Football Recap: Estero Falls to Riverdale in First Game of Season

Estero had to start their season on the road on Friday, and it wasn't the start they were hoping for. They fell 21-16 to the Riverdale Raiders. The Wildcats lost against the Raiders in their previous head to head back in August of 2024, too, but the margin this time around was much closer than the 42-14 score last time.

When it comes to explaining why Estero lost, don't look at Maddox Stewart. Despite the final result, he threw for 195 yards and one TD, and also punched in one score on the ground. A healthy portion of Stewart's aerial production (81 yards to be exact) went to Kegan Kreuscher.

Riverdale got their victory on the backs of several key players, but it was Josiah Bataille out in front who rushed for 113 yards and one touchdown while picking up 7.1 yards per carry. Those 113 rushing yards gave Bataille a new career-high. Lovensky Blanchard also helped out as he racked up 133 rushing yards.

Estero has already played their next game, a 56-10 win against Aubrey Rogers on the 29th. As for Riverdale, they also wasted no time getting back out on the field and have already played their next contest, a 43-18 victory against South Fort Myers on the 29th.