ANDRE BURL / L’Observateur / November 23, 1998

RESERVE – First there were 32 teams, then there were 16, now there is only 8, and the Riverside Rebels are one of those great eight, coming away with a 23-0 victory over the Pope John Paul II Jaguars at Rebel Stadium Friday night.

Riverside improved to 12-0 on the season. The Rebels will host Newmannext Friday in the quarterfinals. Pope John Paul finished at 9-2. Riverside won the toss and elected to receive, taking the ball at their own 20-yard line. The Rebels had the ball only three plays before StephenGraham step in front of a Joey Poirrier pass at the 32 with 8 minutes in the first and the ball was headed the other way. Pope John Paul took over,but would return the favor as Ronnie Mason grab an interception at the Rebels 24.

Riverside took over at the 7 minute mark, and began to move the ball with a mixture of Casey Remondet and Brandon Delaneuville. But an interceptionby David Eads at the Jaguar’s 23-yard line ended the drive.

After a fumble by Riverside at their own 22 in the second quarter, Pope John Paul moved into position for a 25-yard field goal but it went wide left with 7:52 in the quarter.

The threat woke Riverside up. From their 21, the Rebels went to work.Running and passing on an 11-play drive of 75 yards, ending with a stinging pass to Keith Leblanc from 15 yards. A good extra point by KalebMayes made it 7-0 Rebels at the 1:33 mark.

A 20-yard punt set the Rebels up in good field position on their next possession. Mayes made it good on a field goal attempt from 25 yards,making the score 10-0.

At the start of the fourth, the Rebels extended their lead, taking the ball from their own 39. Eight plays later, Poirrier pushed the ball in from the1-yard line. The Rebels missed the extra point but led 16-0. Riverside would score again to put icing on the cake. Taking the ball fromtheir own 32, the Rebels would mount an 8-play drive ending with a pass from 2-yards out to Danny Stein. A good point after by Mayes made thefinal score 23-0.

Remondet rushed for 125 yards on 22 carries, and Poirrier passed for 100 yards with two interceptions and two interceptions.

The Rebels held the Jaguars to 107 yards rushing and 48 passing and only six first downs.

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