Newman Survives Riverside Upset Bid With 31-26 Win

Written by Jonrell Jones

​ Arch Manning had taken over the high school football scene as the next “ can’t miss prospect”. 
Arch is the next QB prodigy from the Manning family line. While he was getting compared to his 
uncle, Hall of Fame QB Peyton Manning, he played more like his grandpa Archie Manning on 
Friday Night. Known for his outstanding passing abilities, the Riverside Rebels defense held 
Arch to only 58 passing yards. Arch responded with 3 touchdowns runs on the night. His 
touchdown carries were needed as Riverside defenses gave him trouble all night. What started as 
an offensive shootout, turned into a defensive battle. 

Riverside marched the opening drive 81 yards downfield. The drive ended with a Luke Hymel 42 yards touchdown reception to Cade Middleton. “ It was an awesome way to open up the game. It gave the offense confidence and helped set the tone of the game for the night”, said Middleton. A Failed extra point made the score 6-0.

​The Greenie then answers back with a long drive of their own. Manning drove his offense 63 yards. Manning capped the drive off with a 2-yard run on fourth down to give 
Newman the 7-6 lead. Riverside in return, answered with another touchdown drive. Facing a 4th 
and long, Hymel threw a dart across the field to David Reynaud who then outran Newman 
defenders down the sideline to give the rebels a 14-7 lead.

Newman responded with a 55-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Manning to tie the game up 14-14 with 33 seconds remaining. Newman opened up the second half with a 65-yard drive that was led by *Harvard commit* Sterling Scott. Scott's 4-yard run gave the Greenie a 21-14 lead. Gage 
Larvadain then led the Rebels on the next drive with a 75-yard touchdown drive. Larvadain's 
touchdown run through the middle of Newman defense had the score 21-20 after a failed two-
point try.

​ "With my team down, I had to step up to make the big-time plays,” said Larvadain. 
After reaching first-and-goal, the Greenies were held by a stout Riverside defense to only 1 
yard. The Greenies had to settle on a 26-yard Kearney Nieset field goal and a 24-20 lead eight seconds into the fourth quarter.

Riverside answered with a long drive of their own. Riverside reached the Newman 5-yard line but failed to capitalize on any points when a Hymel pass to Larvadain fell incomplete on fourth down. Manning with his third touchdown run of the night gave the Greenies a 31-20 lead on the next drive with 4:16 left in the game. Riverside answered right back with a quick score. Riverside needed only 3 plays to score. Hymel tossed his 3rd touchdown of the night to Reynaurd to make the score 31-26 with 3:24 left in the game.

An unsuccessful onside kick gave the Greenies a short field. Riverside defense held strong to try to give the offense a chance to win the game. On 3rd and long, the Rebels defense sacked 
Manning and appeared to be getting the ball back. A costly defensive holding penalty down the 
field gave Neman a new set of downs and Greenies then ran out the clock.

Sterling Scott was Newman’s player of the game. He led the team with 198- rushing yards on 21 carries. Larvadain came into the game averaging over 300 yards total scrimmage yards. While he didn’t put the 
spectacular numbers he usually does, He still flashes his versatility. He finished with 128 
passing yards, 77 rushing yards, and caught one pass for 5 yards. Newman looks to stay 
undefeated next week when they take on the visiting St. Charles Catholic Comets. Riverside 
looks to bounce back from this loss when they take on St. Martin