MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / November 8, 2000

RESERVE – Two teams on a roll meet in the Class 2A bi-district playoffs Friday night as Riverside hosts Loyola.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.Riverside goes into the game with an 11-game regular season winning streak, including 10-0 in 2000. The Rebels captured their second District 9-2A titlein two years with a 6-0 record.

All three facets of the game have been clicking for the Rebels as of late. Theoffense is averaging over 400 yards and 39 points a game.

Damian Melancon passed for over 1,100 yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season. Three running backs – Britt Waguespack, BrandonDelaneuville and Jared St. Amant – rushed for over 500 yards. GaryEntremont went over the 700-yard mark in receiving. Waguespack,Delaneuville, St. Amant and Entremont have all scored 10 or moretouchdowns.

“We’ve been giving the ball to six different guys,” Riverside head coach Mickey Roussel said. “If one gets stop, the others pick up the slack.”The defense struggled a bit early but has really come as of late. The Rebelsallowed just 116 points in the regular season, including a district low 67 in district play. John Champagne had nine sacks going into last Friday’s gameagainst Fisher while Ryan Weber had a team-high three interceptions.

“The defense the last five games has played flawlessly,” Roussel said.

“We’re better right now defensively because of our secondary is so much improved over last year. They are more experienced. We are getting greatplay in the secondary, both against the run and the pass.”But Roussel said the greatest improvement has been in the special teams.

Blake Torres has been nearly perfect on extra points since early in the season and Tim Treas has consistently pinned opponents inside their 25-yard line with his kickoffs.

Roussel said that needs to continue starting against a Loyola team that has improved since the beginning of the season. The Flyers lost their first fourgames against teams in high classifications but rallied to win four out of their last six.

Loyola is led by senior Jon Alston, a two-way threat at linebacker and running back. The 6-1, 215-pound Alston rushed for 900 yards in five games afterbeing switched from tackle, including a 303-yard, five-touchdown game against Vidalia Oct. 20. But Alston was injured late in the season and maystill be hobbled Friday night.

“He’s their marquee guy,” Roussel said. “He makes tackles and runs the ball.They run out of the Multiple I and he will get the ball 28 to 30 times a game.”Friday’s winner gets the winner of Jewel Sumner and North Vermilion next week in the regionals.

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