By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

With Newman looming a week from Friday night, the focus at Riverside this week is simple as it prepares to visit Fisher: the foot doesn’t come off the gas.
“We know we have to be playing at a certain level. We can’t take a step back,” said Riverside coach Bill Stubbs. “You want to be building momentum as you enter that football game, because that’s what they’ve been doing.”
Riverside (4-1) has been red hot since a tough season opening loss to Evangel, winning four straight games, three of them by at least four touchdowns.
Fisher, conversely, is struggling mightily at 0-4. It’s been outscored 126-0 in its last two contests, the latter a 54-0 loss to St. James.
The Rebels have relied more on the running game than was the case a year ago, something that’s been by design as Riverside seeks to distract teams from overloading against it’s potent passing game. The Rebels have churned out strong ground production from three rushers, with freshman Hardell Mack breaking out for four touchdowns Friday night.
But the passing game has still shown to be spectacular when called upon. Deuce Wallace finished first in the River Region in passing yardage last season, while top receivers Herb McGee and Von Julien were ranked first and second respectively in receiving yardage.
On Friday night, Wallace tossed three first quarter touchdowns to help put Cohen away early. McGee hauled in one of those, while Peyton Falgoust and Darrion Cook secured the other two.
Stubbs said that Wallace has only improved as his sophomore year has rolled along, both on and off the field.
“He’s shown much better command of the offense,” said Stubbs. “His mechanics are better and he’s better at throwing the deep ball. He’s also showing a little more leadership on the field than we ever expected him to at this point in his career.’