By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

 

HOMER — Maybe it isn’t a shocker to everyone that No. 25-seeded Riverside would upset No. 8 Homer — given how it played under Bill Stubbs in the second half of his first season as Rebels coach, the team was likely regarded as one of the more dangerous lower-seeds in the state playoff picture.

But how they beat Homer? That might be out of left field.

Riverside absolutely dominated Homer, capturing a 56-8 victory despite a nearly six-hour road trip for the Rebels.

“Our kids are starting to mature,” said Stubbs. “Their confidence is growing. And what you’re seeing right now is a group of kids starting to really enjoy playing the game of football. They’re showing some of the intangibles that are so important … and they’ve picked a great time to do that.”

Deuce Wallace tossed four touchdown passes to continue his torrid streak of big games. He completed 14-of-19 pass attempts for 244 yards and was intercepted twice.

Jonquial Sanders, likewise, continued to amass big total yardage numbers, rushing 12 times for 110 yards and three touchdowns and hauling in four receptions for 66 yards and a score.

Von Julien caught five passes for 75 yards and three touchdowns. It’s Julien’s second three-score game in the last three weeks.

Herb McGee caught three passes for 86 yards.

“They’re starting to see the rewards of their labor. That makes it fun,” said Stubbs.

Riverside’s defense also came up with its most impressive showing of the season, holding Homer to just 110 total yards, including just eight through the air.

“They’ve learned to swarm the ball,” said Stubbs. “They’ve got a great running back. But every time he touched it, our guys were there.

“They’re starting to bring a little something too. They’re hitting some folks.”

The Rebels put Homer on its heels on the opening kickoff, when a high, directional kick paid dividends for Riverside; the Rebels recovered the ball and set up a 3-yard touchdown plunge by Sanders just over a minute into the game. Sanders added a 9-yard score less than six minutes later.

Leondre Williams cut into the lead for Homer when he scored on a 1-yard run; Darian Dunn’s two point conversion made it a 13-8 Rebel lead.

But from there, Riverside was off to the races. The Rebels scored 29 second quarter points to all but put away the hosts.

Wallace and Julien connected on scores of 24, 33 and 6 yards in the quarter. Wallace also tossed a score to Sanders that covered 32 yards, giving the freshman quarterback four touchdown passes in a single quarter.

Sanders and JuJuan Bell rounded out the RA scoring in the second half. Bell finished with 31 yards on six carries.

Stubbs said the long trip didn’t seem to phase his team — as the results bear out.

“This was a business trip for us,” said Stubbs. “We’ve stressed all season that it doesn’t matter who we play, where we play or what anyone else does. We can control our end of it.

“I want a football team that can go into an empty lot with no lights and enjoy it. And they’re building up that kind of love of the game, from what I can see. They handled themselves well.”

Riverside will host Episcopal next week in Reserve. Episcopal toppled Booker T. Washington in the opening round to advance.

The Rebels have now won five of six since starting off 0-4 and have averaged 52 points per game over that stretch.