Rebels building upon difficult schedule
Published 12:07 am Wednesday, October 4, 2017
- Running back Jeremy Gibson, No. 7, and quarterback Jordan Loving, No. 9, give Riverside Academy football fans plenty to be hopeful for during the second half of the 2017 season despite a slow 1-3 start. The Rebels have played one of Louisiana’s hardest schedules, and RA coaches believe it gives Riverside the best chance to peak at the end of the regular season and playoffs. (Stephen Hemelt/L’OBSERVATEUR)
RESERVE — Chris Lachney said he was not interested in peaking in September, but was more concerned with getting his Rebels battle tested for a probable playoff run.
To do so, he loaded the Rebels’ early schedule with games against Southern Lab, Barbe, Rummel and De La Salle. Riverside — last season’s state champion — is now 1-3.
The tough start hasn’t changed Lachney’s approach.
“I believe that we have an advantage over a lot of people right now, maybe who haven’t played as difficult a schedule as we have because we know who we are right now and what we have to fix,” Lachney said. “We look at it as getting a head start on everybody else in terms of knowing what mistakes we are fixing.”
One thing that is obvious to football fans is the Rebels remain a talented team.
Quarterback Jordan Loving faced pressure all night last Friday and still passed for 255 yards and a score against De La Salle.
Jeremy Gibson and Louis Cheneau are dangerous in the running game.
In the passing game, Loving has a host of talented players to target including Kash Foley, Garland Robinson Jr., Jeremiah Bigham, Jalen Banks and Jaylen Watkins.
Before the season started, Lachney was quick to point out last season’s success was not something that would help win games this year.
“We don’t look at it as a continuation of last year,” he said. “We are starting from scratch. None of those wins count anymore. None of those points get to count this year. None of those big stops on defense count. We are writing our own story this year.”
Mason Scioneaux, a returning starter on the offensive line, remains a key cog.
On defense, the Rebels need Jared Hymel, Le’Boe Bridges, Wilbert Robertson and Wilson Battley to set a tone at the line of scrimmage.
Following last week’s tough 42-21 loss to De La Salle, Lachney said his staff and players knew offensive possessions were going to be at a premium and needed to be maximized.
“We didn’t do that, but (De La Salle) had a lot to do with that,” he said. “I know we’re not as bad as we showed (Friday), so we have to move on and get better.”
