MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / October 27, 1999

RESERVE – For the second time in three weeks, Riverside will be facing a stiff test to both its No. 1 ranking in Class 2A and its defense of theDistrict 9-2A championship.

Two weeks ago, the challenge was West St. John. The Rebels got past thathump with a 29-22 victory. This week, the pretender to the throne isperennial New Orleans powerhouse Newman.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Lupin Stadium on the Newman campus.Riverside comes into the game with an 8-0 record overall and a 4-0 mark in District 9-2A. Newman is also 4-0 in district play and 7-1 overall.Riverside is coming off a 59-12 victory over Ridgewood Friday. The Rebelsrolled up 342 yards on the ground, led by Casey Remondet who had 141 yards and two touchdowns on just six carries. Remondet’s touchdownscame from 10 and 33 yards out. He also added a 70-yard touchdownreception from Damian Melancon. Brandon Delaneuville added 95 yards onthe ground, including a 50-yard touchdown. Melancon and Mike Schoencombined to throw for 97 yards and two touchdowns.

The Riverside defense was its usual dominant self, holding Ridgewood to 184 yards in offense, 41 on the ground. The Rebels picked off Tony Lugofive times and recovered a fumble.

Remondet and Waguespack are both among the top five running backs in the area in Class 2A. Remondet has carried 80 times for 824 yards (10.3 yardsper carry) and 11 touchdowns. Waguespack has over 600 yards rushing andleads the area in Class 2A with 12 touchdowns.

The Newman team that Riverside is different than the one it defeated in the Class 2A quarterfinals, 30-14, last November in one regard – there is no Manning at quarterback. Eli is on the Ole Miss campus, playing for adifferent band of Rebels. In his place is senior David de Laureal and therehas not been much of a drop off. De Laureal ranks among the topquarterbacks in the area in Class 2A, with 61 completions in 114 attempts for 870 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The recipient of most of those passes has been senior flanker Will Walter who had caught 25 passes for 436 yards and eight touchdowns going into last Friday’s game against Buras. The Greenies can also run the ball, led byDwayne Jones with 552 yards and eight touchdowns going into last Friday.

Leading the charge up front is senior tackle Matt Glazer, a top prospect.

In that game, Newman defeated Buras, 41-0. De Laureal passed for 89yards and a touchdown and Jones scored on a 9-yard run and a 70-yard return of the opening kickoff. The Newman defense held Buras to 88 yards,12 through the air.

That defense is led by senior linebacker Michael Hecker. Scott Stewartleads the defensive backfield. Seniors Zack Harvey and Jody Alarson patrolthe front line.

Riverside closes out its 1999 regular season on the road at Fisher next Friday. Newman plays host to Redeemer-Seton.

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