By Matt Vines, Journal Sports

In a season in which injuries to key Riverdale Academy football players have prevented the Rebels from testing their mettle against an opponent of similar strength, Friday’s second-round playoff game might prove to be just that opportunity.

No. 7 seed Riverdale (5-5) heads to No. 2 seed Lee Academy (4-5) in the second round of the Class 1A MAIS playoffs.

The Rebels have been at full strength in three of the last four games, all of which have been wins when they’ve been healthy.

Riverdale welcomed back the full return of quarterback Ashton Almond for a 34-14 win against Franklin Academy before dominating Tensas Academy (50-0) and Union Christian Academy (44-0) in the last two weeks.

The Rebels dominated the offensive and defensive lines particularly against UCA, which allowed running back Kaidyn Williams to accumulate 233 rushing yards and five touchdowns on just 14 carries. That’s more than 16 yards per touch.

The defensive line pressured UCA all night, forcing two interceptions and derailing any drive that UCA was able to muster.

The win means that this senior class reaches the second round of the playoffs in all four years, logging its first playoff win since 2022 (earned a first-round bye).

But this year is a little different – most of Riverdale’s players are in their first seasons of extensive playing experience after a veteran bunch has excelled in each of the past two campaigns.

“I think in any other year, experience would be a huge factor,” said Riverdale coach Nathan Edie. “This year, we have a lot of new starters who had to gain experience throughout this season.

“I think (fellow coach Denver Williams) and I had to learn what we’re best at and focus on that.”

Riverdale will take a roster in which nearly every current player didn’t play against Lee Academy two years ago when the Rebels lost a fourth-quarter lead and were eliminated (44-24 loss).

That loss came in the 2022 Class 1A semifinals, denying Riverdale a chance at a state championship game appearance and paving the way for Lee to win that state title.

While this season hasn’t gone according to plan, Riverdale is finally healthy enough to put together a version of themselves that they anticipated would be on display all season.

And in a season in which no game (win or loss) has been decided by fewer than 20 points, Riverdale is likely in for a four-quarter game for the right to reach the Class 1A semifinals.

Edie said there’s really only lesson to be learned by the current players from that 2022 loss to Lee.

“Never think the game is over,” said Edie, whose Rebels surrendered 28 fourth-quarter points after taking an eight-point lead into the final period. “We have to play a full 40 minutes to move on, regardless of the score.”

In the eight-man football world, teams typically spread out their opponents to create space for their athletes.

Lee Academy lines up with two tight ends and aims to punish its opponents within a smaller window, which can also allow runs to bounce outside into space.

“Lee is a physical team, and it will be on us to match that physicality,” Edie said. “They challenge you with misdirection, and we have to remain disciplined in our assignments, and make tackles.”

Lee has won its last three games with vast offensive improvement after a 1-5 start in which the offense scored 20 or more points just twice.