By Tom Dodge
Sports Editor
NEW ORLEANS – The clock was nearing midnight but the loud crowd was just getting started as a sea of green and white screamed “EHS, EHS, EHS” as the Bobcats captured the Class 3-A state title Friday night at the Mercedes Benz Superdome.
The Bobcat nation’s chants echoed off the ceiling as Eunice High celebrated a 59-47 win over Sterlington for the first state title since 1982.
“I still don’t believe it happened,” Eunice coach Paul Trosclair said. “I’m still trying to let it sink in.
“I feel like we did it for the City of Eunice.”
After an hour-and-a-half delay because of an other high scoring championship game before them, Sterlington and Eunice wasted no time with the offensive fireworks high scoring championship game before them, Sterlington and Eunice wasted no time with the offensive fireworks.
On the game’s very first play when Sterlington’s DJ Calvin returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a touchdown.
On the very next play, Eunice’s Jordan Ledet returned the favor by returning the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown of his own.
“I don’t think I have ever seen that happen in a game but Ledet’s run was a great big answer to what they did,” Trosclair said.
Trailing 34-26 coming out of the halftime locker-room, the Bobcats (13-2) put three touchdowns on the board in the fourth quarter to grab a 46-34 lead.
“We tried to remain calm because we felt everything went against us in the first half,” Trosclair said. “We knew we could make some things happen in the second half and they did.”
Avery Lee and Tyler Darbonne finished with three receptions for 45 yards and three touchdowns.
“That play has produced six touchdowns this season,” Trosclair said. “Darbonne made great catches and Avery is just a man of multiple talents on the football field.”
“It’s unreal,” Darbonne said. “All the credit goes to our offensive line
“They put up great blocks to give our quarterback and Avery time to throw me the ball.”
Lee was named the game’s MVP as he finished with 87 yards rushing with a score and two touchdowns passing.
“I’d do anything to win especially for this family,” Lee said. “It doesn’t matter if I’m getting tired. I’ll do anything to help us win.”
Trosclair said he was thrilled to give a win back to the community.
“We talked before the game and I told the player let’s win this one for the city of Eunice as they have given so much love and support over the years.”
Trosclair said he and the team could feel the wave of green supporting them in the Dome.
Trosclair led the Bobcats to the 1997 and 1998 title games, but Eunice fell to John Curtis both times.
“We had some playoff losses over the years,” Trosclair said. “I knew my career was winding down. We started this season with six or seven sophomores playing. There’s no way we were supposed to do what we did.
“They grew up really fast and the moment never really overwhelmed them.”
Trosclair said the 24-22 district loss to Church Point was the turning point of the season.
“I really felt Church Point had a chance to make a run and we had a chance to win that game – so after that I thought we had a chance to win a couple of playoff games which we haven’t done in a long time.
“We hadn’t been past the second round in a long time and that was something we really wanted to do,” the coach said.
Eunice went on a run all the way to the Class 3-A championship, adding a trophy next to the 1982 team who beat Jennings 16-13.
“There was Bobcat magic this year, no doubt about it,”Trosclair added.