MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / September 16, 1998

RESERVE – Riverside dominated its game Friday night at University but the Cubs took advantage of five fumbles by the Rebels to take a 21-14 victory in double overtime.

Nathan Meiner connected with Hal Porter on a 6-yard scoring strike for the winning points in the second overtime. Joey’s Poirrier’s pass in the endzone from the 14-yard line was knocked away on fourth down, preserving the victory for the Cubs.

Casey Remondet ran for 89 yards and Poirrier passed for 92 as the Rebels rolled up 270 yards while the Riverside defense held the Cubs to 88 yards rushing and 40 yards passing. But the Rebels put the ball on the groundnine times, losing five, while the Cubs recovered all four of their fumbles.

“Statistically we dominated the game but statistics don’t win football games,” Riverside coach Mickey Roussel said.

The Rebels costliest fumble came late in the fourth quarter. Afterpressuring a punt attempt by University, the Rebels had a first and goal from inside the Cubs’ 10-yard line. But Riverside fumbled at the 5-yardline and Kevin Wright recovered for the Cubs with 1:10 remaining in the game.

In the first overtime, Poirrier was stopped on fourth down from the 1- yard line. University also had a shot to win it but Chris Brooks’ 27-yardfield goal hit the upright.

University took advantage of two Riverside mistakes in the first half to take a 14-0 lead. Ahmad Harris scored from 7 yards out after the Cubstook over on the Riverside 18-yard line after the Rebels misplayed a punt attempt.

The Cubs drove again early in the second quarter after recovering a Riverside fumble at the University 31-yard line, aided by two 15-yard penalties against the Rebels. Fullback Carter Hill threw a pass to Harrisfrom the 9-yard line to give the Cubs a two touchdown lead.

Riverside cut the lead to 14-6 shortly before halftime. Starting at theirown 32-yard line, the Rebels drove downfield, completing the drive with a Poirrier 10-yard scoring strike to Keith LeBlanc.

Britt Waguespack scored from 33-yards out and Poirrier added the two- point conversion to tie the score midway through the third quarter.

Waguespack, who rushed for three touchdowns against White Castle in week one, had another solid game, rushing for 55 yards on seven carries.

“The front seven on defense and the front six on offense, we couldn’t have played much better,” Roussel said. “We moved the ball but you can’t putthe ball on the ground.”The Rebels will look to put the game behind them as they host Varnado Friday night. The game will mark Riverside’s Homecoming. Varnado is 0-2after falling to Dexter, Miss., Friday and Franklinton in the opening week.The Wildcats, a member of District 8-2A, are coming off a 0-10 season in 1997 but do bring a majority of the players from that squad. Donte Bell, ajunior, is the team’s quarterback after moving from receiver and defensive back. David Magee, coming off an injury that caused him to misssome of the 1997 season, will play both running back and linebacker.

Thomas Owens plays on both the offensive and defensive lines after being named all-district last season. Other two-way players arereceiver/safety Glenn Seals and defensive back/linebacker/receiver Keith Robinson.

“They have some pretty good athletes,” Roussel said. “They are a lotbetter than they were last year. They throw the ball a lot. Defensively,they throw a lot at you.”Riverside rolled past the Wildcats last season, 48-13. Travis Bourgeoisscored twice, Poirrier and LeBlanc connected on a scoring strike and Rusty Richard, Brandon Louque and Ryan Luminais had rushing touchdowns in the victory.

Riverside hosts Vandebilt Catholic next week while Varnado travels to Springfield.

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