By BRIAN TORTELLA

Correspondent

On X @tortreports

FLORENCE — It was supposed to be a milestone night for the Florence High football program. Joe Frappolli Jr. was set to do something he’s done many times before while repping the blue and gold — lead the Flashes out onto his hometown field. 

The difference? Thursday night was his first time doing so as the boss.

Frappolli Jr. was approved this summer to take over for his father, Joseph Frappolli Sr., who was at the helm for a remarkable 50 years that included 337 wins.

Playing longtime traditional Thanksgiving rival Riverside, only this time on the eve of the first day of school for the Flashes, the stage was set for another game in the win column.

But Riverside had other plans.

The Rams stunned Florence (1-1, 0-1 West Jersey Football League National) behind a second-half surge, outscoring the Flashes 16-3 in the final 24 minutes. They cruised to a 22-10 victory to spoil Frappolli’s home debut and home opener for the Flashes.

“As a Riverside graduate and a Riverside coach, Riverside-Florence is always going to be a little bit extra,” Rams coach Bob Van Sciver said. “I just can’t say enough about my guys and the clean game that they played.”

Van Sciver noted that his squad made a lot of mistakes early in last week’s 28-22 win over Palmyra, and couldn’t be more proud of the team for being coachable and playing more disciplined on Thursday night. 

Sophomore Alton Howell, who transferred back to hometown Riverside after spending his freshmen year at Camden Catholic, came up big when it mattered most. His 11-yard touchdown run put the Rams up by 12 late in the fourth quarter. Despite his flashy play, he was all about the team during the postgame interview.

“I love this team,” he said. “We have a lot of heart, we put in a lot of work. Thank you to Florence for having us, that was an amazing game. That was very good competition, I appreciate that. I believe we’re going to have a great season this year.”

Howell also recorded an interception in the closing minutes that essentially sealed the game for the Rams. 

Said a Riverside assistant coach during the post-game discussion: “Everyone take a great big breath, because this is rare air.”

Words to live by. Riverside (2-0, 1-0 WJFL National) was in the midst of a 15-game losing streak against Florence prior to Thursday’s matchup.

“I knew it was going to be a tough game. I did not think this was going to be an easy game,” Frappolli said. “They played us tough last year. We have a lot of new guys, we’re still feeling our way, you know? They have a great scheme, they’re well coached, they have tough kids. Turnovers kill you, they always do. Penalties kill you, they always do. We couldn’t find our way out. 

“No excuses, playing on a short week just sucks,” Frappolli continued. “It really does. You have two days of practice. With a new staff and new guys, it’s hard. I thought (my guys) were ready to play tonight. They played tough. We just came up short, for sure.”

WHAT’S NEXT: Riverside hosts Maple Shade on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m. Florence travels to Lawrence on Sept. 13 at 6 p.m.