With a quick score in the opening minutes of Thursday’s first game of the 2018 Acadia-Vermilion Jamboree, the Rayne High Wolves took the lead and held on for a slim 13-12 jamboree win over Kaplan.
“Like any jamboree, this is the chance to see what we have, evaluate who needs to do what and make adjustments,” state Rayne High Head Coach Curt Ware following Thursday’s Jamboree win over the Kaplan Pirates. “And from the looks of things, we do have adjustments and work to do.”
The first half of the two-half game saw Rayne score their lone touchdown early on in the first few minutes of the contest, seeing John Daigle tight walk the sideline for a, 80-yard touchdown run. Morgan Manuel split the uprights for the extra point for a quick 7-0 lead.
Rayne held onto that lead until the halftime break, a time when Kaplan re-grouped for second half action.
The Pirates opened the second half of play with a 70-yard drive, ending with a five-yard touchdown run by Drake Abshire. A two-point conversion run by Abshire failed and Rayne held a 7-6 lead.
The very next Rayne drive saw Zach Fontenot hit a seam provided by his offensive line for a 75-yard sprint into the endzone. Manuel’s extra point attempt failed and the Wolves held a 13-6 lead.
During the finals minutes of the ballgame, Kaplan rolled down the field setting up a touchdown run by Braylon Romero. The Pirates attempted another two-point conversion which failed with only seconds remaining, giving Rayne the 13-12 win.
“Our guys ran the ball well but we should have put more points on the scoreboard,” stated Ware of the win. “In addition to some other things, but when you’re inside the five yard line twice and not score, that’s something that should not happen.”
The Wolves collected 250 total offensive yards during the jamboree on 29 plays.
Quarterback newcomer Collin LaCombe was 3-for-6 on the night for the Wolves with 60 yards.
LaCombe’s targets were Zach Fontenot (2-36) and Darian Richard (1-24).
Of Rayne’s 190 rushing yards, John Daigle led the Wolves with 96 yards on eight carries, followed by Zach Fontenot with 92 yards on five tries.
Defensively, Kaplan was able to gain 269 yards on the Wolves during the contest, all on the ground led by Drake Alleman (10-118), Braylon Romero (14-83) and Logan Roy (7-53).
Leading Rayne tackles were Dylan Istre (5.5 tkl, 4 solo, 3 ast), Ron Roberts (4.5, 3, 3) and Jamarcus Monroe (4, 3, 2).
John Daigle, Tyler Fontenot, Carlos Figaro and Marlon Forman each donated two tackles, two solos and three assists.
Darion Senegal and Darian Richard each recorded a 23-yard kickoff return, setting up both touchdowns during the ballgame for the Wolves.
“At this point of the season as we prepare for next week, you have to play good teams like this,” as he spoke of Kaplan, a state contender of last year’s playoffs.
“Then you look at Welsh, the state champs last year. You have to play teams like that to make a difference. We just have to concentrate on what we saw here tonight and make the adjustments needed to keep winning ballgames.”
The Wolves will travel to Welsh on Friday for their opening game of the 2018 season. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Greyhound Stadium.