MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / October 20, 1999

RESERVE – One big district challenge down, two to go for the Riverside Rebels.

The Rebels (7-0 overall, 3-0 in District 9-2A) got past their much anticipated rematch with West St. John Friday night, coming away with alast-minute 29-22 victory. This week, Riverside will look to keep up thatmomentum from that late surge as it hosts Ridgewood in the Rebels’ final home game of the season.

Casey Remondet, coming back from an ankle injury, rushed for 168 yards on 18 carries, including a 38-yard touchdown run for the winning points with 1:10 left in the game. Remondet also had a 34-yard scoring runearlier at the end of the first half to give the Rebels a 22-8 lead.

Brandon Delaneuville added 60 yards on nine attempts, including a 32-yard touchdown run. Damian Melancon completed 6 of his 10 passes for 46yards as the Rebels had 290 yards in offense.

For the second straight week the Rebels had to maintain a fourth quarter drive to preserve a victory. After being held to 11 yards in the secondhalf, the Rebels drove from their 17 in eight plays, capped by Remondet’s run. Remondet carried four times on the drive for 57 yards. Melancon alsohit Britt Waguespack on a 10-yard pass for a crucial first down.

Riverside has been riding its rushing attack and defense to success all season. Remondet has carried the ball 74 times this season for 684 yardsand nine touchdowns. Britt Waguespack is not that far behind with 84carries for 590 yards and 11 touchdowns. Bradley Hodges has contributedto the scoring on special teams, returning punts for touchdowns each of the last three games, including an 80-yard return Friday night.

Ridgewood did not have the same success the Rebels had Friday, falling to Newman, 42-0. The Eagles (2-5, 1-3) have now been outscored 106-49 intheir four district contests. Ridgewood finished with 90 yards in offense,30 on the ground, and eight first downs while committing three turnovers.

The Eagle defense gave up 304 yards to the Greenies.

Ridgewood has been led by its passing duo of junior quarterback Troy Lugo and junior split end Ryan Stropolo. Lugo has 60 completions in 137attempts for 638 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Heading intothe Newman game, Stropolo had 26 catches for 306 yards and three touchdowns.

Doug Depp is the leading rusher. The line, inexperienced but deep, is led bysenior guard Tony Perez. Tackle Armando Soza, linebacker Ben Hunter anddefensive backs Jared Daigre and Nick Figaro lead the defense.

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