Rebels look for repeat trip to quarterfinals

Published 12:00 am Wednesday, November 16, 2011

By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — Riverside has been in this spot before.

The No. 25-seeded Rebels drew No. 8 seed Donaldsonville in 2009, a 9-1 Tigers team favored by many to go far. But Riverside upset the host Tigers en route to a run to the state quarterfinals.

This Riverside team entered the Class 2A postseason with a higher ranking, seeded at No. 11. But nonetheless, the Rebels are once again faced with a tall task as they must visit undefeated University Lab, the bracket’s sixth seed.

University (11-0) edged Episcopal in District 7-2A play, 21-17, to take the league title while handing the Knights their only loss of the season.

The Cubs have scored 42 points or more in each of the last five weeks. They’ve scored 50 points or more three times. University defeated Rebels’ district foe Newman in the opening week of the season, 27-6. Newman upended Riverside, 21-7, in district play.

“They’ve scored a lot of points,” said Riverside coach Mickey Roussel. “Their running back (Nick Brossette) has rushed for 1,200 yards and he’ll see the bulk of the work. Their quarterbacks do a good job managing the offense. The challenge for us is to prevent the big play, be sure in our tackling. We did that for the most part on Friday. If you make a team continue to execute, it leaves the chance of a bad play derailing a drive.”

University is in its second season under coach Chad Mahaffey, after going 7-5 in 2010. The team runs out of a spread attack similar to Riverside’s.

“They’re a lot like us. They run a lot of the same plays that we do,” said Roussel. “We’ve faced a ton of spread offenses this year.”

University’s defense has been stout in most games, allowing 17 points or less in nine of their 11 matchups. The two exceptions came in district wins over Dunham, 52-28, and Redemptorist, 55-28.

“When you’re 11-0, it’s usually for a reason. Usually, your defense plays consistently well.”

That said, a Riverside (8-3) team that has historically thrived once the calendar turns to November will not be intimidated, even if the opposition hasn’t tasted defeat.

“We know we’re going to face an undefeated team,” Roussel said. “But the way we feel, it’s the playoffs now. Everyone left is undefeated.”

The Rebels lost leading rusher and receiver Nate Williams early on with an injury in Friday’s 42-12 playoff win over DeQuincy, but Roussel said he returned to practice on Monday.

Riverside, meanwhile, played bend but don’t break defense in the first half against DeQuincy, then simply didn’t bend thereafter. The Tigers marched into Rebels territory on four of its first five drives. Each ended in a turnover.

In Williams’ stead stepped up Jonquial Sanders, who has split rushing duties with Williams all season. Sanders gained over 250 total yards, scoring three touchdowns.

“I wanted to come out and carry my team, carry it for Nate,” said Sanders. “He’s a brother to me. All of my teammates are like brothers.”

The momentum of the game shifted to Riverside for good after an interception by Lucas Martin on a third and 22 play at its own 47. Sanders made the Tigers pay. He ripped off a 43 yard run up the middle to set up a 4-yard run by Gerald Songy to make it 7-0 with 27 seconds left in the first quarter.

DeQuincy had just crossed the 50 on its next drive when the Rebels forced a fumble that was recovered by Josh Ladner at the Riverside 47. Sanders exploded for a 42-yarder setting up a 5-yard score to make it 14-0 with 5:30 left.

That opened the floodgates. The Rebels forced another punt, then Scioneaux hit Sanders on a pretty pass up the seam for a 58-yard score to make it 21-0 with 2:39 left in the second quarter.

Scioneaux also connected with Jeremiah Berteau and Sanders on second half touchdown passes.

He ran for one as well, netting him four total on the night.

“There’s no better feeling than winning in the playoffs. It feels real good,” said Scioneaux.