RESERVE- The Riverside Academy record after five games may not be indicative of how good this team really is this season. The first three games of the season were both exciting and frustrating for Riverside. They led early against 5-A Thibodaux and 5-A Woodlawn-B.R., but they let the lead slip away in the final moments of the game. RA battled, but they just came up a little short. Even after a slow start this season, they played some stiff competition that will surely pay dividends when going into district play in the second half of the season.

Riverside also started a slew of underclassmen who are gaining valuable game experience. Coach Kevin Dizer commented, “When you look at the first half of the season, you’re disappointed that your record is 1-4. At the same time, you’re playing a lot of young kids. It’s good to see them fight and continue to practice every week. We’ve probably got 17 or 18 underclassmen out of about 22 starters. Out of that, there are about seven or eight freshmen.”

Dizer took over the offense this year and pointed to Gage Larvadain as a standout player on that side of the ball. “Gage is doing a really good job as the quarterback on the team,” Dizer said.

He added that center Cody Pellissier does a great job leading the offensive line, and he feels that group is the most improved unit on the team this year.

Dizer pointed to defensive lineman Nick Washington and Connor Naquin as standout players on the defense. “Nick Washington been doing a good job applying pressure and starting to mature and grow as a leader in his junior year,” Dizer said.

Naquin played on the defensive line last year before making the move to linebacker this year, Dizer said.

“Connor Naquin has just been a relentless player for us,” he said. “He plays with a lot of effort and passion. He’s doing a great job for us leading the defense.”

Dizer said the team has been fairly healthy so far this season. However, RA did lose H-Back Will Smith, who reportedly may be out several more weeks.

The second half of the year will probably be just as tough as the first half of the year with the next two games on the road with Southern Lab and Newman. Those teams are perennial powerhouses, Dizer said.

“I set the schedule to where we were going to have to compete every night, so it’s going to be just as difficult,” Dizer said.

Riverside will return home to play St. Martin’s Episcopal for Homecoming. They then finish up the season with tough games at West St. John and home against Country Day.

Dizer pointed out that the team is very young. “The one thing we can’t control is maturity. The average age on our team is probably about 15 years old,” he said. “We’re waiting for these kids to grow up and mature. I would love to see our team improve in physical toughness on the defensive side of the ball and on offense, but those will both come with time.”

Despite the challenges, Dizer said he is proud of the way the team is playing and competing.