De La Salle erupts in second half to down Riverdale, 51-14

On a night where Riverdale retired the No. 1 of former Rebels, LSU and current Carolina Panthers star Donte Jackson (see video below), the Rebels played inspired football for a half against favored De La Salle in a District 9-4A showdown in the quest to be No. 1 in the league.

Then, the team which has dominated the district dominated in the second half.

De La Salle scored 37 unanswered points to pull away from Riverdale 51-14 in a showdown for the top spot in the district at Joe Yenni Stadium Thursday night.

Cavaliers head coach Graham Jarrott opted to rest starting quarterback Evan Arceneaux and starting running back Jason Banks in the first half.

Unable to muster enough from their replacements, Jarrott turned to the duo in the second half and things changed dramatically after the Rebels played the Cavaliers to a 14-14 halftime stalemate.

De La Salle opened the scoring, driving 70 yards with Kobe Punds scoring on a 3-yard run to make it 7-0.

Riverdale tied the game at 7-7 when Lance Simmons raced 25 yards for a score to make it 7-7.

Robert Lewis put the Cavaliers back on top with a 4-yard touchdown run to make it 14-7 before Ari Baker returned the ensuing kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown to make it 14-14 by halftime.

De La Salle scored on its opening possession of the second half on an 18-yard run by Jason Banks to make it 21-14.

The defense stepped up with Derrick Irvin coming up with an interception and that set up a 5-yard score by Banks and it was 28-14.

Arceneaux then flexed his fine throwing ability, hitting Levar Fortenberry on a 58-yard touchdown pass to make it 35-14.

The defense then scored again as Tim Maxson sacked Rida Ghazzli in the end zone for a safety and it was 37-14.

Arceneaux then hit Fortenberry on a 16-yard touchdown pass to make it 44-14.

Geo Sanchez capped the scoring with a 39-yard touchdown run in the final quarter to account for the final margin.

De La Salle finished with 373 yards, including 194 yards rushing.

Arceneaux completed 5-of-8 passes for 113 yards and two scores while Pounds rushed 13 times for 81 yards and a touchdown. Fortenberry caught three passes for 83 yards and two touchdowns.

The Cavaliers held Riverdale to 121 total yards, just 50 in the second half.

“Evan was not completely healthy so we felt it was best to rest him,” De La Salle coach Graham Jarrott said. “We rested Banks as well. We played uninspired. I jumped them at halftime. We put them both in and we played the way we should have played from then on. I don’t know we were totally over the Newman loss but we awakened.”

The win sets up another district showdown with Booker T. Washington November 2 in a game you can listen to on NASH ICON 106.1 FM.

De La Salle (3-5, 2-0) returns to action next Saturday evening against St. Augustine at Tad Gormley Stadium at 7 p.m. in a game you can also hear on NASH ICON 106.1 FM.

“St. Augustine is super-talented,” Jarrott said. “What you worry about is they play to their ability and not make mistakes. They are similar to us with mistakes costing them. Their defensive tackles are terrific. They will be the most talented team we play this year.”

Riverdale (3-5, 1-1) will take on Booker T. Washington next Friday night at Pan American Stadium.

Louisiana Prep Football Results from Thursday, Oct. 20

Baker 19, Capitol 8

Captain Shreve 42, Southwood 6

Catholic (NI) 49, Franklin 12

Central Private 36, Thrive Academy 28

Chalmette 21, John Ehret 12

Church Point 40, Ville Platte 8

Crowley 45, Livonia 28

De La Salle 51, Riverdale 14

Delta Charter 34, Delhi 0

Jennings 49, Westlake 8

Many 38, Jonesboro-Hodge 6

Marksville 56, Bolton 0

Notre Dame 42, DeQuincy 3

Northwood 35, Booker T. Washington (SHR) 8

Rayne 43, Washington-Marion 0

Riverside Academy 27, Landry 12

Salmen 34, Franklinton 20

Southern Lab 42, Avoyelles 8

St. Charles Catholic 50, M.L. King Charter 0

Varnado 28, Crescent City Christian 6