What many said would never happen, did so Thursday night as the Rayne High Wolves defeated the Carencro High Bears, 31-21.
The win brings the Wolves to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in district play for the 2017 season thus far.
“I’m so happy for our guys,” stated Rayne High Head Coach Curt Ware following Thursday’s win. “When you have people not believing in us and saying we would not win, it feels good right now looking at that scoreboard.”
Rayne’s solid defense held the Bears to a negative three rushing yards on the night, forcing Carencro to hit the air for their entire offensive output totaling 304 yards.
“Our defense stood strong again tonight,” Ware continued. “We have a group of guys who never give up, something you like to see as a coach.”
The Rayne High offense exploded for 443 total offensive yards, all of which on the ground behind running backs Trent Winbush and Daren Harmon.
Winbush added two touchdowns to his already successful season on 20 carries and 253 yards. Harmon also touched the end zone twice during the win, his on 21 carries for 158 yards. Teammate Johnny Deculit had seven carries for 43 yards.
“Offensively, we keep chipping away and its working,” Ware stated of his offensive squad. “We have great running backs and they’re doing they job, plus it’s working behind a solid line. Looks like everyone’s pulling and working together as a team. Gotta love that.”
Despite a first-drive score by Carencro early on in the ballgame, the Wolves answered in a big way.
Winbush and Harmon teamed up for an 80-yard scoring drive capped off with a nine-yard touchdown run by Harmon. Morgan Manuel booted his first of four extra points for a 7-all contest as the second quarter began.
On a three and out by Rayne’s defense, the Wolves attained possession on their own 23-yard line for their second scoring drive. Harmon collected the majority of the yards during the drive, setting up a 27-yard touchdown by Winbush. Manuel split the uprights once again for a 14-7 Rayne lead.
As the first half clicked down Carencro was able to get within striking distance inside the 10-yard line. But, the Rayne High defense held firm and claimed possession on their own two-yard line with two minutes remaining. The Wolves were able to inch near midfield on the drive, but the first half came to a close with a 14-7 Rayne lead.
Mid-way through the third quarter Rayne rushed down the field for an 85-yard scoring drive. Deculit and Winbush combined for yardage, setting up another Harmon touchdown run. Manuel’s extra point saw the Wolves advance their lead, 21-7.
But, Carencro answered on their very next drive with a 60-yard scoring drive and extra point for a tightened 21-14 score.
A key kickoff return by Rayne’s Jamarcus Monroe set up a seldom fieldgoal by Manuel from 35 yards out as the fourth quarter rolled in, advancing the Wolves to a 24-14 lead with plenty of time remaining for both teams.
Carencro used that remaining time as Chance Prejean found Deion Senegal for a 48-yard touchdown pass and Jaron Royer’s extra point for a 24-21 score with 10 minutes remaining in the ballgame.
Rayne’e next drive saw a coupe of incomplete passes and offensive penalties halt any chance of getting the Wolves field, forcing a punt by Morgan, setting up the Bears on their own 20-yard line at the five-minute mark -- their final chance to make a win move.
Carencro was able to advance to the Rayne 22-yard line despite quarterback sacks by Jamien Evans and Ron Roberts. But, the Rayne defense held tough and the Wolves took possession at their own 23-yard line with only 1:54 remaining in the ballgame.
The final drive began with runs by Winbush and Harmon, but halted with a Carencro timeout at the 1:12 mark.
Rayne was hit with an offensive penalty right out the timeout, but Rayne’s offensive line opened a seam for Winbush, who jetted in for a 73-yard touchdown. Manuel’s extra point closed out the Rayne win at 31-21.
“We were planning to run out the clock, but the play clock and game clock were not working in our favor and we didn’t want a fourth down situation,” commented Ware on the game-ending touchdown. “Trent (Winbush) saw the opening and got after it. Can’t blame him for that.”
Defensively, Rayne’s Tony Roberts and Tyreece Beverly led tackles with 6.5 each. Roberts recorded a tackle for a loss, while Beverly had three.
Also helping the Wolves on defense were Johnny Deculit and Jamien Evans each with 5.5 tackles. Evans had a tackle for a loss.
Ron Roberts, John Daigle, Zach Fontenot, Antonio Gabriel and Canaan Olivier each recorded four tackles for the Wolves. Roberts and Gabriel wrapped up two tackles for losses, while Daigle recorded one.
Wolves Jamarcus Monroe, Morgan Manuel and Winbuch each tallies two tackles, with Winbush also finishing the night with a tackle for a loss.