By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Host Riverside rode a stout defensive performance and its stable of running backs to a 17-13 jamboree victory over rival St. Charles Catholic Friday night.

Hardell Mack’s 9-yard touchdown run with 12 seconds left gave RA the lift, capping a second-half Rebels’ rally. 

SCC held Riverside to 21 yards of total offense in the first half, with Tyler Gauthier’s 26-yard field goal the Rebels’ score en route to a 6-3 SCC halftime lead. 

Justin Loupe’s 10-yard scoring run at the 10:18 mark of the second half extended SCC’s lead to 13-3 before Riverside answered with its first touchdown, a 20-yard Jordan Loving pass to Brandon Sanders.

 Then the Comets nearly landed a decisive blow: SCC defensive back Jayce Snowden intercepted Riverside passer Jordan Loving and returned the pick for a score, but an illegal block in the back penalty negated the run back.

The penalty proved costly, as the Comets fumbled the ball away in Riverside territory, proving the night’s big momentum swing. Riverside took over with 3:18 remaining, leading to Mack’s game-winning score.

The night was heavy on penalties. SCC was flagged 13 times for 130 yards; Riverside, eight times for 40. 

Loving finished his live debut performance as Riverside’s quarterback with 12 completions on 18 attempts for 128 yards and a touchdown. His favorite receiver was Herb McGee, who caught three passes for 51 yards. 

Austin Weber completed 8 of 10 passes for 108 yards, while Dane Authement caught three passes for 48 yards.