Running game, defense power Tigers

LOREAUVILLE -- Going into Friday’s night contest Loreauville High School head football coach Trent Delahoussaye said the gameplan was to keep the ball in the hands of his playmakers, running backs B.J. Greene and Nick Julien, and let his defense hold their own in a key district 6-2A contest against the Port Barre High School Red Devils.

And, from the beginning of the first period to the last second of the game the Tigers did just that, dominating the game rushing the football with his stud backs and his defense made plays when they had to in taking a 21-13 win.

The Tigers are now, 6-2 overall and 2-1 in district, one game behind front-runners Jeanerette and Opelousas Catholic.

It did not take Greene and Julien long to make an impact on the game as both players got touches on the first couple of plays. Greene finished the drive with a 34-yard touchdown run with 10:20 left in the first quarter and placekicker Zachary Galatas booted the extra point to make it 7-0.

The two teams then punted and battled for field position on the next couple of possessions before Greene was soon in the end zone again in the second quarter.

The Tigers drove the ball 43 yards and Greene scored on a four-yard touchdown run to make the score 13-0 with 10:44 left in the second quarter. Galatas’ PAT made the score 14-0.

After a three-and-out by the Red Devils offense and a pooch punt the Tigers took the ball over on their on 37-yard line.

Greene then rushed for 35 yards and seven yards on consecutive plays before he found the end zone again on a 10-yard run with 7:45 to go in the half. The PAT made it 21-0.

“I was in a groove tonight,” Greene said. “The O-line opened some big holes and I hit them hard.”

The Red Devils managed to score their first touchdown of the game with 3:15 left in the second quarter. Derek Stelly scored on a five-yard pass from quarterback Brannon Hargroder. Running back and placekicker Clearance Vedell’s extra point made the score 21-7.

In the second half of the football game Delahoussaye unveiled his version of the wildcat offense with Julien lining up at quarterback.

He ran four plays for runs of two, 30, 13, and 48 before leaving the game with cramps. Julien finished the game with 93 yards rushing while Greene finished with 153 yards on 29 totes.

Port Barre scored another touchdown in the third quarter to make it 21-13, but it was not enough as Delahoussaye gave the ball back to Greene to melt the clock in the fourth quarter.

“We have been jumping on teams the whole year and some way they find a way to get back into the game,” he said following the game. “We dominated the first half and we scored the first 21 points of the game. We knew they were going to concentrate on B.J. after halftime and we decided to go the wildcat with Nick.”

Loreauville outrushed Port Barre on the night 291 to 172 respectively.

“The defense played well and I am proud of this ballclub right now,” Delahoussaye said. “We are going to enjoy this win and get ready for next week ballgame.

Port Barre head coach Mac Mistric was unavailable for comment after the game.

LHS takes on Sacred Heart of Ville Platte next week while Port Barre takes on Ville Platte.