RESERVE – Coach Kevin Dizer knew he had a very young team going into the season. The Riverside Rebels started approximately a dozen freshmen throughout the course of the year. Dizer hopes this valuable game time will pay dividends in the future, since the Rebels will have 16 to 17 starters returning for the 2020 season.

Returning to Riverside in 2020 is Gage Larvadain, pictured at left.Dizer identified returning starters Gage Larvadain as a leader on offense and Nick Washington as a leader on the defense. Larvadain emerged as an offensive weapon by passing for 1,110 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season. Larvadain added 1,030 yards and 17 touchdowns rushing the ball. Wide receivers Andre Murphy and Tairyn Lockhart combined for over 600 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns.

Dizer added, “The two biggest contributors we are going to lose are linebacker Connor Naquin on defense and center Cody Pellissier on offense.”

The Rebels navigated a tough pre-district schedule with tough losses at Thibodaux 43-31 and Ascension Catholic 35 – 22. Riverside’s three wins came over Sophie B. Wright, 26-6, St. Martin’s Episcopal, 55–7, and Country Day, 36-35. Riverside lost in the first round of the 1A playoffs in a rematch with Ascension Catholic, 55-20.Dizer thought West St. John was going to be the best team in the district, followed by Country Day. He said the Rebels look forward to competing with West St. John and Country Day next year.

After a 3 -8 season, Dizer thinks the juniors are going to come back with a bad taste in their mouths, and they will be ready to get to work. With so many returning starters and a year of playing experience, the Rebels look to bright future in 2020.