By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — Miller McCoy quarterback Norbert Ralph showed on Friday night that his standing at the top of the state’s list of passing leaders was no fluke. But a resilient Riverside team overcame Ralph and a ferocious comeback to survive a 48-47 shootout at Riverside.

Ralph passed for 572 yards and five touchdowns in a losing effort. But McCoy trailed 21-7 early and later 48-27; the Lions overcame the first deficit and almost the second, scoring a late touchdown and two-point conversion to cut Riverside’s final victory margin to one.

The Rebels move to 5-2 with the non-district victory.

Jonquial Sanders had a big night for Riverside, rushing for 167 yards and scoring three touchdowns.

The Rebels created some points on defense and special teams when Grady Gieger returned a kickoff 65 yards for a score and Evan Veron scored on a fumble return; those back-to-back touchdowns put RA ahead 21-7.

Sanders’ 5-yard touchdown reception put RA ahead 34-27 at halftime, after McCoy marched back to tie.

Tate Scioneaux opened up a three-score lead for Riverside with two third quarter touchdown passes, the first a 39-yarder to Lucas Martin, the second a 5-yard pass to Nate Williams to make it 48-27.

Williams finished with 68 rushing yards. Scioneaux threw four touchdown passes.

McCoy dropped to 2-5 on the season.