BOUTTE — The Riverside Academy Rebels (2-1) traveled to Tiger Stadium in Boutte to take on Hahnville Tigers (2-1) in one of the state’s most exciting match-ups Friday night.

The Rebels relied on a stiff defense to stifle Hahnville’s aggressive run game in a close 10-7 win.

“It was good ballgame — hard fought on both sides,” Riverside Academy head coach Bill Stubbs said. “The way we won it was pretty much how we did last week (against Parkview Baptist) where our kids protected the lead and we were able to hold on to it until the end of the game. That shows they are a pretty good group of kids.”

The low scoring game saw the Rebels drive from their own 10-yard-line to get out to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter off a Tyler Gauthier field goal from 23 yards out.

Riverside added to the score in the second quarter with another long drive, 90 yards, this time ending in a touchdown off a 15-yard run by quarterback Herb McGee.

It was all defense from there on out.

In the third quarter, Hahnville drove the ball deep into Riverside territory, but the Rebels defense forced and recovered a fumble.

The Rebels came back with their own drive, bringing the ball down to the Hahnville 23-yard-line but were stopped on fourth-down-and-two.

With 4:19 left in the game, Hahnville finally scored one a 15-yard touchdown pass, but the Rebels were able to run the clock out on the next possession to win the game.

Stubbs said he felt his defense has gotten better since the season opener.

“They are playing lights out,” Stubbs said. “The last three weeks they are just getting better and better. The sky might be the limit for those guys. They understand the scheme and they play it with passion. They love doing what they do, and it certainly shows on Friday nights.”

In particular, Stubbs said the number of players throwing themselves at the other team’s ball carriers is impressive and has cumulative effect.

“Our guys played hard, and they fly to the football,” Stubbs said. “They play assignment football. When they take care of their assignment, you are going to get 11 hats around that ball all of the time. If you takes those body shots long enough, and it is going to take its toll. We controlled the line of scrimmage. I think we had a lot pressure.”

Stubbs was hesitant to pick out any one player to spotlight in the victory.

“I think it is really more of a team effort,” Stubbs said. “You’ve got a lot of guys making a lot of plays. Of course everybody always wants to put the spotlight on the offense. But defensively, it is 11 guys playing in unison. It is a pretty picture when they paint it. I was pleased all the way across the board. It was a total team effort.”