This week, Riverside will attempt to win its third straight game as the Rebels hit the road to face South Plaquemines on Friday.

The Hurricanes (1-2) defeated Sojourner Truth Academy, 33-0, last week to garner their first win after losses to Belle Chasse and West St. John to begin the season.

Craig Laborde guides the team in his first year as head coach after heading the Miller McCoy football program. SPHS operates out of its familiar spread, powered by dual threat quarterback Lorne Barthelemy.

“Our defense will have its hands full with Barthelemy,” said Roussel. “With his speed, you have to account for 11 with him at quarterback. That puts pressure on the defense. We’ve got to not give up the big play and play solid assignment football … They’re getting a new system down with the coaching change. But we’re still going down there and we need to be well-prepared.”

Like the Rebels, South Plaquemines comes off of a strong season — the Hurricanes finished as a Class 1A semifinalist — but like the Rebels, the lineup has gone through much turnover. South Plaquemines returns just 8 starters.

Brusly controlled the ball Friday night at Riverside, a game the Rebels won 30-27, outgaining the Rebels 395-212 and gaining 235 yards on the ground. But despite having over 20 less offensive snaps than the Panthers, RA converted their opportunities into points. 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.

Riverside led 20-7 in the first half. Brusly rallied to tie the game at 20 on Sherrod Patterson’s 5-yard touchdown run. Scioneaux connected with Williams to put RA back ahead, but Brusly fired back on Christophe’s 75-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Crawford.

Evan Veron was one of the game’s heroes, scoring a touchdown on a fumble recovery and intercepting a pass in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to stop a Brusly rally.

RIVERSIDE REBELS