By RYAN JONES

Special to L’Observateur

Prior to Friday’s District 9-2A away match-up against Newman, Riverside had leaned on its high-powered offense, which was averaging nearly 29 points per game. Through almost three quarters against the Greenies, however, the game was anything but a shootout, tied 7-7. In the final 15 minutes, the Rebels (6-3, 3-2) were finally worn down by freshman quarterback Jabari Tyler’s impressive effort, giving up 21 unanswered points and falling 21-7.

“We knew Newman lost last week and had some injuries,” Rebels head coach Mickey Roussel said. “We knew their backs were against the wall, that they had to win the last two games to even have a shot at the playoffs. We knew they were going to play it like a playoff game. They wanted it a lot worse than we did, and they executed a lot better than we did. The results are pretty simple.”

Tyler was making his second start for Newman (4-5, 4-2) after regular signal-caller Eli Sterbcow suffered a concussion two weeks ago. Sterbcow was questionable for Friday’s game, which Roussel said made the Greenies harder to gameplan against.

“With [Sterbcow], they’d throw it 30 or 40 times a game, so trying to gameplan for both is difficult,” Roussel said. “I thought the defense did a good job. The defense did an outstanding job in the first half. Our offense didn’t help them.”

The 5-foot-6, 145-pound Tyler presented a dual threat to the Rebels, throwing for 117 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 139 yards and a score on 25 carries.

“You have to tip your hat to him,” Newman head coach Nelson Stewart said. “He’s so mature. He handles himself so well and with great poise. He’s been a selfless kid throughout, and he’s a leader. He reviewed the game plan, he really understood what we were trying to do, and he played tough and physical.”

The first quarter ended scoreless with both teams putting together decent drives but failing to cap them off with points. Riverside’s second drive of the game took the offense all the way down to the Greenies 2 yard line. Senior tailback Grady Gieger, however, failed to punch the ball in on fourth down.

After stopping Newman once again, the next Rebels drive stalled at the Greenies 36 yard line. This time, Riverside attempted a fake punt, and senior quarterback Tate Scioneaux lofted the ball up for senior running back Nate Williams. Williams raced down the sidelines and into the end zone, putting the Rebels up 7-0 with 4:29 remaining before halftime.

“We had been practicing it all week,” Scioneaux said. “We knew we were going to use it. We just didn’t know when. When Coach gave it to us, we knew we had to do it, and we got it.”

Scioneaux struggled against the Greenies, completing just 3 of 17 passes for 59 yards. Williams posted a 101-yard effort on the ground and recorded two receptions for 48 yards.

Newman finally got on the scoreboard with 2:58 left in the third quarter. Scrambling to avoid the Rebels rush, Tyler hurled the ball to senior running back James White, who hauled it in for a 61-yard touchdown reception. After the extra point, the Greenies drew even headed into the fourth quarter.

After a Tyler 1-yard scoring run put Newman up 14-7 early in the last period, Riverside went three-and-out. The ensuing punt rolled to the opposing 15 yard line, but the Greenies played keep away, putting together a 15-play, 85-yard drive. Freshman running back Kendall Bussey’s 5-yard touchdown run with 2:13 remaining sealed the 21-7 victory for Newman.

“Our kids were backed against the wall, and they’ve responded to adversity all year long,” Stewart said.

“We had our best week of practice. They put their heart into this game, and we knew this game meant everything to us.”

The loss dropped Riverside to third place in its district behind the Greenies and John Curtis. The Rebels go on the road again Friday, squaring off against J.S. Clark.