By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

SHREVEPORT — Last season, Evangel broke the hearts of Riverside and its faithful, rallying to take a last minute victory.

The Rebels returned the favor, and then some, Friday night.

Riverside scored 22 fourth quarter points, including Jordan Loving’s game-winning 33-yard touchdown pass to Herb McGee with 1:33 remaining to notch a dramatic 36-30 win at Evangel, exorcising the Rebels’ demons from a year ago.

Riverside trailed 30-21 with just over five minutes left when Von Julien scored his third touchdown of the night on an 85-yard kickoff return, making the score 30-28.

The Rebel defense held Evangel on the Eagles’ next possession and then found some fortune: Evangel snapped the ball too high on a punt, resulting in a Riverside safety and a tied 30-30 score.

That set up Loving to McGee, and sent the Rebels to an opening week victory over a premier prep program.

Riverside freshman quarterback Jordan Loving completed 17 of 32 passes for 203 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in his first prep start.

He got plenty of help from receivers McGee and Julien. McGee hauled in seven receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns, threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Julien and rushed three times for 30 yards. Julien caught two passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Kendall Martin intercepted three passes. Evan Veron made four tackles and recorded a sack.

Evangel’s final drive of the night ended with a pair of deep passes thrown from its own 42 batted down by Riverside as time expired.

The Rebels trailed 20-14 at halftime. Loving connected on touchdowns of 35 and 22 yards to Julien and McGee respectively. 

Evangel extended its lead to 27-14 late in the third quarter on Connor Curry’s 46-yard touchdown pass to Corey Henderson.

Evangel passer Connor Curry completed 21 of 41 passes for 245 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Orlando Puryear, Mac Meyer and Henderson each hauled in at least four receptions and 63 yards.