For the first time since 2017, the Riverside Academy Rebels football team are playing in the semifinal round of the football playoffs.

The Rebels (11-1) will travel to Abbeville to take on the Vermilion Catholic Screaming Eagles in the Division IV Select playoffs Friday at 7 p.m. A win will send the team to the state championship game in the Caesar’s Superdome on Dec. 7.

Riverside advanced to Week 14 after taking a 26-14 road win against district rival, St. Martin’s last week and a 14-12 win over Catholic-Pointe Coupee the week before.

After earning a first-round playoff bye, the Rebels hosted Catholic-Pointe Coupee on Nov. 17 and it was a dog fight, with the Rebels putting up their lowest point total of the season. The visitors were poised to tie the game in the final minutes after scoring a touchdown, but senior Wayne Hymel came up with a big tackle at the goal line to preserve the win.

That win sent the Rebels into a rematch against district opponent, St. Martin’s on Nov. 22.  It was similar story as the first time the two teams met with running back Dedric Lastie running all over the Saints defense. Lastie rushed for 219 yards and three touchdowns on 28 carries. The Rebels were also successful in the air with quarterback Brock Bourgeois passing for 80 yards and one touchdown to Kenric Johnson. The defense also had a great game against the Saints, holding the top running back in the nation, Harlem Berry, to only one touchdown.

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