EAST POINT – Riverdale Academy coach Nathan Edie knew how he wanted the season-opener against Prairie View Academy to start.

His Rebels’ roster size was about half of the visiting Spartans, and on a day in which temperatures topped 100 degrees, he knew Riverdale would need strike first and eat as much clock as possible with meandering drives.

Riverdale accomplished that early goal, winning the toss and scoring an opening touchdown.

But the Spartans numbers, and the heat, kicked in as Riverdale fell 35-14.

“I wanted to have the ball with our boys as fresh as possible and set the tone to start the game,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “We did set the tone early, but PVA’s depth was a big factor.

“They were rotating in several players on defense and keeping their offense fresh. Our boys played both ways all night, and I think it showed the fourth quarter.”

A long run by quarterback Ashton Almond set the stage for a 2-yard plunge from Kaidyn Williams for Riverdale’s first score. An Almond 2-point conversion put the Rebels up 8-0.

But the Spartans hung 28 straight points to build an insurmountable lead.

“I think the beginning of the game showed the type of team we can, and will be,” Edie said. “I think our boys now know what it will take for them to be the best they can be.

“Our staff knows what we need to do to be better also.”

Riverdale (0-1) will travel to Tallulah Academy (1-0) on Friday. Tallulah knocked off Tensas Academy, 48-26, in the opening week.