By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — Riverside entered 2010 with great expectations and fanfare, and so far have done nothing to dispel any of that. The Rebels have been exciting, explosive and relentless on their way to a 5-0 record this season. Riverside is ranked No. 4 in Class 2A, clearly coming a long way from a season ago.

But now comes the stiffest test: a date with No. 1 John Curtis.

Curtis (4-1) defeated the then-upstart Rebels twice last season. The Patriots won the first game 33-3, then eliminated Riverside in the state quarterfinals, 35-7.

But this season’s clash seems to carry a different feel to it around Reserve. RA coach Mickey Roussel notices and embraces it.

“It better have a different feel to it,” said Roussel. “From last year to this year, we felt like we’d be a much better football team. I feel like we have been. We’re banking on that confidence coming off of the way we’ve played … we feel that we are a top five team. These guys are a year older, and know what it takes.”

As tough a task as it is to handle Curtis on the field, Roussel said intangibles are always a major concern when it comes to facing the Patriots.

“We’ll have the X’s and O’s down, but a big key is you just can’t be intimidated,” said Roussel. “John Curtis is not just one of the top programs in the state but in the nation. Still, once you kick off on Friday, all of that goes away and (the hype) just becomes a football game.”

Mistakes cost Riverside dearly in last regular season’s district showdown. Curtis intercepted two Darnell Rachal passes and returned each for scores en route to building a big lead.

“They’re waiting for you to make a mistake,” said Roussel. “Last year, we made the kinds of mistakes you can’t have and expect to have a chance. We can’t get caught up in the highs and lows. They’re going to be very patient. We need to do the same.

“They’re going to try to grind it out and play defense. We need to change that up on them. We need to have long drives and keep our defense off of the field.”

Last season’s state runner-up, Curtis (4-1) lost in Week 3 to Class 4A No. 1 Salmen and eeked out a close 21-20 win over Mandeville in its opener. The Patriots have been typically dominant the rest of the way, winning by three touchdowns or more in victories over Fisher, Newman and Gainesville (FL).

Curtis’s top skill weapons include running backs Torrey Pierce and Quincy Smith and wide receiver Josh Hanberry. Brandon Bourgeois is the triggerman at quarterback.

Riverside comes into this game off of a 47-0 homecoming victory over Thomas Jefferson, moving the Rebels to 2-0 in District 9-2A play.

Linebacker Kalen Jenkins was among those that starred, returning two fumbles for touchdowns. Quarterback Darnell Rachal led the way offensively with 97 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. Running backs Nate Williams (59 yards), Dylan Martin (37 yards) and Thomas Crouch (27 yards) would all cross the goal line. Riverside held Thomas Jefferson to less than 100 yards of total offense.