LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / November 9, 1998

RESERVE – The Riverside Academy Rebels pounded out a 45-6 win over the St. Martin’s Saints Friday to cap their 1998 regular season.The game’s outcome was never in doubt after a 19-0 first quarter lead, with13 of those coming in the opening three minutes of play. By halftimethe Rebels held a commanding 26-0 lead, and they expanded that to 39-0 by the end of the third quarter.

On the Saints’ side, all the scoring came off two fourth-quarter field goals to stave off a shutout.

Rebel fans got an early treat when Riverside’s Brad Delaneauville intercepted Dennis Stewart’s first pass during the first play in scrimmage with only 14 seconds elapsed in the game. On the Rebels’ first play, JoeyPoirrier hammered Keith Leblanc 24 yards for the first touchdown. KalebMayes nailed the point-after kick for the 7-0 lead.

On the second play from scrimmage after the kickoff, another Stewart pass went awry and deflected into the hands of Kenny Clement, who returned the ball to the Saints’ 15.

Four plays later, Casey Remondet squeezed over the line from the 1-yard stripe for the second TD of the evening. This time, Mayes’ PAT kick fadedleft and the Rebels led 13-0.

The rest of the first period settled down a bit, with the Saints grinding out slow yardage, the drive crippled by two sacks. Riverside regainedpossession after a punt and took the ball from its own 42 to a touchdown eight plays later.

Brandon Delaneauville romped for a 31-yard TD, but an illegal procedure call nullfied the play. Three plays later he managed to score again, thistime from a foot outside the end zone with 31 seconds remaining to the period. Mayes’ PAT was wide right this time, and the Rebels led 19-0.St. Martin’s managed a sustained drive, this time from its own 25 to theRebel 34, from where Danny Trahant attempted a field goal for the Saints with 7:44 left in the half. The try was unsuccessful and Riverside regainedpossession at its own 20.

Following two punt exchanges, Riverside launched its next scoring drive from its own 18. A Joey Poirrier pass to Keith Leblanc got the Rebels tomidfield, and eight plays later Poirrier connected with Leblanc again for an 8-yard TD in the left corner of the end zone. Mayes nailed the PAT andRiverside took a 26-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Riverside lost no time getting back on the scoreboard as the second half opened. Taking the opening kickoff at its own 31, Riverside’s BrittWaguespack veered left and tore up the sideline for a 22-yard TD run with 10:50 remaining in the third quarter. Mayes’ PAT was good for the 33-0lead.

St. Martin’s next possession got nowhere fast and the punt launched theRebels’ next scoring drive from their own 42. Three plays later, Poirriercarried 48 yards for a touchdown. Mayes’ PAT faded left and Riverside wasleading 39-0.

After the kickoff to St. Martin’s, on the first play from scrimmage, aSaints fumble landed in Sean Delaneauville’s hands and the Rebels were back in business. On the next play, Bradley Hodges handed off toWaguespack, who angled left for a touchdown with 6:55 left on the third quarter clock to push Riverside to a 45-0 lead.

St. Martin’s got nowhere on its next possession and punted. On the nextplay, Riverside fumbled and St. Martin’s recovered at its own 38-yard line.That launched a drive which pounded to the Rebel 18 going into the fourth quarter.

With 10 minutes left in the game, Ryan Rossner nailed a 35-yard field goal for St. Martin’s, getting the Saints on the board at last, trailing 45-3. Four and a half minutes later, after another Riverside fumble at the Rebel 33, St. Martin’s Rossner posted another field goal with 5:27 remaining inthe game, this one a 44-yarder, for the final score of 45-6.

Riverside led on first downs, 11-7. In rushing, the Rebels carried 31 timesfor 207 yards, while the Saints carried 35 times for 65 yards.

In passing, Riverside made seven of nine attempts for 138 yards, while St.

Martin’s made two of 10 attempts with two interceptions and only 40 yards.

Riverside had two punts for a 38.5 average, and St. Martin’s had five puntswith a 33.6 average. In penalties, the Rebels had five for 25 yards whileSt. Martin’s had two for 6.5 yards.In individual stats, Poirrier completed seven of nine passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried three times for 46 yards. LeadingRebel rushers were Remondet with 10 carries for 82 yards and Waguespack with six carries for 73 yards.

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