By RYAN JONES

Eighth-seeded Riverside Academy approached the team’s first-round game against Mangham with caution, having upset several more highly-seeded teams in last year’s playoffs. The Rebels, however, did not return the same courtesy to this year’s low-seeded opponent, overcoming a slow start Friday against the No. 25 Dragons en route to a commanding 49-14 bi-district Class 2A state playoff victory.

Mangham, however, hung around in the first half before Riverside pulled away to a comfortable distance in the second half. The Dragons pulled to an even 7-7 score with 24 seconds remaining in the first quarter after an 85-yard touchdown pass from junior quarterback Seth Parker to senior Neal Jones. The visitors drew within two scores right before the break with a 90-yard kickoff return by junior Shaquille Ausberry.

“It was a solid win,” Riverside head coach Mickey Roussel said. “We started a little slow, and that kickoff return at the end of the first half got me a little bit nervous, but it was a good win. I was pleased with the way we came out in the second half and put it away.”

Riverside enjoyed the same offensive dominance it experienced in the regular season, totaling 301 yards and four touchdowns before halftime, fueled by senior Thomas Crouch. Crouch finished the night with 69 yards rushing on six carries, 139 yards receiving on five catches and two touchdowns.

During their game-opening series, the Rebels methodically drove down the field, running the ball six straight times after an incomplete pass on the first play. With the ball on the Mangham 11-yard line, Riverside fumbled the football, but Crouch scooped the ball up and carried it down to the two. Crouch scored up the middle on the next play. Senior quarterback Darnell Rachal orchestrated the effort, completing a near-perfect 13-of-16 passes for 239 yards — including 180 yards in the first half — and three touchdowns.

The Rebel defense, which gave up only one offensive touchdown on the contest, forced the Dragons to go three-and-out on four out of their nine drives. The front seven appeared strong in particular, and senior defensive end Andrew Vicknair came away with two sacks and one quarterback hurry. Mangham finished the game with minus-four rushing yards.

“We emphasize defense,” Roussel said. “We have to get better in that area to get where we want to go. The misdirection concerned a little bit, but we were disciplined. We didn’t look in the backfield, which is what we had to do. I thought the defense played a solid game.”

The victory sends Riverside to Pope John Paul II, which defeated Ferriday 17-14, next week in Slidell.