By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

RESERVE — Can the Riverside Rebels adjust and move on after the departure of standout quarterback Deuce Wallace, who departs Riverside before his junior season as he moves with his family back to his native Tennessee? 

Football coach Bill Stubbs answered that question with authority: The Rebels, he said, already have.

“Our kids … you know, Deuce is their friend and from that standpoint, they do miss him, miss having him here,” Stubbs said. “But on the field, nobody’s talking about that or dwelling on it. We’ve established a ‘next man up’ mentality over here.

“And I think it’s also made everyone look around and realize there’s no reason they can’t do it here with this group, and that’s because these guys are very good.”

With Wallace goes over 5,000 yards of passing offense and 61 touchdowns over the past two years. But the Rebels do bring back a wealth of experience on both sides of the ball, beginning with one of the most productive receiving corps in the state. 

Herb McGee, Von Julien and Darrion Cook present major problems for a defensive coordinator, each combining great speed with size (McGee stands at 6’3”, Julien at 6’2” and Cook at 6’). 

“I wouldn’t trade that group, collectively, for anyone else out there,” Stubbs said. “The receiving group as a whole, I mean. You might have guys out there getting this offer, that D-I interest … Nobody works harder than these guys.

“And I’ll tell you what else, they’ve been offended, I think, that people have said that these are basketball players trying to play football. They’re football players, trust me. They’re tough as they come.”

The Rebels boast a deep backfield led by Brandon Sanders and an offensive line that’s ascended over Stubbs’ first two years as coach. 

It looks to fall — primarily, at least — on freshman Jordan Loving to lead the way at quarterback. Stubbs said he likes the way Loving has stepped up to the task, so far. He said that McGee is also working at quarterback again after successfully filling in for Wallace last season, as is freshman Jared Butler. </p>

Stubbs said Loving and McGee, ideally, will be used in tandem, McGee a speedy change of pace to Loving, a traditional pocket passer. 

“Herb gives us another dynamic and we’re working to maximize that skillset there,” Stubbs said. “Even if Jordan gets off to a great start, we can turn to (McGee) as that change of pace.”

Defensively, lineman Joe Anderson and Richie George and linebackers Evan Veron and Brandon Hymel lead an aggressive, playmaking front seven. Riverside’s secondary is losing three key senior starters and the team must find others to fill the void.

“They’re becoming much smarter,” Stubbs said.

“You’re seeing guys not trying to play another guy’s position or do too much. They’re understanding the scheme. And, boy, when you’ve got that, it makes all the difference in the world. It’s a massive difference.”

Stubbs credited not only his players for a strong summer of work so far but also his coaches. 

“They’ve really taken it to another level,” Stubbs said. “I’m so excited with what I’m seeing from this staff. These guys have been extremely focused and energetic, day after day. They’re responding in a big way.”