Tom Dodge
Over the years, the Eunice – Jennings rivalry has had its share of close games in the annual dog and cat fight.
This year was no different as the No. 9 Bobcats grabbed a 19-7 win over the Bulldogs.
“It is a real big win because we had a lot go against us all night,” Eunice head coach Paul Trosclair said as his celebrated the victory behind him. “I think we had three times more penalties than they had, field position was bad but we still found a way.
“We had to have a drive – and that one to end the game was huge,” the coach said. “Suire’s interception was a big momentum change after Jennings had just made a goal line stand.”
Eunice took the opening kickoff and went 60 yards on eight plays, aided by a third-down late hit on the Bulldogs.
Simeon Ardoin connected with Trelyn Cooper for an 11-yard play and Deon Ardoin and Devin Richardson followed with strong runs to push the Bobcats near the goal line.
Deon Ardoin capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown run. The PAT failed but the Bobcats led 6-0 with 9:22 left in the first period.
Jennings went for it on fourth down on their first drive, but Jacoby Collins sacked Bulldog quarterback Lawrence Willridge for a seven-yard loss.
Both teams exchanged punts as the game moved to the second period.
It was the Bobcats’ turn to attempt a fourth down conversion and Simeon Ardoin gained two yards to keep the drive alive.
Eunice moved deep into Jennings territory on runs by Jeoul Hill, the Ardoin brothers and Derick Vigers.
But on fourth and goal, Simeon Ardoin was stopped behind the line and the Bulldogs took over at their own 10 with 4:47 left in the half.
After two runs by Jalen Lewis, Willdridge’s pass was intercepted by Zach Suire and returned 25 yards to the end zone.
The PAT failed, but the Bobcats led 12-0 with 3:23 left in the second period.
A personal foul against Eunice helped the Bulldogs begin their next possession at midfield.
Jennings moved deep into Bobcat territory but with time running out a high snap sailed over Willridge’s head to end the half.
The Bulldogs then took the second half kickoff and went 63 yards, taking time off the clock.
Aided by a pass interfernce call on fourth down, the Bulldogs moved inside the EHS 20.
A fourth-down false start penalty allowed the Bulldogs to regroup and Willridge found Ivory Williams open for a 15-yard touchdown strike.
The PAT was good as Jennings closed the gap to 12-7 with 5:48 left in the third frame.
Eunice converted on fourth down to keep its next drive alive, but later was forced to punt.
The Bobcats were flagged for kick catch interference and Jennings quickly moved into EHS territory as the game moved to the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs were halted at the EHS 21 when Vigers recovered a Jennings fumble.
Eunice could not advance and was forced to punt, but the Bobcat defense stood tall and forced the Bulldogs to also kick with 4:52 left in the game.
Starting at their own 13 yard line, the Bobcat offense then mounted the most important drive of the contest.
Deon Ardoin’s runs helped the Eunice offense take time off the clock and then Richardson exploded down the sideline for a 63-yard touchdown run.
The PAT was good as the Bobcats led 19-7 with 1:11 remaining in the game.
Two incomplete passes and a quarterback sack clinched the win for the Bobcats.
The previous four years, the two teams tied two games a piece with Eunice grabbing a 33-23 win early in last season’s championship run.
Eunice (2-0) travels to Ville Platte Friday.
Ville Platte (1-1) lost to Grand Lake, 22-7.