Bobcats shut out Devils

The Eunice High Bobcats scored three touchdowns in the first quarter to take early control against the Port Barre High Devils on the way to a 35-0 victory in district play Friday night at Bobcat Stadium.
The Bobcats improved their overall record to 8-1 and their district mark to 4-0 with the win. The Red Devils dropped to 5-4 overall and to 1-3 in district play with the loss.
Coach Paul Trosclair’s Bobcats struck quickly after receiving the opening kickoff from the Red Devils. Wesley Hebert returned the kickoff 15 yards to the Eunice 34.
After an incomplete pass on first down, Darin Serie turned the corner for 14 yards, then Nick Powell broke free around left end for a 52-yard touchodwn. Hebert kicked the PAT for a 7-0 lead with 11:16 left in the first quarter.
The Red Devils picked up a first down on their first possession, but the Cats’ defensive unit would force a punt to regain possession. The Cats were ineffective on their possession and punted the ball.
The Bobcats didn’t waste their next opportunity, which came after another Port Barre punt. Taking over at his own 39, senior quarterback Alex Richard teamed with Brandon Nubuzyze on a 29-yard gain to the Devils’ 15. A two-yard loss put the Cats back to the 17, but Powell took the ball into the end zone on the next play for his second touchdown of the game. Hebert kicked the PAT to give the Cats a 14-0 lead with 4:38 left in the half.
The Cats next got the ball after Terryl Poullard recovered a fumble at the Red Devils’ 20. Richard completed three passes after the Cats were assessed with a 5-yard penalty. He hit Travis Godfrey for 15, Vigers for 5, and Poullard for 5 and a touchdown. Hebert booted the PAT to make it 21-0 at the 2:10 mark of the opening quarter.
The Cats would later add a touchdown in the second quarter after a 69-yard, 8-play drive. Hebert ran 11 yards for the touchdown and kicked the PAT with 1:45 left in the half. Key plays on the drive were a Richard to Poullard pass covering 13 yards and runs of 10 and 16 yards by Serie.
The Bobcats completed the scoring late in the third quarter thanks to a 95-yard drive in nine plays. Powell ran for his third touchdown of the contest with a 20-yard burst and Austin Manuel kicked the PAT. Powell had a 17-yard run during the drive and would finish the game with 143 yards on 10 carries. Hebert added a 23-yard run and Logan Manuel had an 11-yard reception on a pass from Richard.
Coach Trosclair felt his team played well. “I think we came out of the game without any serious injury and that’s a good thing this late in the season.”
The Bobcats will complete the regular season this Friday with a trip of Pine Prairie as they try to wrap up the district title with a road win.