DELCAMBRE -- Going into the third quarter with the score tied at 14, the coaching staff at Delcambre High School knew they had to make some adjustments quickly against a winless Vermilion Catholic if they wanted to remain undefeated in District 8-A and play for the district championship against Gueydan High School in Week 10.

Led by senior running backs Lane Reaux, Kyle Romero and Taylor Romero and junior Jorey Renard, Delcambre’s offense scored 19 unanswered second-half points to pull away from their district rival, winning what was a close game until the third quarter, 33-14.

The Panthers improved to 6-2 overall and 3-0 in district with their sixth straight win. It was Delcambre’s first win over VC (0-8, 0-3) since 1996.

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DHS ran for 329 yards to help lead a strong second-half ground attack. Renard had 128 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Kyle Romero added 92 yards on 16 runs and Reaux finished with 81 yards on 11 rushes.

“When we went in for halftime our heads were not in the football game,” Reaux said. “We made some key adjustments at halftime and our offensive line starting blocking better. Our coaches told us to keep our head up and we did what we had to do going into the showdown against Gueydan next week.”

Starting the third quarter from Delcambre’s 45-yard line, Reaux rushed four times for 36 yards before he scored untouched from the 6-yard line to put the Panthers up for good. Later in the game Taylor Romero had a chance to see the end zone in the fourth quarter when he caught a 42-yard touchdown pass from Chris Esponge.

Delcambre head coach Darcey Delcambre said when his team went in for halftime he told his players just to play their brand of football.

“We were not doing the things we were used to doing in the first half,” the coach said. “We had to stop making mistakes and play some hardnosed football and our offensive line played more physical in the second half. We have Gueydan next week. They are undefeated in district and we are undefeated in district also. Next week is for the district championship and it should be a good game.”

Delcambre said his team is playing good football at the right time of the year.

“We had a real good second half tonight,” he said.

Despite his team’s winless efforts this year, VC head coach Brad Topham said he is still proud of his team.

“I cannot ask for any more out of these kids,” he said. “These are high school kids and we need to stop worrying about records in society. These kids showed a lot of heart and character tonight against a well-coached, good Delcambre High School football team.”

“I am proud of my kids,” Topham said. “If we play like this next week against Hanson Memorial we should win.”