Matt Vines

EAST POINT – The Riverdale Academy football team scored in the first half for the first time this season, but the Rebels couldn’t keep pace with Lafayette County (Ark.) in a 60-6 loss Friday.

Jackson Hillman caught a pass from Jayden Jones as Riverdale sliced Lafayette County’s lead to 30-6 at the end of the first quarter.

The Cougars (1-0), who opened their season Friday, added three second-quarter touchdowns to lead 48-6 at the half.

Lafayette County, a Class 2A public school out of Arkansas, took advantage of its roster size, which nearly doubled Riverdale’s, and their edge in size and speed due in part to a larger school enrollment.

“We threw a pick-6 out of the gate to give them an early 6-0 lead,” said Riverdale coach Denver Williams. “Then we lost a lineman midway through the first quarter that hurt our offensive scheme.”

But the first-year coach who held just eight summer and preseason practices said the Rebels (0-3) are making progress.

“Chemistry is starting to come together,” Williams said. “We’re buckling in on the offense.

“We’re still without (running back) Brody Tong, who went down with a hip injury in Week 1. We lost Shawn Ward during Monday’s practice with a leg injury, so that hurt us a little more Friday.”

Injuries are difficult to overcome with a 12-player roster playing eight-man football.

Riverdale will try to heal up before they head to Tensas Academy on Friday.

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