Tom Dodge
The Bobcat homecoming crowd helped will the home team to a win as Eunice survived for a 27-20 double-overtime victory over the Rayne Wolves.
“They gave us a heck of a battle,” Eunice head coach Andre Vige said of the Wolves in his post-game interview. “I am happy we came out with the win
“We were fortunate to make one more play than they did.”
The Wolves had the ball to open the first overtime period and the EHS defense forced a field goal attempt.
Deuce Comeaux’s kick failed and the Bobcats had a chance to win the game on its possession.
But a fumbled snap on fourth-and-goal at the Rayne 1 sent the game to a second overtime.
On the first play for the Bobcat offense, Zach Suire scored from 10-yards out.
Braden Rider’s kick was good and the Bobcats led 27-20.
The Eunice defense stood firm to stop the Wolves including a fourth-down incomplete pass to seal the Bobcats win.
“Our defense really stepped it up in that second overtime session to help seal the victory,” Vige said.
Eunice threatened on its first drive of the game, sparked by strong runs by Deon Ardoin and Jeoul Hill but on fourth down, the Bobcats were stopped short at the Wolves 8.
Aided by several Rayne penalties, the Eunice defense held and forced a Wolves punt as the Bobcats took over near midfield.
Two plays later, Deon Ardoin broke loose for a 53-yard touchdown.
The extra point kick failed, but the Bobcats led 6-0 with 5:30 left in the first quarter.
Eunice forced a Rayne punt, but the kick pinned the Bobcats back to their own 9 yard line with 1:31 left in the first period.
Eunice could not move the ball and the Bobcats were forced to punt again.
After Darian Chevalier gained 38 yards, the Eunice defense forced a turnover and stopped the Wolves at the Bobcat 39 with 9:31 left in the half.
The EHS offense was forced to punt, but the Bobcat defense also stood tall to stop the Wolves inches short on fourth down at the 39.
On the first play of the drive, Deon Ardoin broke loose for a 61-yard touchdown.
The two-point conversion run failed, but the Bobcats led 12-0 with 5:50 left in the half.
After Rayne quarterback Colin LaCombe found Reid Dupont open for a 22-yard play, Eunice’s Zach Suire snared an interception to give the ball back to the Bobcats.
Eunice was forced to punt, but the Bobcats recovered a muffed kick to get the ball back at the Rayne 32 with 1:48 left in the second period.
Landen Higginbotham gained 15 yards and Hill added a 9-yard run by Hill.
But after two incomplete passes, Simeon Ardoin was intercepted in the end zone by Durell Weathersby with two seconds left in the half.
“ We had a chance to go up three touchdowns to go into the half,” Vige said. “If we had scored there, I think Rayne would have been waving their white flag (of surrender).”
Rayne was forced to punt on its first possession of the second half, but the Bobcats also had to kick with 8:02 left in the third period.
It took the Wolves 10 plays to move 67 yards, capped by 10-yard run by Bleyton Francis.
Deuce Comeaux’s kick closed the gap to 12-7 with 3:55 remaining in the third frame.
After forcing the Bobcats to punt, Rayne moved 40 yards in six plays as Lacombe scored on a 1-yard run.
The two-point conversion pass failed, but the Wolves led 13-12 with 11:36 left in the fourth quarter.
Ty’shun Joseph returned the kickoff 34 yards to set up the Bobcats’ next drive.
On fourth-down and 2 at the EHS 45, Deon Ardoin exploded for a 55-yard touchdown run.
Ardoin ran in the two-point conversion to push the Bobcats ahead, 20-13 with 9:13 left in regulation.
After both teams exchanged punts, the Wolves took over at the EHS 49 with 2:22 on the fourth quarter clock.
Lacombe connected with Lexx Guidry for a 43-yard play to move the Wolves to the Bobcat 6.
Two plays later, Francis scored on a five-yard run and Comeaux’s kick tied the game at 20-20 with 1:25 left.
Joseph had another strong 26-yard kick return and Deon Ardoin exploded for a 60-yard run to push the Bobcats to the Rayne 8.
On fourth down at the Rayne 3, Rider’s field goal attempt was blocked but a running into the kicker penalty kept the drive alive.
But with nine seconds left, Eunice fumbled the snap and the game then moved to overtime.
Ardoin finished with nearly 300 yards on 23 carries and his performance helped the Bobcat offense grab the win.
“Deon left everything out on the field tonight,” Vige said. “He put the whole team put the team on his back and said let’s go guys.”
Eunice (3-1) travels to Welsh Friday for a non-district contest.