Bobcats grab homecoming win

The Eunice High Bobcats scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to break open the game as they capped Homecoming Week with a 19-7 victory over the Rayne Wolves Friday night at Bobcat Stadium.
Coach Paul Trosclair’s Bobcats received the opening kickoff from the Wolves and controlled the football for over six minutes on a 67-yard, 16-play scoring drive.
Senior quarterback Alex Richard teamed with senior receiver Travis Godfrey to cap the drive with a six-yard touchdown pass. Senior kicker Wesley Hebert kicked the PAT to give the Cats a 7-0 lead with 5:36 left in the first quarter.
Key plays during the drive included a 24-yard pass from Richard to Godfrey for a first down at the Rayne 31 and a 15-yard run by Nick Powell which gave the Cats a first-and-goal at the 6-yard line.
Coach Curt Ware’s Wolves responded with a 59-yard scoring drive in 12 plays. Deontray Wilridge wrapped up the drive with a 12-yard touchdown run. Ben Alvarez kicked the PAT to tie the game at 7-7 with only six seconds remaining in the first quarter.
The Bobcats took possession of the ball at their own 28. Powell broke away for a 14-yard run and Richard connected with Terryl Poullard on passes covering 8, 6, and 8 yards to move into Rayne territory. But two costly penalties stalled the drive at the Rayne 44. Hebert punted into the end zone on fourth down.
The Wolves picked up one first down, but Shemar Guillory knocked down a Jaylon Reed pass and Larry Rideau tackled Wilridge in the backfield to force a punt.
Taking over at their own 40, Richard teamed with Georrein Dupre for a 29-yard play to the Rayne 33. The drive would stall and Hebert would pin the Wolves inside the 10-yard line with a punt.
The Wolves were forced to punt after three plays, and punter Donald Doucet managed only a 20-yard punt. The Cats overcame a couple of penalties to move down to the Rayne 9. With just seconds remaining in the half, Richard was intercepted by Trent Winbush to end the threat. The game remained tied at the half.
The Bobcat defensive unit continued their domination of the Wolves to start the third quarter, forcing a punt from the Rayne 25.
The Cats took possession at their own 42 and began a 10-play drive down to the Rayne 18-yard line. But Powell, who had a 15-yard run during the drive, fumbled at that point with the Wolves recovering.
The Bobcat defense stepped up again, allowing one first down before forcing a punt near the conclusion of the third quarter. The Cats took possession at their own 35 and netted two yards on two running plays.
That is when the Bobcat coaching staff decided to employ a bit of trickery. Richard dropped back to pass, but instead flipped the football back to Godfrey, who completed a pass to a streaking Wes Hebert in the middle of the field. Hebert outran his defender to complete a 63-yard touchdown, giving the Cats a 13-7 lead.
Hebert’s ensuing kickoff backed the Wolves inside their 20-yard line and the Bobcat defensive unit again forced a punt from deep in Rayne territory.
The Cats took possession at their on 41, and on first down, Richard pitched to Powell who turned the corner on the right side and outraced the remaining Rayne defenders for a 59-yard touchdown run. The two-point PAT pass failed, but the Cats held a 19-7 lead with 8:59 left to play.
The Bobcat defense would not allow a first down on two subsequent possessions by the Wolves and the Cats ran out the time to secure the victory.
“We got the running game going and our defense did a great job of shutting down their offense in the second half,” said Coach Trosclair.