AVON — Riverside High School’s D’Vonta Gatson, the Planters Bank Player of the Week, has a playful competition with fellow Bulldog running back Demarieus Pam before every game this season.
Gatson and Pam, both juniors, challenge each other to get more rushing yards than the other.
“I am like ‘Don’t let me beat you,’” Gatson said with a laugh during practice Wednesday. “We are both very competitive people, but we are also great friends. We want to see each other do well, but we also know that the most important thing is to help the team win.”
While Pam got the better of Gatson in Riverside’s first four games, Gatson came out on top last Friday in the Bulldogs’ 22-20 road victory over O’Bannon High School. Gatson rushed for 178 yards on 21 carries and also scored all three of Riverside’s touchdowns in the game. His fourth quarter touchdown put the Bulldogs on top for good.
A slot receiver last season, Gatson, said he is learning more and more about playing running back each day. It helped, he said, watching former teammate Jonovan Tyler carry the ball last season. Tyler, in his senior season, rushed for 1,134 rushing yard and averaged more than seven yards a game.
While Pam is more of a power running back, Gatson describes himself as more of an all-around back with the speed and the agility to blow past opposing defenders.
“I try to play like Saints running back Alvin Kamara,” Gatson said. “I have the ability to play very physical, but I can also break away for a big play.”
After picking up their first win last week, the Bulldogs hope to make it two in a row when they host 3-2 West Tallahatchie tonight at 7 p.m.
“Last week was a great win for us,” Riverside coach Jim Risen said. “Now, we have to build on it and try to pick up some more victories.”
