Matt Vines

Riverdale healed up significantly during its bye week, and the Rebels are ready to end the regular season with a bang when they host Tensas Academy on Friday.

Riverdale (2-6, 1-1) can secure second place in District 3-1A with a win against Tensas (1-9, 1-1).

The Rebels have battled injuries and little depth all season, but coach Nathan Edie said his boys are about as healthy as they can be at the end of a football season.

Edie added that quarterback/linebacker Ashton Almond and running back/defensive Kaidyn Williams have recovered from injuries that forced them to leave the 58-28 loss to Wilkinson County Christian Academy two weeks ago.

“We had a good bye week, and we healed up a bit,” Edie said. “At this point in the season, injuries take longer to heal.

“But we’ll be a full go on Friday. Kaidyn and Ashton are two of the toughest kids you’ll find on a football field, and they are ready to go.”

When Riverdale has been healthy, they’ve been a handful for opponents.

The Rebels trailed district champion WCCA but just one score at halftime before injuries impacted the final result.

Riverdale was relatively healthy in its 34-14 win against Franklin Academy three weeks ago.

They’ll face a Tensas squad who is riding high after suffering through a winless season until last week’s 48-6 thumping of Franklin.

Tensas has proven it can move the ball and put up points as its offense has scored at least 20 points in four games.

“Tensas is a young, athletic team,” Edie said. “If we don’t contain their skill players and they have free run, they can put up a lot points on the board.

“Defensively, they are quick, bring pressure and fly to the ball.”

Defense has been more of the issue as opponents have piled on 48 or more points in eight contests.
Riverdale would like to lean on its offensive and defensive lines to establish both lines of scrimmage and wear down the Tensas bunch.

The Rebels are 2-6 on the field, but River Oaks could be forfeiting all of its wins if the Mustangs don’t win an appeal with the MidSouth Association of Independent Schools.

A win against Tensas and its River Oaks forfeit win could mean Riverdale hosts a first-round playoff game.

But first, the Rebels want to send their seniors out with a win in their final home game.

Senior captains Williams and Logan Gryder lead a four-player class that includes Brayden Pearah and Logan Martin.