McClatchy sophomore running back Iris Merrill (0) gets lifted up after scoring a touchdown during the Lions’ 42-37 win over River Valley on Aug. 28. Photo by Steven Bryla

YUBA CITY, CA (YSBC) - Throughout the offseason, the rumblings and chatter around the River Valley football program has been that there is a big difference and the growth is happening.

In the Falcons 42-37 defeat to the McClatchy Lions on Aug. 28, River Valley displayed multiple growth standpoints.

The Falcons punted on their opening possession of the game and after McClatchy muffed the punt, River Valley recorded the first turnover of the season.

McClatchy junior running back Robert Jackson III runs towards the end zone for a touchdown on Aug. 28 during the Lions’ victory over River Valley. Photo by Steven Bryla

The Falcons shortly scored their first touchdown of the season as junior running back Kobe Edwards punched in one of his two touchdowns of the evening from a yard out of the end zone for an early 7-0 lead.

River Valley held on for the rest of the first with the seven-point lead.

The Lions got on the scoreboard early in the second and after junior running back Robert Jackson III picked up the football after the snap bounced away from the quarterback initially and ran down the left side of the field for a 57-yard rushing touchdown.

McClatchy converted a two-point attempt to take the lead and Jackson extended the lead to seven after Johnson found the end zone for the second time in the first half after a short run.

River Valley senior wide receiver Kavari Drummonds (1) catches a touchdown pass in the second half of the Falcons’ 42-37 loss on Aug. 28. Photo by Steven Bryla

Jackson III rushed for 239 yards on the ground off 16 carries and had three touchdowns in the win.

River Valley tied the game at 14 with about four and a half minutes in the first half as Falcons senior running back Cesar Navarro capitalized on a 50-yard rush by Edwards during the drive.

After the Lions quickly responded with a short drive to regain the lead, River Valley sophomore kicker Connor Runyen kicked a 20-yard field goal to end the half and trail 22-17.

Falcons head coach Mikey Badaluco expressed to Yuba Sutter Butte Colusa Sports that the team had multiple opportunities to give up on themselves throughout the game, but his resilient group continuously fought.

River Valley junior running back Uriah Madrid (2) runs the ball towards the end zone on Aug. 28 during the Falcons’ loss to McClatchy. Photo by Steven Bryla

In the second half, each team scored a touchdown on each of their three-offensive possessions.

River Valley junior running back Uriah Madrid finished the game 123 yards rushing and scored on a 14-yard rushing touchdown on the Falcons’ first possession of the second half.

Madrid told YSBC they didn’t get the win against McClatchy but the mindset of being dedicated to one another of the field is there and that support is going to lead to W’s down the road.

On top of the support for them on the field from one another, Madrid and Edwards added that the support in the stands was an amazing atmosphere.

River Valley junior running back Kobe Edwards (21) rushes the ball for the Falcons’ during their loss to McClatchy on Aug. 28. Photo by Steven Bryla

“Seeing all those people in the stands motivates me to make a big play,” Edwards said.

Edwards has 153 yards on the ground in the loss. He punched in the final score of the game with a little over four minutes in the game remaining.

McClatchy was able to make a couple first downs and was capable of holding onto the ball safely for the clock to expire and secure the Lions victory.

Badaluco told YSBC that he couldn’t ask for a great effort from his team. He added that all the mistakes and penalties during the game will have to get cleaned up in preparation for their week one matchup versus Woodland.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:15 p.m. against the Wolves on Friday, Sept. 4.