the play of the Riverhawks exposed a virus. This virus will destroy the success of the team, if it is not controlled. The name of the virus is "complacency." Here are the signs of complacency as they applied to the game versus the Kennewick Lions:

- Lack of ball protection, i.e.- interceptions, sloppy carries, fumbles, allowing great field position and muffed punts
- Wrapping up on tackles - completing the play
- Linemen not playing to the whistle
- Receivers not pressing the corners on every play, even run plays

It is hard for starters of a great team to be on their "A" game every play of every contest. There are ways to work on this, however, it takes a coaching staff willing to wander way outside the normal coaching comfort zone. Also, this disease can have an effect on the skippers as well as the players. Complacency can infiltrate a coaching staff in the form of a phrase such as, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," meaning that since they are a great team, they must be doing everything correctly. The next great teams are counting on this, as they formulate plans and work hard to exploit weaknesses. As long as the weaknesses remain, there will be an opportunity for a persistent opposing team to take advantage of this. As long as the starters are complacent, there will be a weakness that can be exploited by alert and competent teams, possibly in the playoffs.
How do you keep a team of starters fired up for a game? How do you "keep them hungry?" One way is to make them earn their position every week. Challenge them individually with certain components of their game to work on that week, and place them side-by-side against another player with those same strengths. For example, if a receiver looks like they have lost a step speed-wise, challenge them to run the best of three 40-yard dashes after every practice with the fastest player on the team. Or, if a player is carrying the ball like a loaf of bread in a game, have them run through a fumble drill every practice until they start protecting the ball. In the case of our mighty Riverhawks, I have a specific solution. Start the second-string team this Friday against Pasco.
I know that it seems radical, but this is exactly the type of coaching decision that will accomplish many things the team needs, going into the playoffs. It instantly creates within the starter a desire to play. The starters will have an opportunity to view their position being played by someone else, and they can evaluate the needs of the position for at least one series, anyway. Also, the second-string players will feel some obligation to step up their game, given the new importance placed on them. Moreover, can you imagine the bit of confusion that will occur if Pasco notices that the starters are not starting? If nothing else, it will provide a distraction that can set the tone of bewilderment for the Bulldog game plan.
This strategy will work if the players practice with this swap in mind all week. The starters will know that they aren't going to start, and they can put a little heat on the backup guys to do a great job. They can work together, and communicate the position details with one another. The idea is not that the starters are going to be benched. The idea is that the starters will have a new, stronger perspective, and their job as a starter will be valued a bit more. It is also important to note that this change doesn't need to be permanent or even long lasting. If we start our second string offense and defense for the first drive of the game, respectively, then the starters can take over for the rest of the game. Even if the result is catastrophic, and the Bulldogs (gasp!) score, I believe that our starters will come back in the game with a sense of purpose, and this will help them to focus in order to win the game decisively. With the playoffs looming, this group of champions can benefit from a bit of outside-the-box thinking that will stimulate their interest and energize their play.
I know that my master plan probably won't be in the cards for this week's game. I am curious to find out what the coaching staff brings to the table to shake things up a bit, and instill some energy into the players. Even if this strategy is used at a few key, visible positions, it will throw off Pasco's game. I am a firm believer in the element of surprise as a tactic, and it would be nice to see some surprises, going forward.
Just my two cents. Please be sure to visit my sponsors. Thanks!

My thanks to those of you following this blog. If you have any pictures, please feel free to send them my way. I will post them as I need them, but I will give you credit when I do. If you like, go ahead and comment below. Who knows how many people are "thinking it" and just need for you to say it? Just be mature, and we can discuss it. If you need to send a pic, or drop me a line, feel free to do so at
hawk.talker@yahoo.com.

H.T.
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 Hawk Talker is an enthusiastic fan of the Chiawana Riverhawks football team. His goal is to provide an accurate and honest review of each game in an effort to summarize the play of the team for others who may be interested. Please visit the links at the right of this page and participate in the poll when you have time. Thanks!
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Monday, October 20, 2014

10/17 - The mighty Chiawana Riverhawks bedevil the Blue Devils in Walla Walla




October 17, 2014 - WALLA WALLA, WASH. - What a great day for football, indeed! The most important game on either team's regular season schedule must be this week's showdown here at Borleske Stadium[WIKI]. The air is hardly stirring, only an occasional breeze to remind the crowd that winter is on the way. The Chiawana Riverhawks (6-1, 5-0) and the Walla Walla Blue Devils (4-3, 4-1) compete for home field advantage come post-season. In addition, both teams bring win streaks to Walla Walla's homecoming game - the hosts have won four straight, and the Riverhawks have won five. One of those streaks ends tonight.

