By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

RESERVE — Riverside’s offense and defense have been operating as a well-oiled machine over the past few weeks. But on Friday night, it was time for the Rebels’ kick and punt return units to remind everyone of their game-breaking ability.

Von Julien and Herb McGee returned a kickoff and punt, respectively, for touchdowns as host Riverside dominated Sophie B. Wright, 49-6, in District 8-2A action.

McGee hauled in four receptions for 76 yards and two touchdowns to go along with his return score, an 82-yard punt runback. Julien caught two passes for 26 yards and a touchdown, along with his 81-yard kickoff return.

“I was happy in some areas, not in others,” Riverside coach Bill Stubbs said. “There were some very, very strong individual performances. There were also times I felt we played down to our competition. Not everyone played at a high level.

“There’s a lot we have to do to achieve our ultimate goal. When you play well enough to win big, there will always be things to feel good about. But I know what it takes to (win a championship). We have the team to do it, but we need to push ourselves to do more.”

With the victory, Riverside clinched at least a share of the District 8-2A championship.

Jordan Loving was 13 for 21 for 182 yards, four touchdown passes and two interceptions. Riverside rushed for 131 yards, led by Brandon Sanders’ 57 yards on seven carries.

Riverside (9-0, 6-0) got on the board at the 7:36 mark of the first quarter when Loving found Julien for a 15-yard score, making it 7-0.

That score held until early in the second quarter, Loving connecting with McGee on a 3-yard pass to make it 14-0. Loving found McGee again just over three minutes later on a 33-yard scoring pass.

Hardell Mack’s 1-yard touchdown run made it 28-0 just before halftime.

Julien kickstarted the second half, scoring when he took the post-halftime kickoff the distance. Then Loving and Tyler Gauthier combined for a touchdown to make it 42-0. Riverside led 49-0 before the end of the third quarter after McGee’s punt return went for six.

Wright scored with 21 seconds left on Kevin Johnson’s 1-yard touchdown run.

“Herb played really well tonight,” Stubbs said. “He, I thought our inside linebackers Harrison Heckathorn and Freddie Means had great nights, as well as (defensive tackle) Thaddeus Andry. Those were among the guys who really delivered (Friday).”