Matt Vines

EAST POINT – One challenge for Riverdale early this season is taking a thin roster and hang with opponents for four quarters.

The Rebels (1-3) battled early against Porter’s Chapel Academy on Friday, but the Eagles established themselves up front in a 42-6 Riverdale loss.

Porter’s Chapel running back Jase Jung gained 305 yards and four touchdowns while also throwing a 60-yard touchdown.

“We were competing in the first half, but in the second half, they definitely got more push,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “It all starts with the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and we’ve got to be better there.”

The sledding was tough for Riverdale’s offense as an aggressive Eagles’ defense keyed in quarterback runs – no matter the offensive formation.

Riverdale has missed quarterback/tight end/linebacker Ashton Almond, which has typically meant quarterback Kaidyn Williams running of a Wildcat-type formation has accounted for a significant portion of production.

“They were blitzing on nearly every play, and even when we spread the field, they stayed in a run defense,” Edie said. “We just weren’t getting a hat on a hat.

“We were good in the first half, but in the second half, the blocks just weren’t there.”

A bye week comes at a good time for Riverdale, who needs to heal.

But Edie said Almond is out “for the foreseeable future,” which would signal the earliest possible return in the second half of the season.

Riverdale has five regular-season contests after the bye week, starting with hosting Claiborne Academy (2-1) on Sept. 20.

It’s the fourth home game in the Rebels first five contests this season as Riverdale will attempt to log its first home win this season.