By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Coming off a 35-0 loss to St. James in their district 2A opener, Riverside Coach Tim Taffi knew his team needed to rebuild its confidence quickly.

The one problem — John Curtis was the next team up for Riverside.

The defending Class 2A champions captured a 50-8 win at Riverside in a District 10-2A game, sending the Rebels to 0-2 in district play.

“It’s tough. We didn’t execute the week before, and you’re looking for a shot in the arm,” Taffi said. “Then you turn around and play John Curtis, one of the best teams in America. We knew it would be a challenge.”

Curtis led 31-0 at halftime. Seven different Patriots scored touchdowns in the game. Kenny Cain led the attack, with six carries for 78 yards and two scores.

Darnell Rachal scored the lone touchdown for Riverside, on a 7-yard run in the fourth quarter. Bobby Smith added a two-point conversion.

Curtis (6-1, 2-0) outgained Riverside (3-3, 0-2) 455 to 123 in total offense. The Patriots gained 301 of those yards on the ground.

The Rebels 122 on the ground, but only one passing yard. Curtis held the Rebels to six first downs.

“We just can’t get anything going right now,” said Taffi.

Riverside held Curtis to a Stone Speer field goal the Patriots’ first possession. The Rebel defense then were set to force a second Curtis punt, but were flagged for too many men on the field.

That proved costly. Curtis quarterback Evan Ingram scored three plays later on a 20-yard run, making it 10-0. It opened the floodgates.

Cain scored the first of his touchdowns on a 34-yard run to make it 17-0. Then in the second quarter, Ingram found Chris Guillot for a big play to put Curtis ahead four scores, a 51-yard touchdown through the air.

Bryce Jenkins found Josh Hanberry for a 17-yard passing score before halftime, and that rounded out the first half scoring.

Cain, Jenkins and Jordan Frost all scored on the ground in the second half for JCC.

“The problems they present are physical,” said Taffi. “The X’s and O’s of it are simple. They run the same basic plays they’ve run for years, but they run them very well.

“They’re very, very well drilled and they execute, something we have to learn to do.”