SourceURL:file://localhost/Volumes/editorial/Sports/Sports%205-26-12/Riverside%20Spring/riverside%20spring.doc @font-face { font-family: “Times New Roman”; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: Courier; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: Courier; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }

By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

 

RESERVE — The beginning of football spring practice last week at Riverside marked the first time that new coach Bill Stubbs was able to work substantially with his new players — and also the first spring practice for Stubbs since he stepped down as Salmen coach in 2001.

But for Stubbs, who was hired to succeed longtime Rebels coach Mickey Roussel after Roussel’s December resignation, the importance of last two weeks pales in comparison to what lies ahead.

“Some of our expectations have been met,” said Stubbs. “But there is still much, much to do.”

Stubbs said that the team’s spring work have introduced him to a group of Riverside players who possess a tremendous work ethic and are willing to do as asked each and every day.

But the players, by and large, are also young. Riverside returns just two starters on each side of the ball. And for the Rebels to reach their highest goals this fall, the work, Stubbs said, must begin now.

“We need to build more football players,” he said. “It comes down to a mindset, a toughness, where players understand that once you start practicing and playing, you will never be completely pain-free.

“That isn’t at all to say that these guys aren’t tough. But it’s about building that mental toughness, and as coaches reacquainting them with that idea.”

The team’s summer program, he said, is what he hopes will be a means to that end.

“The program we’ve designed for the summer looks to probably be the toughest I’ve been involved with,” said Stubbs, who has coached three state champions in his career to date. “Between now and August, we need to build up our mental and physical strength … We’ve got 21 lift days and those each need to be perfect.”

Last season, Roussel guided the Rebels to an 8-4 record, including runner-up status in District 9-2A (behind eventual 2A champion John Curtis). Riverside advanced to the regional round before bowing out, after a 42-12 first round win over DeQuincy.

Quarterback Tate Scioneaux, linebacker/fullback Grady Gieger and running back Nate Williams — who also led the team in receiving — are among the top names that graduated.

In replacing the production void left by those players, the Rebels will heavily lean upon quarterback Deuce Wallace and running back Jonquial Sanders.

Wallace, the nephew of Rebels athletic director Timmy Byrd, projects to start despite his young age — the 6-foot-1-inch, 170-pound passer will only be a freshman this fall.

But Stubbs, who has coached three state championship-winning teams in his career, gave Wallace a full vote of confidence — and then some.

“I’ve coached awhile, but I’ve never seen a kid this polished, with these mechanics, at his age,” said Stubbs. “I’m excited to be able to watch him develop at quarterback. He’s got something very, very special inside of him. And he wants to learn. He’s a sponge and soaks it all in.”

Sanders was the team’s leading rusher with 147 carries for 920 yards and 10 touchdowns. Entering his senior season, he’ll likely be asked to carry a much bigger load with Williams, who he split carries with last season, moving on.

“What I like about him is that he goes 100 miles per hour in practice, every play,” said Stubbs. “What’s kind of forced his hand is that we don’t really have much depth at that position right now. He knows we’ll need him.”

Stubbs said he was quite pleased with the offensive line’s play this spring, noting the steady play of Evan Kirkwood and Cameron Bivona. As far as Wallace’s targets, wide receiver Herb McGee has opened eyes on the staff.

But while Stubbs continued to stress that a lot needs to happen between now and August to approach a successful season, he all the while indicated reasons for optimism among Rebel supporters.

“I think the situations are somewhat similar,” said Stubbs, comparing his situation early at Salmen to the one at Riverside. “I don’t think we had the same kind of support there that we do here. That will make this process go so much quicker.”