By CALEB FREY

Staff Reporter

RESERVE – It was redemption for Riverside (3-1,0-0) coming off a tough loss to Desire Street Academy, and more struggles for West St. John (0-4,0-0) as the two faced off in a non-district match-up Friday Night. Defense prevailed for the majority of the first half as the first score in the 24-0 Rebels victory didn’t come until 5 minutes remaining in the first half, but it would be the only score they needed.

The first Riverside score came courtesy of Eric Norsworthy and the Rebel defense as they stuffed the Rams on 4th down and 7 from the West St. John 10-yard line to force the safety. With the score 2-0 the Rebels drove down the field on the ensuing kickoff only to fumble the ball near the Rams 20-yard line. The Rams would give the ball right back on the very next play after Norsworthy broke through the line to cause a fumble with under 3 minutes to play in the first half.

Starting the drive at the Rams 22-yard line, Riverside played their brand of football with plenty of rushing and clock management, running two minutes off the clock on their way to the first touchdown of the night.

Workhorse Jarid Caesar kept the drive alive with a 3 yard burst to the Rams 5-yard line to make it first down and goal. Rebels QB Wade Laiche hit WR Josh Collins on the right side for the easy score to put the Rebels up 8-0.

Riverside closed the half with another safety off a failed Rams drive to bring the score to 10-0.

West St. John received the ball to start the second half looking to put a dent in the Rebels lead. QB Dray Joseph completed a pass to WR Jessie Silas for a 29-yard gain on third down and ten to put the Rams past midfield. Joseph found Raynard Thomas and Silas for a couple more quick receptions for short gains before the Rebels defense finally began to show the strength they exhibited in the first half.

Three bad snaps in a row by the Rams pushed them back to near midfield with the Rebels finally taking over on their own 44-yard line after a turnover on downs. A complete pass to Remi Poirrier would put the Rebels back across midfield. Laiche hit Jade Falgoust with a short dump off pass that turned into the backbreaker for the Rams. A couple of key blocks from the Rebels offense sprung Falgoust for a 39-yard touchdown reception that he capped off with a headfirst flip into the end zone.

The Rebels would put another touchdown on the board courtesy of a Caesar 1 yard dash into the end zone followed by a successful 2 point conversion to put the rebels up 24-0. Riverside plays host to St. John of Plaquemine (4-0, 0-0) Friday while the Rams welcome the undefeated St. Charles Catholic Comets (4-0, 0-0) in what they hope will be their first win of the season.