Matt Vines

EAST POINT – There’s something about rivalry week that brings out the best in a team.

For a Riverdale Academy football team that’s made visible improvement since the season began, the Rebels aim to showcase everything they’ve gathered Friday when they take on rival Claiborne Academy in Haynesville.

The road game is Riverdale’s second straight, which will be the first time this season that the Rebels have traveled in consecutive weeks.

Riverdale (0-6) lost at Porter’s Chapel by a score of 44-22, but the game featured a season-high in points scored and the first time Riverdale outscored a team in a half (16-8 in the second half).

Now the Rebels will try to put those pieces together against a rival in Claiborne (4-1) that has been impressive throughout this season.

Claiborne has scored 38 points or more in each of their four wins, including totals of 70 points and 50 points (a 50-28 win against Porter’s Chapel to open the season).

Riverdale’s defense will keep an eye on the sky as Claiborne quarterback Craten Ware has thrown for 1,169 yards and 18 touchdowns.

Riverdale’s offense has also made improvements under quarterback Jayden Jones and an up-and-coming offensive line.

The Rebels are coming off their best week yet, which started with a junior varsity win against Lafayette County.

It’s been a process for first-year head coach Denver Williams, who was able to put together a team in time for eight preseason practices.

But the Rebels have been full throttle since August and will have their first breather with a late-season bye week after the Claiborne game.

A rivalry win to end what’s grown into a lengthy losing streak (16 games) would sure make the bye week that much more enjoyable.

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