Team of the week: Richland Northeast positions itself back in the playoff hunt

After struggling with finishing games in the first half of the season, Richland Northeast seems to have things figured out over the past two weeks.

The Cavaliers (3-5, 2-1 Region 4-3A) have rattled off two straight wins and are in the hunt for their first playoff appearance since 2011. RNE is tied with Dreher for second in the region with two games left.

The Cavaliers are at Lower Richland on Friday and finish against Dreher the following week.

“We played a real tough schedule early on and we were in the games and moved the ball,” Richland Northeast coach Jay Frye said. “We would just struggle in the second half. But we just needed to put together a complete game, and we have the last two weeks.”

Despite the recent success, Frye warned his young team, which starts around 15 underclassmen, at practice not to be content with their recent success.

“We can’t let up and got to continue to work hard,” Frye said.

The key to the Cavs’ success over the past two games has been the ability to score in the red zone and their improved passing game. Frye said teams were stacking the line of scrimmage in the first part of the season, and the Cavs used it to their advantage Friday against Camden.

RNE quarterback Aloysius Jackson threw for a season-high 191 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Bulldogs. The Cavaliers came into the game averaging just 58 yards through the air.

The improved passing game enhances RNE’s strong running game, which is averaging 268.5 yards per game. Tyquandre Davis, Barry Moorer and Jackson all have rushed for more than 600 yards this season, with Davis leading the way with 866.

“We have been able to mix it up a bit and that has helped us,” Frye said. “We are getting great play from our line up front and our defense is playing solid. We are putting together a complete effort.”