RESERVE — It isn’t easy going through spring football when a large chunk of your team is missing.

Riverside Academy football coach Chris Lachney and St. Charles Catholic football coach Frank Monica learned that the hard way this month with the RA and SCC baseball teams having successful seasons.

Both baseball teams made the Division III semifinals, which were played last week in Sulphur.

While the Comets were eliminated on May 11, the Rebels went on to win the Division III state championship May 13.

That meant Lachney and Monica dealt with a bunch of their players — including their quarterbacks — playing baseball and, truth be told, probably not thinking at all about football.

“It’s a challenge,” Monica said.

Lachney, who took over the Riverside football team in December after Bill Stubbs won the Division III football championship then retired, said it’s a good problem to have.

“That’s not difficult, that’s awesome,” Lachney said.

“I’m so glad for those kids who got to experience something like that. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. That’s a hell of an experience for them. Now, if we were preparing for a game it might be a different story.”

The good news is, it was “just” spring and the Rebels only had to prepare for an intrasquad scrimmage played Thursday.

Starting quarterback Jordan Loving, who led the Rebels to the football title in December and was the Player of the Game, also pitched for the baseball team.

He didn’t hit the football field until Monday, managing only a couple of days before Thursday’s scrimmage.

“We know what he can do,” Lachney said.

Loving’s absence, along with about 10 other players, just gave Lachney and his coaching staff a chance to look at a few other players to see what they can do.

“It gives us a chance to look at some other guys who might not get as many reps,” Lachney said. “There are a lot of kids I thought stepped up really well.”

The Rebels weren’t just transitioning  from baseball to football, they also were transitioning from Stubbs to Lachney, who was the team’s defensive coordinator under Stubbs.

“It’s not all that different,” he said. “Coach Stubbs and I had a great relationship. Whatever decisions he made, he always included me in the thought process.”

Lachney added he was ready to hit the field.

“After all the administrative stuff you have to do as a head coach, scheduling and equipment and all that, it was nice to just concentrate of football,” he said. “It felt good to be on the field.”

At St. Charles, Monica also was without returning starting quarterback Lloyd Nash, an outfielder on the baseball team.

Sophomore Justin Dumas filled in for Nash.

Linebacker Dellary Oubre was playing baseball, as well.

Monica said he did get a good look at some of the younger players who will have a chance to step into starting roles next season.

“It’s hard to get a good look in only nine days,” Monica said. “That’s all they give us. I know we’re going to have to do a lot of work over the summer to get ready. We have a lot of work to do.”

The Comets had a strong showing in a 28-7 spring game victory over Class 5A  Terrebonne Thursday.

St. Charles needs the work to prepare for next year’s move up to Class 3A, which Monica is none too happy about.

While it’s not the first time St. Charles has been bumped up to 3A, Monica disputes the calculation process that forced the school into a Class 3A enrollment.

“We’ve never been a 3A school by double digits,” he said.

Sadly for River Parishes football fans, the move also means the end of the Riverside-St. Charles rivalry.

The teams were unable to agree on a scheduled game this season.

East St. John High and West St. John High didn’t have to compete with their baseball teams this year; however, WSJH coach Brandon Walters did deal with injuries.

Walters  is also replacing last year’s starting quarterback, Austin Alexander, and Jamal Walters, who played just about everything.

Probable starting quarterback D’Andre Goudia, who had quite a bit of playing time last season, missed the spring game against McMain because of an injury.

In his place, Alyjay Borne and Trenton Grow got their chances and helped the Rams take a 21-8 victory.

“We definitely have some things to work on, but I think it went pretty good,” Walters said.

While Walters said he was more worried about getting his players just to line up properly and snap the ball correctly, running back Nico Davis was making a name for himself.

He rushed for more than 100 yards in the game.

The defense, which loses only three starters, was led by Horace Lewis.

Walters said he also hopes his team will be more competitive as it moves down to Class 1A, which is its true enrollment.

The Rams have played up to Class 2A the last two seasons.

They also will no longer play Riverside during the season.

The East St. John Wildcats took a nice little road trip to Mississippi College in Clinton, Miss., to play Provine High School in the Super Class Spring Jamboree last Saturday.

Wildcats coach Aldon Foster said it was a great way to get his players some exposure.

“It was big deal,” Foster said. “There were over 100 college coaches and scouts there. That’s worth the trip right there.”

Also worth the trip was the Wildcats’ 13-6 victory over Provine.

Junior quarterback Dasmain “Duke” Crosby solidified his hold on the starting spot, but will get some competition from a couple of players, including an eighth grader coming in, Foster said.

Already a prospect, rising senior tight end Javon Antonio made some noise and caught the attention of scouts, according to Foster.

“He got four offers,” Foster said. “That’s worth a ride. What else do they have to do on a nice Saturday?”