By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — For Riverside, its frustrating loss to Loranger in the season opener must feel like decades ago.

For the second time in two weeks, the Rebels left their home fans with a heart-stopping, down to the wire victory as it handed visiting Brusly its first loss of the season, 30-27.

C.J. Edler’s 32-yard field goal with 7:56 left in regulation provided the winning points, and linebacker Evan Veron the clinching play — his interception of Brusly quarterback Jay Christophe with 12 seconds left halted a Panther drive that had reached the Rebel 30. That drive began at the Riverside 12.

Brusly outgained Riverside 395-212, including 235 yards on the ground. But Riverside converted their opportunities. Nate Williams gained 123 yards and two touchdowns on 11 total touches (103 rushing). Jonquial Sanders added 44 yards and a score on 13 rush attempts. Tate Scioneaux completed 7 of 16 passes for 57 yards and a score.

The Rebels won the turnover battle, two to one.

Veron was a major difference maker; aside from his interception, he also scored the game’s first points, recovering a fumble in the Brusly endzone in the first quarter to put RA ahead 7-0.

Christophe tied the game on a 1-yard touchdown run. Riverside answered back twice before the half, first on a Sanders 3-yard touchdown run, then on Williams’ 43-yard score.

Brusly got within a touchdown before halftime when Christophe connected with DiMario Jackson for a five-yard touchdown pass.

The Panthers fired back early in the second half, tying the game 20-20 on Sherrod Patterson’s 5-yard touchdown run.

Riverside fired back for the lead on Scioneaux’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Williams. But again, Christophe lived up to his strong reputation, connecting with Patrick Crawford for a 75-yard touchdown to make it 27 all.

That set the stage for Edler to give his team the lead, and Veron to keep it for hood.