East Ridge senior Riley Larson didn’t get many chances to play quarterback last fall.
So few opportunities, in fact, that he played primarily as an outside linebacker to go along with backup quarterback duties for a Raptors' team that finished 6-4.
But standout quarterback Zach Bebrowkski, who is now on Southern Illinois University’s roster, graduated last spring which left an opening.
Now Larson is one of two quarterbacks taking turns in the driver's seat of an offense helping to navigate East Ridge (1-2, 0-1) through a stretch of games against three teams currently ranked in the Associated Press statewide poll.
With multiple quarterbacks on the roster who regularly play, Larson doesn’t take his opportunities lightly.
"I have two quarterbacks behind me who are unbelievable," Larson said of fellow Raptor quarterbacks, Jackson Turner and RJ Sackett.
East Ridge did more than enough to put its season-opening two-loss start in the rearview mirror with a 42-14 win Friday over visiting Eastview, ranked No. 6 in the Class 6A Associated Press statewide poll.
Playing their third consecutive ranked opponent, the Raptors (1-2, 0-1) broke away with a 28-point third quarter thanks to some help from Ben North, who had two interceptions. North returned one for a touchdown.
The game was tied 7-7 at halftime with Eastview's Quintcy Suggs scoring on a one-yard touchdown run.
East Ridge quarterback Riley Larson connected with Brody Kriesel for a 25-yard TD pass in the second — Kriesel's first of two TD receptions — and then Larson rushed for two third-quarter touchdowns.
Eastview (2-1, 1-0) scored again in the fourth quarter on a 34-yard TD reception by Angelo Paulucci.
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