[I was late to the game. With 5:39 left in the first quarter, the score is 0-0.]
With about 4:50 left in the quarter, Walla Walla bombs an 88 yard pass for a touchdown. The extra point is no good, and the score stands at 6-0 with 4:46 to go in the quarter.

The Riverhawks start at their 35 with a pass for about twelve yards and a first down. A couple of gutsy runs later and the 'Hawks have another first down. Unable to generate any yards, they punt, and Walla Walla begins play at their own 25. A run for no gain ends the quarter.

End of 1st Quarter - Score: Riverhawks 0, Walla Walla 6 

Walla Walla has no success at a drive, and punts it. Chiawana begins at their 13, and they go with a ground-and-pound attack, grinding away at the game Blue Devils. Run after run rallies the Riverhawks to their own 40. A nice 50-yard pass puts the 'Hawks at the Walla Walla 8. Chiawana sticks with its bread-and-butter, and runs it in for a score. The extra point is good, and the mighty Chiawana Riverhawks take a 7-6 lead with 5:20 left in the half.
The Blue Devils go three-and-out, and Chiawana gets the ball near midfield. The Riverhawks get back on their horse and march the pigskin straight down the field, and across the plane. The extra point is good, and the Riverhawks extend their lead to 14-6.

End of 2nd Quarter - Score: Riverhawks 14, Walla Walla 6 

The Riverhawks start the second half at their own 20, and they pick up where they left off, with a relentless run attack. The 'Hawks benefit from some dazzling runs, when the drive sputters at the Blue Devil 37. Unable to generate a first down, the ball is turned over at the Walla Walla 32.
The Blue Devils start in the air with a couple of completions, but can manage nothing on the ground. The well-conditioned Riverhawk "D" stuffs Walla Walla, and the resulting punt puts Chiawana at their own 25.
The mighty Riverhawks start with - what else? - their bread-and-butter. A smash-mouth design and a penchant for clock management orchestrates this drive. Run play after run play chews up time and puts Chiawana at the Walla Walla 32.

End of 3rd Quarter - Score: Riverhawks 14, Walla Walla 6


The 'Hawks start the quarter with a nice pass that puts them three yards from pay dirt. A couple of run plays later and the mighty Riverhawks punch it through. The extra point keeps Chiawana rolling with a score of 21-6 with 10:20 to go in the third quarter.
After a nice run, the Blue Devils throw it on second down. The ball is picked, and the Riverhawks have it at their own 41.
After getting the ball to around midfield, Chiawana is forced to punt.
Walla Walla has good field position at their 32. They begin the drive with a couple of run plays, but then switch to the air with time being an issue. The drive went down field in fits and starts, with some nice strikes from the QB to the receivers. An eventual fade to the corner of the end zone beats the Chiawana defense for a touchdown. The extra point hits, and the feisty Blue Devils battle back to make the score 21-13 with 2:55 left in the game.
Walla Walla attempts an onside kick, with no success.
Again, with deliberation, the Riverhawks begin the mature game of clock control. Hand-off right, hand-off left; tick-tock, tick-tock. The last one puts the pigskin across the pylons at 1:02 left in the game, with a score of 28-13, after the extra point.
The Riverhawks attempt an onside kick, which the Blue Devils recover at their own 43. Going straight to the air, Walla Walla wings the oval down the gridiron with a purpose, and has time for one more play from just outside the red zone. On the last play of the game, those determined Blue Devils launch it in for six, and the game ends.

