Austin Phillips
The Bobcats needed to bounce back after a last-second loss against Rayne and Eunice High responded with a 49-28 win over Washington-Marion.
With the win, the Bobcats improve to 5-2 overall and 101 in district and will travel for a non-district game at No. 7 Tioga this week.
Washington Marion falls to 1-6 overall (0-1 in district) as the Indians entertain North Vermilion on Friday.
The Bobcats came out hot when Jeoul Hill rushed for a 25-yard touchdown for a 6-0 lead with 9:00 left to go in the first quarter.
The Bobcats defense was stellar all night as they quickly shut down the Indians’ potent passing game.
The Bobcats scored again on a reverse play to Hill for a 13-yard rushing touchdown with 4:00 left in the first quarter.
The Bobcats tried some trickery with a fake field goal which was not successful.
Late in the opening quarter, Simeon Ardoin heaved a deep pass to Dylan Guillory who came down with the ball for a 36-yard touchdown catch.
The Bobcat’s defense only allowed one first down the entire first quarter.
In the second quarter, the Washington Marion offense came to life with a 5-yard rushing touchdown despite 4 false-start penalties that drive.
The two-point conversion failed, but the Indians closed the gap to 20-6.
Washington Marion got the ball back with less than two minutes left to go in the half, and wide-receiver William Carswell put the Indians on his back with a jumping catch to give the Indians a first down inside the red zone.
Two plays later he received a 5-yard receiving touchdown with four seconds left to go in the first half.
The two-point conversion failed and Eunice took a 20-12 advantage into the locker room.
Late in the third quarter, Ardoin completed a pass to tight-end Hayden Darbonne for 36 yards that started a well put together drive by the Bobcats.
Deon Ardoin got into the end zone for a 6-yard rushing touchdown with 2:23 left to go in the third quarter.
Simeon Ardoin converted the two-point conversion with a 2-yard rush. The Bobcats entered the fourth quarter with a 28-12 lead.
Hill continued his touchdown fest with a 16-yard rushing touchdown on another reverse play tacking on another 6 points for the Bobcats with 8:57 left to go in the game. Rider nailed the PAT giving the Bobcats a 35-12 lead.
After Washington Marion received the ball, they marched down the field and Jathan Royal caught a screen pass a took it into the end zone for a 11-yard touchdown. After the successful two-point conversion, the score was set at 35-20.
Later in the fourth quarter, the Washington Marion offense was at their own 40 yard-line when Jahiem Mitchell intercepted the ball for a 10-yard return. After the Bobcats drove down the field, Landon Higginbottom took it in the end zone for a 10-yard rushing touchdown. Rider drilled the PAT giving the Bobcats the lead 42-20 with 3:20 left in the game.
The Bobcats recovered an onside kick at the Indian 30-yard line. Moments later, Deon Ardoin scored the final touchdown of the game for the Bobcats with a 5-yard rushing touchdown with 1:37 left.
With 48 seconds left to go, Washington Marion’s running back Jathan Royal ran it in the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown recording the last points of the game. Ardoin took a knee and the Bobcats improved to 5-2, defeating the Washington Marion Indians 49-28.
Deon Ardoin finished with 134 yards and 2 touchdowns. Hill tallied 78 yards and 3 touchdowns. Devin Richardson had 84 yards. Simeon Ardoin threw for 75 yards and 1 touchdown. Hayden Darbonne had a catch for 39 yards. Dylan Guillory had a catch for 36 yards and a touchdown.
The Bobcat defense played excellent tonight, getting 4 sacks, two by Richardson. Myles Woods also had half of a sack, and Jordan Oglesby with 1.5. The secondary for the Bobcats was great with Jaheim Mitchell recording an interception. Zach Suire, and Terance Tezeno also having deflections all night.