This Year, Riggins Does More Than Watch

Ace Riggins, a spectator last season, was spectacular this time around for Valencia.

A year ago, he could only watch as the Tigers ran away with the Southern Section Division VI championship. Others did the watching Friday as Riggins ran.

Riggins, a senior running back, gained 122 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown run, in the Tigers’ 23-15 victory over Duarte in the Division VI title game Friday at Citrus College. It was a performance Riggins reveled in--and he had a right to.

“This makes up for last year,” Riggins said.

Riggins missed much of last season because of calcium deposits in his leg, the result of a hit in the third game.

He stood on the sideline as the Tigers went 14-0.

“That was frustrating,” Riggins said. “To be on the team and not be able to play was horrible. But I knew I had one more chance.”

Riggins made the most of it. True, he spent most of the season as second fiddle to teammate Chris Draft, a junior fullback.

Draft gained 1,557 yards and scored 23 touchdowns this season. He carried much of the burden during the playoffs.

But Friday, the Tigers turned to Riggins in key situations.

The play was a simple counter, something to get Riggins outside where he could use his speed. It worked well in the first quarter, as he bolted around left end on a 16-yard run, which set up a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Rob Petko.

He went even farther in the third quarter. With the Tigers leading, 16-7, Riggins went right, cut up and then slipped a tackle at the 30. He sprinted the rest of the way, giving the Tigers a commanding lead.

“I never looked back, because I thought they were on my butt,” Riggins said. “My legs started cramping, but I had to get to the end zone. Then I could rest.”

There’s plenty time for that now. He’ll have a chance to rest and reflect on a senior season that gave him everything he wanted.

Riggins finished with 932 yards rushing and scored seven touchdowns. Not bad numbers for a guy who was only the No. 2 concern of defensive coordinators, after Draft.

“Yeah, there may have been some who overlooked Ace this season,” Draft said. “There were some who missed him, too.”

Duarte did Friday. And this time, it was the end zone, not the sideline, where Riggins stood.

“This was real good for him because he didn’t feel like he was part of the it last year,” Draft said. “He got the ring and he got the jacket. But he wasn’t proud of it. He’s the man this time.”