Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

 

RESERVE — Riverside Academy will be looking to improve after a 3-5 season in 2021.

“There are some bright spots on the team,” Riverside Academy coach Lee Roussel said. “We’ve got some young defensive linemen that are going to be good for us and I think the offensive line and defensive line are where the game starts and I think we’ve got two guys that can play at a high level on the defensive line. We’ve also got a running back, who will be a senior, that is committed to ULL. He’s a 215-pound running back. He ran the 100 meters for state. Quarterback will be a two-year starter and I think we have a few other offensive weapons.”

Roussel is in his first year as Riverside’s head coach after spending the last seven years coaching the offensive line for Nicholls State University.

Interior defensive linemen Amiree Alexander and Martrell Henry are players that Roussel said can be bright spots.

Scott White will play tight end and outside linebacker.

“He’s about 6-1, 235 pounds,” Roussel said. “We’re going to play him at tight end and linebacker. He ran an 11.5 in the 100 meters. He can move a little bit. He’s powerful and he’s really good in the weight room. He’s probably our strongest guy on the team.”

Roussel said that with those three guys on defense, they’re going to be a problem to block.

Elijah Davis was an all-state running back last year.

“He’s a three-year starter if I’m not mistaken. They leaned on him last year and we’ll lean on him too,” Roussel said.

Cade Middleton will play safety and receiver.

“He’s one of our faster guys,” Roussel said. “He’s a multi-sport guy. He plays basketball and track. He’s taken on a leadership role the last couple of months and I think he’ll have a really good season.”

Quarterback Luke Hymel started last year and he is the starting strong safety.

Roussel said that Hymel is a dual-threat player that can run and throw.

“He’s a strong kid,” Roussel said. “We’ll run him a little bit. He’s had a good summer. He’s done some good things in seven-on-seven. I think you’ll see improvement in him senior year.”

Manny Franklin is a slot receiver.

“Small in stature, but really explosive. We need to get him the ball in space,” Roussel said.

Riverside Academy will start the season on September 2 against