Defense scored two touchdowns, added a safety, and quarterback Micah Jarrell accounted for three scores as Elkhart rolled past South Bend Riley 46-18 on Friday night at Jackson Field.
Elkhart head coach Travon Curry had kept his pregame message simple. He wanted his team to control its emotions in a game loaded with subplots, play football, and leave South Bend with a Northern Indiana Conference win. The Lions did all three, improving to 3-1 overall and 2-0 in the NIC.
"We knew this was going to be an emotional game, and we just wanted to play ball and get out of here with a win," Curry said. "Our boys controlled themselves. They want to be celebrating now, but we just want to get out of here."
The emotion traces back to the visitor's sideline. Kros Jones, an All-State linebacker for Elkhart a season ago, now plays for Riley. His father, Antwon Jones, spent last season as Elkhart's defensive coordinator before taking the same job at Riley this year. The elder Jones played at Notre Dame and has been a head coach at Washington, Adams, and Niles.
Elkhart led 16-0 at halftime. Cole Bell opened the scoring with a one-yard touchdown run on the Lions' first possession. Jarrell hit Ja'Mar King for a 14-yard touchdown, and Kamden Kemble added a 45-yard field goal.
Riley managed just two first downs in the opening half. Junior defensive end Aaron Norton Jr. was a constant presence in the Wildcats' backfield, and Elkhart's defense set the tone early.
"Aaron is a leader for us and a captain," Curry said. "He's my cousin and he came over to us as a freshman from Concord. He's come out of his shell here for us."
The game was flagged-heavy from the start. Riley committed two offsides penalties on Elkhart's first three offensive plays, and the Lions finished with over 100 yards in penalties themselves.
Cameron Davis got the Wildcats on the board 86 seconds into the second half, breaking a 51-yard run to cut the lead to 16-6. Elkhart answered immediately. Riley fumbled on a running play and recovered in its own end zone for a safety. On the ensuing possession, Bell returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown, stretching the lead to 25-6.
Riley responded with a 46-yard touchdown pass from Caius Mack to Ayden Monroe, making it 25-12. But Elkhart pulled away in the fourth quarter. Jarrell raced in from 29 yards out, hit Ta'Michael Brown for a 40-yard touchdown, and Camryn VanDette capped the scoring with a 91-yard interception return with less than three minutes left.
Davis added a 69-yard touchdown run in the final quarter, though it appeared he was down before bouncing up and racing to the end zone. The whistle never blew, so the play stood.
"We scored on defense again, and that's four weeks in a row," Curry said. "We want to continue to be an attacking defense."
Elkhart sits tied atop the NIC standings with Penn, South Bend Saint Joseph, and South Bend Adams, all at 2-0 in conference play.
Riley dropped to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in the NIC with its third straight loss. The Wildcats are dealing with injuries and youth. Senior defensive lineman Muri Jackson, a second-team All-NIC selection in 2025, is out with a lower leg injury. Riley coach Darrick Lee said his status for the remainder of the season is still to be determined.
Riley had been outscored 84-7 in its previous two games against Penn and Valparaiso. The Wildcats found some offense in the second half Friday, mostly through Davis, a junior with track speed.
"Elkhart earned the win tonight, but we will keep growing and I'm excited where we are at," Lee said. "I have incredible kids and incredible coaches. We've faced the gauntlet these first few games and now we will evaluate things.
"We had some jitters at the start tonight. Every NIC game is emotional, and all of these kids know each other. We woke up a little late offensively tonight, but I was happy with Cameron. He's explosive. He's a track guy and was able to bust those tonight.
"I know people will look at the final score, but we were in this one. Take away the two interceptions for scores and the safety and it's a much closer game."
Riley travels to winless South Bend Washington on Sept. 18 and winless New Prairie on Sept. 25. Elkhart hosts New Prairie on Sept. 18 before road games against unbeaten Saint Joseph on Sept. 25 and Penn on Oct. 2.
According to Yahoo Sports.
