Riverside’s finesse was no match for Tamaqua’s power.

In a matchup of teams with monumental differences in style, the Blue Raiders’ ground-and-pound attack stole the show on Friday night.

Headlining the Tamaqua performance was a powerful backfield that produced 436 rushing yards and paved the way for a 51-20 victory.

Nate Curvey was the leading man for the Raiders as he rushed for 159 yards and four touchdowns.

But Curvey was far from a one-man show as numerous players had strong supporting roles in the victory. Logan Hess carried 16 times for 120 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards and a score; Lucas Schickram carried 10 times for 79 yards and two TDs; and the Tamaqua offensive line dominated in the trenches.

“We knew coming into the season that our forte was going to be our backfield and they haven’t disappointed,” said Tamaqua coach Sam Bonner. “Tonight, I thought we spread the ball around pretty well and they all ran extremely hard. Nate (Curvey), Logan (Hess), Lucas (Schickram) and Nate (Wickersham) are all extremely strong and that’s the way they run.

“I was also really happy with how our line has been playing this season. We have four first-year starters up there. I knew we had some size and talent, but I’m pleasantly surprised with how quickly they have come together as a unit and with how well they’ve played.”

Tamaqua wasted little time in flexing its muscles as it scored the first four times it had the ball to build a 28-0 lead with 8:39 still left in the opening half.

Curvey did most of the early damage as he scored the Raiders’ first three touchdowns on runs of 54, one, and three yards.

“Our line was amazing tonight,” said Curvey. “They gave me running room time-after-time. They really made my job easier.

“I just tried to take advantage of the holes they were opening up. I consider myself a power runner, but I know I also have the ability to break big runs.”

After Curvey’s early scoring spree made it 21-0, Wickersham hit Logan Hess with a 10-yard TD pass.

The Raider defense then got into the act as Wickersham and Braydan Hess stormed through to sack Riverside quarterback John Gilchrist for a safety and a 30-0 lead late in the first half.

“Our fast start tonight was crucial,” said Bonner. “Against a team with the talent Riverside has at the skill positions, scoring early like we did and also getting some nice defensive stops on their first few possessions was a key.

“You saw how dangerous their passing game can be, but getting off to the start we did gave us plenty of cushion.”

Riverside didn’t have a first down in its first five possessions, but once it found the grove, the Vikings’ offense put up huge numbers. Gilchrist completed 26-of-42 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns.

But Tamaqua’s fast start meant it was never in jeopardy.

The Raiders put the finishing touches on the win with touchdown runs of 24 and two yards from Schickram in the second half, the last one sending the game to mercy rule with just over six minutes remaining.

SACK ATTACK ... Tamaqua sacked Gilchrist four times in the game. In addition to the combo sack by Wickersham and Hess for the safety, Wickersham, Braydan Hess and Jerome Balliet all had second half sacks.

IN THE TRENCHES ... Bonner praised the play of the offensive line - Hess, Balliet, Trevor O’Brien, Jacob Wasserleben and Parker Coleman - along with tight end Isaac Curvey for their performance.

FORCING TURNOVERS ... Nate Fannock had an interception for the Raiders while Isaac Curvey and Braydan Hess recovered fumbles.

SCHICK THE RAM ... Not only did Schickram have a nice night running the ball, but he continues to clear the way for Hess and Curvey from his fullback spot. Bonner said he had 16 pancake blocks in the first two games and he definitely added to that total against the Vikings.