DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / October 30, 1999

NEW ORLEANS – Newman once again played giant killer Friday, this time knocking off Riverside, 22-21.

Riverside, ranked No. 1 in Class 2-A going in, is the second No. 1 teamNewman knocked from the top. The Greenies’ previously knocked West St.John, also a district foe, from that spot.

Riverside is now 8-1 on the season and 4-1 in District 9-2A play. Newmanis 7-1 overall and 4-0 in district.

Newman won on its own field in a close, high intensity game.

Riverside began the game as strong as ever, with Ray Cella and Sean Delaneuville both getting sacks in the first quarter. Bradley Hodges had aninterception on Newman’s 18-yard-line, which led to the first touchdown of the game as Damien Melancon slipped over the 1-yard line. Kaleb Mayesmade the extra kick, giving Riverside 7-0 with seven minutes left in the first quarter.

Both teams fought hard up and down the field, denying each other the end zone, until six minutes into the second half. That’s when Newman hauleditself down the field in a drive consisting of six first downs and a touchdown by Miles Clements. Todd Rhoden made the extra point forNewman, tying the game 7-7.

In Riverside’s next drive, Newman linebacker Davis Webb intercepted a pass and returned it 22 yards, with Britt Waguespack bringing him down on Riverside’s 21-yard line. Riverside’s defensive line struck hard, Cellaagain sacking David de Laureal, on Newman’s first down.

Laureal threw a touchdown pass, but Newman was penalized for holding, and the play was called back. Bugay and Cella immediately sacked Laureal,Ronnie Mason knocked the ball out of an intended receiver’s hands with a crushing tackle in the end zone and Cella and Blake Duhe brought down the quarterback on his fourth down, allowing the Riverside offense to retake the field.

In the third quarter a safety was called on Riverside as the pitch back to the punter flew high over Mayes head and was downed in the end zone.

Newman went on to score another touchdown as Dwayne Jones found a pocket on the right side and dashed 50 yards for six points. The two-pointconversion was stopped by Riverside’s defense and the score settled at 15-7.

Riverside soon found its momentum again and beat its way down the field.

Remondet finished the drive with a 9-yard run up the middle for the touchdown. Riverside went for the two-point conversion but was denied asDelaneuville was pulled down short of the goal line.

Two minutes into the fourth quarter Remondet ran up the center for 37 yards, bringing Riverside onto Newman’s 27-yard line. Delaneuville setthe ball over the goal line on a 3-yard gain and Waguespack scored two more points on the conversion to bring the score up to 21-15, Riverside’s favor.

Until the last minute of the game Riverside held its lead and both teams kept each other in check. With less than a minute left, though, Newmanrallied, and from 5 yards out Laureal connected with Will Walters to tie the game.

With flags on the field Riverside fans waited for a call to negate the touchdown, but unsportsman-like conduct was the penalty and Newman was forced to kick the extra point from the 18-yard line. Rhoden delivereda 35-yard kick and Newman took the lead.

With 33 seconds left in the game Riverside failed to make it down field and the game ended 22-21.

Damien Melancon posted four completions in 12 attempts, with one interception, and also carried eight times for 75 yards. Leading rusher forRiverside was Casey Remondet, with 102 yards in 14 carries. BrandonDelaneuville also carried 10 times for 64 yards.

Riverside’s net rushing yards totaled 283, to Newman’s 115, while Newman far outdistanced on net passing yards, with 177 to 18 for the game.

Newman also gave up 98 yards due to seven penalties, while Riverside lost only 14 yards in one penalty.

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