RESERVE– The Riverside Rebels hosted Country Day on Friday night and hoped to slow down Justin Ibieta and the explosive Cajun offense. The Rebels came up big late in the game to steal a win from the Cajuns 36-35. Riverside took the opening kickoff and drove down the field. Gage Larvadain scored on an 11-yard touchdown run for the early 6-0 lead. Country Day answered when Ibieta threw a 15-yard touchdown pass for a 7-6 Country Day lead.

Riverside came right back when Larvadain hit Tairyn Lockhart on a 43-yard touchdown strike to give Riverside a 13-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. After Nick Washington stripped the ball away from a Cajun punt returner, Riverside capitalized on the turnover with 2-yard touchdown run by Larvadain for the 20-7 Riverside lead in the second quarter.

Country Day fought back with a 22-yard touchdown pass from Ibieta to Tyler Williams to make the score 20 – 14. The Cajuns mounted another scoring threat just before halftime, but the Riverside defense stopped them to hold on to a 20 – 14 lead at halftime.

The Cajuns took the lead 21-20 when Tyler Williams returned the second half kickoff for a touchdown. Country Day extended the lead 28-20 with a 50-yard touchdown run by Ibieta. Riverside continued to battle as they drove the ball down the field and tied the score 28-28 with a 7-yard touchdown run and a 2-point conversion by Larvadain.

Country Day continued the offensive fireworks in the second half when they scored on a 5-yard touchdown scamper by Ibieta. The Cajuns led 35-28 in the third quarter.

In a major turning point in the game, Country Day had a miscue when a snap sailed over the punter’s head for a safety. Riverside closed the lead to 35-30 and received the kick after the safety. The Rebels drove the ball down the field and took the lead 36-35 on a Larvadain run for a touchdown late in the game. Riverside held on for the 36-35 victory.