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Final Score: Riverhawks 28, Blue Devils 19
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Next Week's Game - vs. Kennewick (3-4, 2-3) @ Chiawana (6-1, 5-0) (Edgar Brown Stadium)
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The Hawk Talker's Two Cents
If you noticed, I did not mention penalties at all during my game breakdown. You see, my philosophy is that good referees and umpires are never part of the story line. If, after a game, the discussion does not involve the conduct or participation of the officials, then they did their job well. On the other hand, if their involvement creates any sort of controversy or reason to talk when the game is over, then there is a problem. The problem is that the potentially dishonest actions of grown men interfere with the development and fine play of the boys in the game. For example, it isn't fair at all to any of the players when a team is recognized not for their great play against the defending state champions, but for having so much help from the officials that any accomplishment by the actual players is eclipsed by laughably inconsistent, one-sided and unfair calls on the field. What a shame that the Blue Devils, who actually made great things happen on the field, will be diminished by the folly of adult males. It is a distraction, and demonstrates a lack of integrity on the part of the officiating team. And it also takes me away from my usual comments in this section of the report. Moving on ...
Aside from the officiating, which kept the game much closer than it would have been without the additional and obvious help, the Walla Walla Blue Devils exposed a couple of potential weaknesses that other teams might be willing to attempt to exploit. For example, it is no secret that Chiawana has a strong ground game. If an opponent is able to shut down the run, it limits the offensive options and allows the defense to focus on the pass with more effect. Walla Walla had an interior lineman who continually ran down the best running back in the state. For some reason, this continued throughout the game, and was demonstrative of preparedness on the part of the Blue Devils. We never seemed to have an answer for that, and it could be something that an astute and capable team may exploit if there is no way to stop it.
While the Riverhawks are a well-rounded and strong team in general, there are always going to be soft areas. Our soft area is deep protection. For as many opponents as we have had who get desperate and begin throwing the ball due to a lopsided score, we should have more interceptions. Given the type of talent in the secondary, I am surprised that this statistic is what it is. Also, in almost every game, our defense has been beaten on a long ball. While this is not much of an issue when an opponent is on the ropes, it will be a factor in a closer game, and a good team will use this to their advantage.
Our next two games are against Kennewick and Pasco, respectively. These teams are mediocre, although it would be unwise to overlook either one of them. It seems that the teams faced this year all brought their "A" games. However, that not withstanding, if there is a chance to rotate players in the secondary, in case we need different match-ups in the playoffs, these two games provide our final opportunity to test the personnel on the field, no matter their positions.
I am proud of the way that the team withstood the potentially debilitating onslaught of yellow flags. It is always difficult to remain cool under such unfair circumstances, and our boys handled the barrage with dignity and valor. I attribute this to the mature example set by the coaches. Keep up the good work, team! We are all cheering for you!
Just my two cents. Please be sure to visit my sponsors. Thanks!

My thanks to those of you following this blog. If you have any pictures, please feel free to send them my way. I will post them as I need them, but I will give you credit when I do. If you like, go ahead and comment below. Who knows how many people are "thinking it" and just need for you to say it? Just be mature, and we can discuss it. If you need to send a pic, or drop me a line, feel free to do so at
hawk.talker@yahoo.com.

H.T.
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 Hawk Talker is an enthusiastic fan of the Chiawana Riverhawks football team. His goal is to provide an accurate and honest review of each game in an effort to summarize the play of the team for others who may be interested. Please visit the links at the right of this page and participate in the poll when you have time. Thanks!
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Friday, October 17, 2014

The month of October - The Braves Are Bounced, And Falcons Fall As Chiawana Racks Up A Couple Of League Victories




October 1-October 17, 2014 - PASCO, WASH. - I have been away from the blogs for a couple of weeks. Here is a quick recap:

10/3 - KAMIAKIN AT EDGAR BROWN STADIUM
The Riverhawks ground and pound the Kamiakin Braves to oblivion in The Pit. Final score - 31 to 14.

10/10 - HANFORD AT EDGAR BROWN STADIUM
The hapless Hanford Falcons face another rout in a snake-bit season. Chalk up a "W" for the 'Hawks, 62 to 6.

The Hawk Talker's Two Cents
I would apologize for my absence, except I am under contract to nobody but myself. 8-)
The 'Hawks, as expected, stomped the Braves and blew out the Falcons. The Hanford game hit the rolling clock for the entire second half. Great work from a high-octane offense and a brutal, swarming defense. 
This week is the game of the regular season. The Chiawana Riverhawks (5-1, 4-0) face the Walla Walla Blue Devils (4-2, 4-0) at WaHi tonight. Both teams are on magnificent win streaks, 5-0 and 4-0 respectively. Both teams are undefeated in conference play. Both teams are anxious to play past the season with a home field advantage. None of the other games in the regular season compare to the anticipation for this contest!
The Blue Devils will fire a cannon when they score tonight. I was told by a long-timer that when you play in Walla Walla, you should expect to start with a score of 7-0, against. I expect a whale of a game, and that our guys will answer with cannon volleys of their own! Good luck 'Hawks, and bend but don't break.

Just my two cents. Please be sure to visit my sponsors. Thanks!

My thanks to those of you following this blog. If you have any pictures, please feel free to send them my way. I will post them as I need them, but I will give you credit when I do. If you like, go ahead and comment below. Who knows how many people are "thinking it" and just need for you to say it? Just be mature, and we can discuss it. If you need to send a pic, or drop me a line, feel free to do so at
hawk.talker@yahoo.com.

H.T.
----------
 Hawk Talker is an enthusiastic fan of the Chiawana Riverhawks football team. His goal is to provide an accurate and honest review of each game in an effort to summarize the play of the team for others who may be interested. Please visit the links at the right of this page and participate in the poll when you have time. Thanks!
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