RESERVE — Riverside Academy is determined to finish strong.

The Rebels (3-4, 2-1) scored on six of their seven possessions in the first half on the way to a 49-18 homecoming victory over Country Day at Mickey Roussel Field in Reserve.

During Friday night’s regular season finale, the Rebels rolled to a 29-0 lead in the first half and added a pair of scores in the third quarter. Six Rebels scored touchdowns and the special teams blocked a punt for a safety (credit Jared Kenney with the block).

Louis Cheneau, Zack Geiger and Garland Robertson scored rushing touchdowns. Jared Hymel, normally a linebacker, scored on a fake punt and on a 1-yard dive.

Quarterback Jordan Loving was 13 of 17 for 164 yards and two touchdowns, a 19-yard strike to Jeremiah Bigham in the first quarter and a 70-yard pass to Jalen Banks in the third.

“It was very important for us just because it was the next game,” Loving said. “We wanted to come out here and play Riverside football and establish our brand. I think we did that. It’s been a rough year. It’s been an up and down crazy year. We like adversity and our main goal is still in front of us.”

Friday’s win was only the third of the season for the Rebels, who lost to Class 5A teams Barbe and Rummel, the No. 1 team in Class 3A De La Salle and to District 9-2A leader Newman by a missed extra point in overtime.

“We challenged our kids to come out and put a complete game together in all three phases and I think we did a good job of that,” said Riverside coach Chris Lachney. “Our team’s been through a lot. Our team’s had an interesting year to say the least. We’re looking forward to finishing it the right way.”

Country Day (5-4, 2-2) got a solid performance from sophomore quarterback Julian Ibieta, who passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns. He threw a 20-yard pass to Christian Becnel for the Cajuns’ first score in the second quarter. The PAT failed, leaving the Cajuns trailing 29-6.

Country Day added a pair of late touchdowns, but the Cajuns were no match for the Rebels in the early going.

Their first possession went three plays for minus-16 yards and backed up to the 4-yard line. Ibieta tried to punt from his own end zone, but Kenney burst through the line for the block. The ball went through the back of the end zone, resulting in a safety.

Robertson returned the ensuing kickoff to the Cajun’s 35-yard line and it only took the Rebels three plays to score. Loving connected with Bigham for the 19-yard touchdown pass, but the PAT failed leaving Riverside with an 8-0 lead.

WSJH – 60, KIPP: BT Washington – 12

West St. John High pushed its winning streak to five games, soundly defeating KIPP – B.T. Washington 60-12 Thursday on Senior Night in Edgard.

“Our seniors are a good group that has been together for quite some time,” coach Brandon Walters said. “I like to joke with them a lot. This class here, I’ve known them and have been around, teaching the majority of them in fifth and sixth grade. I’ve watched them grow up, each and every one of them.”

The Rams (7-2, 3-0) have certainly grown up since a Sept. 29 61-6 victory over White Castle. The win kick started WSJH’s current streak that has included the Rams scoring 227 points, compared to 25 from their opponents.

A lot of familiar faces shined this week, as running back Niko Davis scored four touchdowns. Kylan Duhe joined him in the hit parade, rushing for 126 yards, while running for and catching scores.

Defensively, Kelon Gardner snagged an interception, while Dontrell Davis picked up two interceptions of his own.

The game’s highlight might have come on the final play when Trenton Gros recovered a fumble and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown.

Walters said quarterback D’Andre Gaudia continues to grow as a signal called and team leader, reaching 1,900 yards passing for the season with his work this week against KIPP.

Despite the recent run of lopsided victories, Walters said plenty of work still needs to be done.

“It’s never as pretty as it should be,” he said. “We just need to work on being consistent on a day-to-day basis.”

De La Salle – 28, SCC – 0

The Comets ran into a buzz saw Friday night, becoming the latest victim of, perhaps, the state’s finest team — De La Salle (8-0).

The Cavaliers traveled to LaPlace, and left with a 28-0 shutout of the Comets.

It was De La Salle’s second successful trip to St. John the Baptist Parish, having defeated Riverside Academy in Reserve 42-21 earlier this season.

Friday’s game was tight early, with De La Salle up 7-0 after the first quarter on the strength of a Julien Gums’ 59-yard touchdown run and missed field goal by SCC.

The Comets fumbled a second quarter play at the 10-yard line and had a dropped ball interception later in the frame to miss out on scoring opportunities and contribute to a 21-0 halftime deficit.