RESERVE — Riverside seemed to have done everything it needed to do to stage a comeback against John Ehret in Friday night’s season opener.

But the Patriots got the breaks when they needed them to escape with a 16-13 victory.

After giving up a safety early and missing a PAT late, the Rebels trailed the Class 5A Patriots 16-13 in the fourth quarter, but had finally gotten something going.

After holding the Patriots on fourth down at the Rebels’ 35 yard line with 6:24 remaining in the game, Riverside took over and drove to the Ehret 5 on six plays and with the help of two crucial Ehret penalties.

With 3:49 remaining, the Rebels had their chance to tie it. First-year kicker Tanner Louque lined up for a 27-yard field goal with quarterback Jordan Loving holding.

But the snap sailed over both of their heads and Ehret recovered, crushing the Rebels’ comeback hopes.

The Patriots would turn the ball over again with 37 seconds remaining, but there just wasn’t enough time for the Rebels to rally.

Friday night’s game was a meeting of 2015 state runners-up. Riverside was the Division III runner up to Notre Dame; Ehret was the Class 5A runner-up to Zachary.

Ehret came into the game with a much-hyped running game, and it delivered.

Brandon Brown led the Patriots running game wit 167 yards on 27 carries. He wasn’t the only weapon in the arsenal, however.

Quarterback Travis Mumphrey Jr. passed for 83 yards and ran for 36, including a 12-yard touchdown. Jamal Houston rushed for 20 yards, including a 3-yard touchdown.

Riverside struggled early, though, and had to play catch-up for much of the game. With 1:47 remaining in the half, the Rebels had run all of 12 plays.

On the Rebels’ second play from scrimmage, Jeremy Gibson was tackled in the end zone for a Patriots’ safety.

Houston’s run early in the second quarter made it 9-0, Patriots.

Jordan Loving, returning to his starting role for the first time since his freshman year, passed for 152 yards and one touchdown and ran for another.

He ran for a 1-yard score in the second quarter to cut Ehret’s lead to 9-7. He connected with Cash Foley with 8:15 remaining to cut the lead to 16-13, but Louque missed the PAT.

The Rebels’ defense stiffened on the next series, holding Ehret at the 35-yard line.

St. Charles Catholic 27, Thibodaux 19

The Comets relied on their running game in the season opener, rushing for 242 yards. Junior running back Narquez Jones led the way with 157 yards on 23 carries and scored one touchdown.

The St. Charles defense held Thibodaux to 21 yards rushing but gave up 179 passing.

Comets quarterback Lloyd Nash ran for 58 yards. He passed for 40.

Andrew Rodrigue kicked a pair of field goals, one from 27 yards and one from 38 yards.

Joe Chiarella scored on a 2-yard run and Tyler Sandifer scored on a 1-yard run that put the Comets ahead 13-6.

Jones’ touchdown capped the Comets’ scoring and put the team ahead 27-15. Thibodaux scored late on a fumble recovery.

East St. John 38, Shaw 0

After cutting the ribbon on the new turf field, the Wildcats were rude hosts to the Eagles.

Quarterback Marquis Darensbourg was 10 of 22 for 149 yards and three touchdowns and he ran seven times for 75 yards and another score.

Shayhan Williams scored on a 44-yard punt return. The Wildcats also got a safety on a bad snap.

Javon Antonio caught a 5-yard touchdown pass. B.J. Long caught a touchdown pass for 35 yards and Kyle Henderson scored on a 35-yard pass from Darensbourg.

St. James 33, West St. John 8

For the first time since 2007, St. James is the winner of the annual Railroad Classic.

Demarcus Williams ran for one touchdown and passed for another.

Kirtlin Johnson scored on a 36-yard run. Tyler Jasmin returned the second half kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown.

The Wildcats also scored on a fumble recovery in the end zone.

Austin Alexander scored the lone touchdown for the Rams late in the game on an 8-yard run.

The was the first meeting between St. James coach Robert Valdez, who took over the team this year, and his former team. He coached West St. John for seven seasons.

“Our defense played lights out,” Valdez said. “It really was a great first win. Demarcus played great after having only a week to prepare.”