By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Riverside will roll into its final game with Newman riding a wave of momentum after its win over Lusher on Friday night, a 75-14 offensive explosion in a District 9-2A contest in Reserve.

The Rebels will play Newman to determine third place in the district.

Riverside (6-3, 4-2) trailed Lusher (2-7, 1-5) 7-0 early after Andrew Lagarde’s 85-yard touchdown reception on a Michael Evans pass.

The tables violently turned in the opposite direction though, as Riverside jumped up 29-7 after a quarter and led 50-14 at halftime.

Of Riverside’s 10 touchdowns on the day, nine came via the ground game, and one came on defense.

The Rebels unloaded their bench, which contributed 25 second half points.

“We scored early and often,” said Riverside coach Mickey Roussel. “Several times we started in their territory.”

Roussel said it was the longest game he’s ever been involved with, spanning almost three hours.

He also noted that the Rebel offensive line likely had its best overall performance of the season.

“I think they had their best game,” he said.

“We’ve seen it as a work in progress. This is when you want to be playing your best football, so hopefully we’re rounding into our A-game.”

Thomas Crouch carried the ball eight times to gain 113 yards and score a touchdown. Darnell Rachal added 92 yards and three touchdowns on five carries.

Nathan Williams carried nine times for 89 yards and three touchdowns.

Lloyd Johnson gained 70 yards and scored on nine carries, and Trevor Kenney rushed for 28 yards and two touchdowns on five carries.

Crouch put Riverside ahead 8-7 on a 3-yard touchdown run and his own two-point conversion rush in the first quarter.

Williams extended it to 15-7 with a 5-yard scoring run. Jordan Rebaldo’s 35-yard interception return made it 22-7, and Rachal scored the team’s next two touchdowns on carries of six and 44 yards, making it 36-7 early in the second quarter.

Lusher added a score on a fumble return, but Lloyd Johnson and Rachal each added scores before halftime.

Riverside outgained Lusher 514-160 in total yardage. 473 of the Rebel yards came on the ground.

The Rebels now turn their attention to Newman, and Roussel expects a game befitting of the previous high quality games between the teams.

“Both teams know that they’re going to the postseason, so the pressure is off,” said Roussel.

“But I think it’ll be a playoff like atmosphere. It ought to be exciting.”