Wolves clip Bobcats in thriller

By John Burson
Sports Writer
RAYNE – The Eunice High Bobcats came just short in falling to the Rayne High Wolves here Friday night.
Paul Trosclair’s Bobcats put on an aerial show, accounting for 222 yards of passing, but the Wolves of Curt Ware went to the ground attack, rushing for 271 yards to nip the Bobcats by a 28-27 margin.
The Bobcats dominated the first quarter, taking the opening kickoff and advancing down the field on a 56-yard, 11-play drive before being stopped at the Wolves’ 5-yard line on a fourth-and-three.
The Bobcat defense got the ball back for their offense with 2:40 left in the first quarter.
After a Rayne punt, the Bobcats went 70 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead on a Jaden Brasseaux 22-yard touchdown pass to Dashawn Vigers. The key play of the drive was a 33-yard pass from Brasseaux to Vigers. Austin Phillips made the PAT kick.
The Cats had a chance to get the ball right back as Brandon Ndubueze recovered the kickoff for the Cats at the Rayne 40. But on the Cats’ first offensive play Brasseaux was intercepted by Zach Fontenot, giving the ball back to the Wolves.
Rayne then drove 60 yards in eight plays for a touchdown. Darien Harmon found the end zone on an 8-yard run and Morgan Manuel booted the PAT to tie the game at 7-7 with 6:32 left in the first half.
The Cats marched from their 35 to the Rayne 12-yard line after receiving the Wolves’ kickoff. A Brasseaux to Jordan Ledet pass covered 32 yards to spark the drive, but the Wolves kept the Cats out of the end zone on a fourth-and-one at the 12.
The Eunice defense got the ball back for its offense with 2:27 left in the half by forcing a Rayne punt. The ball was tipped and the Cats gained possession at the Eunice 49.
After a penalty, Brasseaux teamed with Seth Venable on a 3-yard pass, then lofted a pass to Ledet who hauled it in and outran the secondary to complete a 48-yard touchdown with 1:53 left in the half. Phillips missed wide on the PAT kick, but the Cats held a 13-7 lead at the half.
The Wolves took the second half kickoff and promptly marched 77-yards on 14 plays to take the lead. Donald Doucet did the honors on a five-yard run and Manuel converted the PAT kick to put the Wolves up 14-13 with 4:35 left in the third quarter.
The Cats were unable to move the ball after receiving the kickoff, but a 50-yard punt by Brasseaux backed the Wolves inside their 20.
Georrein Dupre would set up the Cats next score when he intercepted a Doucet pass, giving the Cats the football at the Rayne 33.
Sophomore running back Avery Lee took over at that point, rushing three times for six, 15, and 10 yards. The last run by Lee was for a touchdown. Lee ran for two points to put the Cats ahead 21-14 on the final play of the third quarter.
Rayne got a 27-yard kickoff return by Fontenot to set up a touchdown drive that was capped by Johnny Deculit’ 18-yard scoring run. Manuel’s PAT kick tied the game at 21-21.
The Cats answered back after taking possession at their own 35. Brasseaux teamed with Vigers on a 28-yard pass play, then found Dupre with a 20-yard strike to set an 8-yard scoring run by Lee. The PAT kick was blocked, giving the Cats just a 27-21 lead with 7:31 left in the game.
The Wolves overcame a block in the back on the kickoff to drive 82-yards in seven plays to take the lead. A Doucet to Deculit pass was good for 20 and Winbush had a 17-yard run to set up his 3-yard touchdown run. Manuel’s PAT kick put the Wolves up 28-27.
The Cats battled back, moving from their own 35 to the Rayne 6-yard line. But the Cats were unable to get any closer and on fourth down, with 22 seconds left, attempted a field goal by Phillips. Penetration by the Wolves resulted in a block, allowing the Wolves to run out the clock.
Brasseaux completed 17 of 21 passes for 222 yards, with Vigers catching five for 105 yards before he left with an injury. Ledet had six receptions for 78 yards and Lee rushed 23 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns.