NEW ORLEANS — The Riverside Academy Rebels (9-1) are traveling to New Orleans Friday to face the Newman Greenies (8-2).

This will be Riverside’s second time playing Newman this season.

Riverside Academy head football coach Bill Stubbs said he didn’t anticipate many challenges playing the same team twice in one season.

“I think it’s more mental than anything else,” Stubbs said about a challenge. “I wouldn’t call it challenges as much as preparedness.

“I think you certainly have to look back at the things you did well and the things you did bad. It depends on the length of time you have seen folks. Playing two weeks later might be a little different, but when you have a span of a month, a month and a half, things change. You might add or delete things offensively and defensively. The challenges, if there are challenges, are just making sure mentally, on both sides, you’re equipped to handle it.”

Stubbs said his team has improved since last playing the Greenies.

“I don’t think we’re a different team,” Stubbs said.

“I think we’re a better team. I think we have gotten better at the things we do. We have a sense of urgency now. The practice and preparation phase has a lot more attention to detail. That’s going to make you better.”

RA’s quarterback Jared Butler and running back Brandon Sanders came out strong last week. Stubbs said they have played strong all season and the more they practice, the better they become.

Butler led the Rebels with 160 yards and three touchdowns. Sanders was also strong with 71 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

“It’s all about getting comfortable with what you do and what you do well,” Stubbs said. “The more you see it, the more you do it and the better you become at it if your effort is really strong. It’s like anything else you do. If you take something seriously and do it over and over and over again, you’re going to get better and better and better at it. Attention to detail is how you get better at things. You have to really focus when you’re practicing.”

Even though the Rebels have beaten Newman the last four times the two teams met, Stubbs said the Greenies aren’t the same team.

“They are playing at a much higher level than when they played us (Oct. 9),” Stubbs said. “They have certainly gotten much better across the board. It’s the same old, same old. You see mistakes. You fix them. You keep getting better.

“I don’t suspect they will change a lot of what they do. It’s too late in the season for that, but they have gotten better at what they do.”

By Courtney Griggs