Bobcats fall in playoff opener

NEW IBERIA – The Westgate High Tigers ended Eunice High’s season on Friday night with a 23-7 victory.

Tigers’ quarterback Aaron Bird scored a touchdown and kicked three field goals to lead his team past Coach Paul Trosclair’s Bobcats. 

The Cats trailed by only a 10-7 margin at halftime, but three turnovers in the second half derailed any comeback attempt.

The Eunice High defensive unit battled to keep the game close, forcing the Tigers to kick field goals on three occasions after they had advanced inside the 12-yard line.

The Cats opened the game with a couple of first downs, advancing to midfield before being forced to punt.

The Tigers took possession on their own 22 and marched down the field in 11 plays for a first-and-goal at the Eunice 6-yard line. 

But the Bobcat defense stiffened, throwing the Tigers for losses on the next three plays. 

That forced a fourth-and-goal from the 14 and Bird kicked a 31-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 3:46 left in the first quarter.

Following the kickoff, the Bobcats fumbled on first down, and even though they recovered, were forced to punt from their own 16.

The Tigers took over inside Eunice territory. They converted a critical third-and-eight for a first down at the 26. 

The Bobcats would forced the Tigers into a fourth-and-one at the 16, but again Westgate made the first down.

With 10:42 left in the first quarter, Bryson Livingston raced around right end for a 16-yard touchdown run. Bird kicked the PAT for a 10-0 lead.

The Cats put together a short drive following the kickoff. Quarterback Alex Richard completed a 9-yard pass to Jerwaski Thomas and Richard added a 7-yard run for a first down. 

But the Cats were later forced to punt. 

The Bobcat defense got the ball right back for their offense after holding the Tigers without a first down on their possession.

After a punt, the Cats took possession at their own 31 and would drive 69 yards in nine plays for a touchdown. 

Key play on the scoring drive was a Richard to Scotty Bihm pass covering 50 yards to the Tigers’ 15. Five-yard runs by Darious Richard and Alex Richard gave the Cats a first-and-goal at the 5. On fourth down, Darious Richard powered in from the 4-yard line for the touchdown. Wesley Hebert nailed the PAT to cut the lead to 10-7 with 2:52 left in the first half.

The Tigers were unable to add their lead prior to halftime, but they came out strong to start the second half, driving 84 yards in 10 plays to the Eunice five-yard line. 

Eunice defender Jerwaski Thomas prevented a touchdown by tackling Bird at the 5-yard line after he ran for 48 yards.

The Cats held the Tigers from scoring on three downs, forcing another Bird field goal - this time from 25 yards at the 6:01 mark of the third quarter. Westgate led 13-7.

Thomas returned the ensuing kickoff 23 yards to the Eunice 25, but on second down, the Tigers’ Douglas Henry intercepted a Richard pass and took it to the end zone. 

The touchdown was called back due to a penalty, and the Bobcat defense rose to challenge by forcing a third Bird field goal from 29 yards, giving the Tigers a 16-7 lead with 3:21 left in the third quarter.

Following the kickoff, the Cats put together a 9-play, 50-yard drive to the Tiger 30. Key plays included a Richard to Thomas pass of 12 yards and runs by Darious Richard and Ty Ceasar of 11 and 14 yards, respectively.

But a fumbled exchange on fourth-and-one at the 30 resulted in a 7-yard loss to end the drive. 

The Tigers would score a touchdown with 2:53 left in the game to seal the victory as Bird powered for a score from the one-yard line.

The Cats drove to the Westgate 33 late in the game, but an interception with 1:53 remaining ended the final hope for the Bobcats.