By LEONARD GRAY

RESERVE – The Riverside Academy Rebels celebrated homecoming in a big way, crowning senior class and student council president Candace Perret Homecoming Queen and trouncing the Buras High School Wildcats 34-0.

Though Buras had possession for most of the game, they were unable to capitalize on it, only threatening to score late in the game. On the other hand, the Rebels’ Scott Poirrier led the charge for most of the game until an injury midway through the third quarter sidelined him and Wes Hotard stepped up to fill the slot.

The Wildcats accepted the kickoff and, with Lynn Henry at quarterback and Travis Riley at running back, managed a 20-yard drive to their own 41-yard line until forced to punt.

In the Rebels’ first play from scrimmage, Poirrier lobbed a long pass to Bradley Hodges for a touchdown with 7:29 on the clock. The PAT kick missed, but Riverside had taken a 6-0 lead.

Buras started at its own 20 and Riley and Jerome Jones shared the ball-handling, moving the Wildcats nearly to midfield until a pass was intercepted by Rebels linebacker Blane Rome, who returned the ball to the Buras 17-yard line. This time, as the clock moved into the second quarter, it took six plays but a quick pass to Tim Brignac paid off as he made a diving catch in the right corner for the touchdown. A two-point conversion run by Britt Waguespack was enough to place Riverside into a 14-0 lead.

Things started getting rocky as Buras’ defense began to wake up. On the kickoff, Buras’ kick returner fumbled and Michael Gravois recovered for the Rebels at the Wildcats’ 19-yard line. However, three plays later, Riverside fumbled and Cody Portie was ready to snare the ball for the Wildcats at the 31-yard line.

The effort failed to pay off, and Buras soon punted. Starting at the Buras 49-yard line, Riverside powered their way to the Wildcats’ 9-yard line, boosted by a 25-yard pass reception by Seth Johnson.

This time, it was Britt Waguespack who bumped and rolled to the end zone, picking up Riverside’s third touchdown with 6:10 remaining in the half. The PAT was blocked, but the Rebels had a 20-0 lead.

Riverside was just picking up steam, though. After the kickoff to Buras, three plays later, the Wildcats fumbled and defensive end Johnathon Hendricks was ready to land on the ball at the Buras 6-yard line. That gave Riverside players the boost they needed, and Poirrier slammed in for the touchdown with 3:55 remaining in the half. Tim Treas’ PAT kick was good for the 27-0 lead.

The Rebels kicked off again to Buras, who moved the ball from their 27 to their 37 before having to give up the ball on downs. Finally, Riverside ate up most of the clock but saved one more score for the 42-second mark when Jared St. Amant stepped in for the touchdown. Again, Treas’ PAT kick was good and that was the scoring for the first half and the game.

Riverside kicked off to the Wildcats to open the second half, and the Wildcats held onto the ball for almost the entire third quarter, moving the ball from their own 15 to the Rebels’ 23-yard line. At the 5:20 mark in the third quarter, Buras crossed midfield for the first time of the evening before giving up possession on downs.

Riverside, with Wes Hotard at the helm, moved the ball with T.J. Cancienne to its 42-yard line before punting. Buras, moving mostly with Travis Riley, rumbled out the remainder of the clock. Riverside’s Britt Waguespack was the leading rusher, with 10 carries for 58 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Poirrier’s stats were five passes with four completions, throwing for two touchdowns and running for another.

Each team managed 10 first downs. Riverside had 128 rushing and 85 passing yards, while Buras had 147 rushing and 14 passing yards. In passing, Lynn Henry was three for nine with one interception for the Wildcats. Each team lost a fumble, but Buras fumbled three times while Riverside only fumbled once. Buras had five penalties, losing 32 yards, while Riverside had three penalties, losing 20 yards. Next week, Riverside hosts St. Martin.