YORKVILLE — River is closing out the regular season on a roll.

One week after dismantling Shenandoah, the Pilots did the same to Buckeye Local Friday night, steamrolling to a 39-9 triumph at WWII Memorial Stadium. Coach Mike Flannery’s charges were dominant in all phases in improving to 4-5.

The Rivermen close out the regular season Friday night, hosting Frontier. The Pilots are in solid shape for a D-VII Regional 27 playoff spot, with hopes of hosting an opening round game.

Buckeye Local fell to 2-7 for rookie head coach Chris Kiedaisch. The former Linsly School offensive coordinator has done a fine job in his rebuilding efforts with the Panthers.

“We are capable of being a good team when we do what we have the ability to do,” Flannery said. “We did that last week and did it again tonight.

“We got contributions from a lot of people. We fell behind right off the bat but played through that early adversity,” he said. “I am real pleased with our effort tonight.”

The early Pilot adversity came in the form of a misplayed opening-game kickoff return by the Hannibal-based crew. As a result, Buckeye took over at the Pilot 30.

The Panthers drove to the River four but couldn’t find the end zone. The hosts subsequently took a 3-0 lead on the strength of a 21-yard field goal by Hadyn Boyce.

That would be about as good it would get for the mistake-prone Panthers.

River took possession at its 46 following a Buckeye punt midway through the opening period.

Two snaps later, standout Lucas Dennis teamed with Aiden Milhoan on a 49-yard scoring pass. The conversion run failed, leaving the Pilots on top 6-3.

River padded its lead to 12-3 early in the second quarter via a 40-yard, seven-play drive. Dennis capped the abbreviated march from four yards out. The PAT was blocked.

The Pilots tacked on another TD with just 17 seconds left in the first half on the strength of an 80-yard, 14-play drive. It came on the heels of an interception by River senior Beau Charlton.

The lone pass on the march came on the final snap as Dennis located Trail Thompson with a 15-yard strike. Wyatt Majors added the PAT for a 19-3 halftime reading.

River pushed the game into OHSAA mercy-rule guidelines with two third-quarter TDs – a four-yard run by Parker Bennett and three-yard run by Wyatt Stalder, followed by a two-point conversion run by Dennis.

Buckeye tallied it lone six-pointer when Chase Worwa ran it in from the two with 6:06 remaining.

River dropped the curtain on the game’s scoring when Braden Johnson broke loose on a 43-yard scamper.

Dennis turned in a yeoman’s effort, rushing for 122 yards while completing four-of-10 passes for 95 stripes. Bennett rushed for 65 stripes on eight carries.

“Our defense really turned in a stellar effort. Coaches (Chase) Grinch and (Mark) Holenka deserve credit for that,” Flannery said. “I have a lot of respect for Coach Kiedaisch. He is one excellent coach and will build a strong program at Buckeye.”

The Panthers did manage 278 yards in offense.

Senior quarterback Alex McDiffitt completed 14-of-24 passes for 166 yards. He also rushed for 82 stripes.

“We just made too many mistakes,” Kiedaisch said. “Turnovers really hurt us. We are a team that cannot afford to turn it over like we did.”

“River played well. Give them credit,” he added. “They have turned their season around. That is what good teams do. and that is what we have to learn how to do.”

Buckeye closes out its season Friday, traveling to rival Harrison Central with the V.A.L.E.S Trophy on the line.

River 6 13 14 6 – 39

Buckeye 3 0 0 6 – 9

Buckeye – Boyce, 20-yard field goal.

River – Milhoan, 49 pass from Dennis. Run failed.

River – Dennis, 4 run. Kick blocked.

River – Thompson, 15 pass from Dennis. Majors kick.

River – Bennett, 4 run. Kick failed.

River – Stalder, 3 run. Dennis run.

Buckeye – Worwa, 2 run. Run failed.

River – Johnson, 43 run. Kick failed.

RUSHING: River 36-244-4tds (Dennis 22-122-td, Bennett 8-65-td, Stalder 6-21-td, Johnson 1-43-td). Buckeye Local 27-112-td (McDiffitt 17-82, Eastham 4-14, Roush 3-9, Worwa 3-7-td).

PASSING: River (Dennis 4-10-95-2tds, Thompson 0-1). Buckeye 14-26-166-2int (McDiffitt 14-24-166-2int, Dombroski 0-2).

RECEIVING River 4-95-2tds (Milhoan 2-57-td, Thompson 2-38-td) Buckeye 14-166 (Jones 5-80, Divjak 3-38, Takach 4-42, Dombroski 1-2, Eastham 1-4).

First downs: River 12, Buckeye Local 13.

Fumbles/Lost: River 0/0; Buckeye Local 2/2.

Penalties; River 7-49; Buckeye 4-31.