Matt Vines

EAST POINT – There’s no better way to start a football season than a home game with your rival.

The Riverdale Academy football team will open the 2025 football schedule with Claiborne Academy on Aug. 22.

The season starts a week later than this past season, which should help a little with early-season temperatures.

The Rebels head to Prairie View in Week 2 before a bye in Week 3.

New district alignments shook up Riverdale’s district as the Rebels will travel to Briarfield Academy (Week 4), to Tallulah Academy (Week 9), and at home against Union Christian Academy (Week 10) in league play.

UCA is the only team left from Riverdale’s old district, which dropped Franklin Academy, Tensas Academy and Wilkinson County Christian Academy.

Riverdale did play Tallulah in non-district action this past season.

The non-district schedule continues with home dates against Porter’s Chapel Academy (Week 5) and Tensas (Week 6).

Riverdale heads to River Oaks in Week 7 before hosting in WCCA in Week 8 ahead of its two-game district slate to end regular season.

The Rebels navigated myriad injuries and a small roster to finish 5-6 and win a first-round playoff game.