By Anvil Welch

awelch@joplinglobe.com

RIVERTON, Kan. — Riverton senior Aaron Darnaby, relegated mainly to a cheerleading role on Saturday because of a recent injury, still found it easy to smile.

“It still feels good,” Darnaby, a two-way lineman, said of the Rams’ 54-20 Class 3A regional victory against Richmond Central Heights. “These guys are pretty good.”

“These guys,” including classmate Nick Smith and sophomore Tyler Gibson who’ve stepped in for Darnaby at guard and defensive tackle, respectively, improved to 11-0 behind a 396-yard rushing performance at Wyatt P. Laughlin Field.

The Rams journey to either Sabetha or Rossville for the sectional round on Friday night.

Said Central Heights coach Kevin Tooley: “The better team definitely won. I’m disappointed we didn’t move the ball better. I also thought we’d have more success on defense. But Riverton is fast, precise and has big guys up front.”

Brenton Cates had scoring runs of 56, 4 and 11 yards for the Rams. He finished with 186 yards on 20 carries to hike his season total past 1,500 with 20 touchdowns.

Shiloh Murphy scored on runs of 7 and 44 yards for the Rams. They also had a 12-yard scoring run from Chase Mead and a 17-yard interception return for another score by linebacker Brad Hefley. Toss in six running conversions with quarterback Kaleb Clark delivering three, Cates a pair and KeeShawn Walker the final.

Said Riverton coach Cory White: “We had several big plays. I thought we were able to wear them (the Vikings) down a little up front.”

The Rams didn’t lack the big play on defense, either, as touchdowns — in addition to Hefley’s theft — were preceded by an interception from end Chase Williams and a fumble recovery by Casye Seifert.

An alert Williams, a 315-pounder, came up with his interception at the Viking 46 in the second quarter after teammates Murphy and Matt Tyree had bobbled the ball.

Murphy wound up scoring from the 7 on the sixth play after Williams’ heroics and Cates’ conversion gave the Rams a 32-6 halftime lead.

“Offensively, we competed with discipline and energy,” White said. “Each of our running backs can be a weapon.”

Tyree added 81 yards on eight carries, Chase Mead 26 on four and Murphy 51 on just two.