Streaking Rebels, Cardinals square off
Published 12:00 am Wednesday, October 4, 2000
MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / October 4, 2000
RESERVE – Two of the hottest teams in the area square off Friday night as Riverside travels to Thibodaux to play E.D. White.Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.Riverside, the second-ranked team in Class 2A, comes into the game with a 5-0 overall record. The Rebels defeated Redeemer-Seton, 56-20, last Fridayto move to 2-0 in District 9-2A.
E.D. White, the 14th-ranked team in last week’s Class 3A poll, is 4-1 afterdefeating H.L. Bourgeois, 38-6, Friday. This is the final non-district matchupfor both teams.
Riverside was led by Brandon Delaneuville with 106 yards and a score on six carries. Britt Waguespack added 83 yards and two scores. Neil Richardgained 73 yards and a touchdown with Jared St. Amant also scoring andcarrying 10 times for 54 yards. Gary Entremont caught four passes for 79yards and two touchdowns. The Rebels rolled up 456 yards in offense, 377 ofit coming on the ground, and did not punt in the game.
Redeemer-Seton, which entered the game as the highest-scoring game in the district, was held to 272 yards in offense. Donald Allen led the way with 158yards and two touchdowns passing and 41 yards and a score running the ball.
Waguespack is among the area leaders in both rushing and scoring with 487 yards and nine touchdowns on 49 carries. Damian Melancon has completed29-of-52 passes for 550 yards and five touchdowns. Entremont has 22catches for 408 yards and five touchdowns.
Besides being two teams on winning streaks, the Rebels and Cardinals also both run out of the wing-T on offense. Like the Rebels, E.D. White passesmore than is typical of a wing-T team. Through the first five games, theCardinals are the highest scoring team in District 9-3A with 175 points.
Heading up that offense is quarterback Evan Matherne, a senior in his first season as the starter. Senior fullback John Becnel is one of the leadingrushers in the area in Class 3A with over 550 yards and five touchdowns. Hewill be joined in the backfield by wingbacks John Hymel and Christian Stanga.
Senior split end Matt Matis is the leading receiving threat.
The line is one of the strengths of the team despite returning just two starters – senior left tackle Marc Montet and senior center Chris Rodrigue.
On defense, the Cardinals run out of the 50. The defense has allowed just 59points through the first five games, an average of just under six points per game. The line is the strength, led by senior defensive ends ShafferRobichaux and Marc Talbot and defensive tackles Stephen Raynal, Michael Bouterie and Ryan Gravois.
The linebackers will be senior Luke Savoie and junior Josh Perque. Thesecondary is inexperienced with Justin Verrett, David Stock, Derek Hebert and Laird Ellender.
E.D. White also has a strong kicking game, led by Verrett who earned all-district honors at placekicker last year. Punter James Wilcox also earned all-district honors and is among the area’s leading punters again this season.
Riverside defeated E.D. White, 21-13, at home last year. Casey Remondetran for 103 yards to help key the win.
Riverside returns to District 9-2A action next Friday, traveling to cross- parish rival West St. John.
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