CHINO VALLEY — Running back Jayden Plotkin has been a part of one of the more successful runs in River Valley football program history, helping his club win 32 games during his four-year tenure as a Dust Devil.

Add junior quarterback Mickey Smith into the mix, along with a defense that allows just 11.8 points per game, and No. 8-ranked River Valley may give just about any 3A team that comes calling absolute fits.

With that, the focus was simple Friday night: stay healthy and do everything they can to secure that No. 8 seed, which means a home game when the 3A state football playoffs begin next week.

The Dust Devils (9-1, 3-1 3A West) were on point as Smith threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, while Plotkin easily eclipsed over 100 yards on the ground for the eighth time this season in a 41-8 win over Chino Valley.

It is the eighth time this season the offense has scored at least 41 points for River Valley, which wasn’t bad on defense either Friday night, watching Gavin Rodriguez, Brody Schutt and Kaleb Knueven each record interception returns for touchdowns in the first half against the Cougars.

ONE OF THE BEST

During Plotkin’s freshman year, River Valley won 10 games and earned a No. 6 seed in the 3A state playoffs, beating Eastmark 31-20 before losing to Valley Christian in the next round, 35-28.

Plotkin had only six carries that season and would need to wait until his junior campaign before the Dust Devils returned to the show, only to travel south to Sabino and lose to the eventual state champs, 48-31.

Now in 2024, Plotkin is a senior leader, and one of the top running backs in the state to carry the pigskin. The 5-foot-9, 160-pound back entered Friday night’s contest in Chino Valley with 1,425 yards, just 221 shy of Goldwater’s Dylan Hayhurst for the state lead.

And remember, that’s all conferences, not just 3A.

Plotkin has amassed that rushing total with 50 less carries than Hayhurst, clocking 9.14 yards per carry to the Goldwater standout’s 7.99.

The senior said he’s enjoyed the past four years working every day to get better as a Dust Devil, and getting the win to cap a 9-1 season Friday night.

“It was huge for us seniors, playing all four years together and being able to see the culture change in the program, three different coaches in the four years. We’re rolling, we’re ready,” Plotkin said, adding he’s crossing his fingers for a chance to play at home next week.

“Being able to wake up in our beds, and not have to get on a bus like today, just go straight to the fieldhouse and get ready to play indoor football. That will be nice,” said Plotkin, who has amassed 150-plus carries in each of the past two seasons.

“I’m good, for the most part, my offensive line takes care of me. I just have to run in a straight line, make a cut or two,” Plotkin said with a smile after being asked how his body felt after all those carries.

The senior had 181 carries for 1,762 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2023.

GAME MANAGER

There’s something to be said for a quarterback who largely manages the game, moves the chains and doesn’t turn the ball over.

Smith, a junior, completed 40 of 82 passes for 661 yards and 14 touchdowns to just one interception heading into Friday night.

The steady signal caller said it was a great regular season, but River Valley has more work to do.

“Hopefully we’re able to string some wins together and make a run in the playoffs,” Smith said. “We need to focus on everyone do their jobs, staying focused this next week and going into the first round.”

COACH KING

With 15 wins in his first two seasons as head coach, not to mention making the 3A state playoffs now two straight years, River Valley’s Adam King said he inherited a “very special” group last year and they kept it rolling in 2024.

“It’s a testament to the character of those young men in the locker room,” King said.

In talking potential home field advantage next week when the 3A state playoffs begin, King said they had a to make a four-hour bus trip of their own a season ago for the Sabino game. He hopes by Saturday afternoon, he’s planning for the No. 9 seed to come to down, whomever that may be.

“If we are fortunate enough to maintain that top eight seed, and someone must come visit us, the travel is one thing, but our community is special. The fact that we’d be able to play that in front of our fans, that would be great,” King said.

UP NEXT

The AIA is set to official announce the 3A state football bracket live on the air Saturday morning, Nov. 2, from Phoenix Christian High School. Visit AzPreps365.com at 9 a.m.

Brian M. Bergner Jr. has covered professional, collegiate and high school sports for more than 20 years. Follow him on X at @AzPreps365Brian or on Facebook at @Five2MediaWorks. Have a story idea? Email Brian at bbergner@azpreps365.com.