EDITOR’S NOTE: Eunice News sports writer John Burson and sports editor Tom Dodge combined for this story.
NEW ORLEANS – It may be difficult to say defense wins championships after Eunice High’s 59-47 victory over Sterlington Friday in the Class 3-A title game.
But Bobcat head coach Paul Trosclair said the defense was the key to the win as the Bobcats (13-2) slowed down the Panthers (12-3) in the second half to give the offense a chance.
“I thought we’d have a problem stopping them, but I didn’t know we’d have to score so many points to win,” Troslcair said.
“We scored and we got some stops on defense when we needed them.
“There was a big green wave in the Dome,” Trosclair said of the EHS fans. “We definitely felt their support behind us –especially when we needed it.”
Sterlington’s C.J. Calvin returned the opening kickoff 91 yards for a score, and Eunice’s Jordan Ledet returned the favor with an 89-yard touchdown return on the ensuing kickoff.
“That was a big answer to what they did,” he said.
The Panthers’ first drive covered 11 plays capped by a nine-yard run by Dallas Reagor.
After both teams exchanged punts, Eunice went on a four play drive that covered 53 yards aided by strong runs from Jeoul Hill.
Simeon Ardoin scored on an seven yard run to tie the game 14-14 with 1:50 left in the first period. The Panthers then took 12 plays to move 76 yards as Reagor and Jordan Townsend manged impressive runs.
Reagor scored on a six-yard run but the PAT was blocked and Sterlington led 20-14 with 8:17 left in the half.
Eunice quickly responded with a seven-play, 66 yard drive sparked by runs by Simeon Ardoin amd Deon Ardoin.
Simeon Ardoin scoed on a 1-yard plunge but the PAT was blocked as EHS tied the game 20-20 with 5:36 remaining.
The Panthers moved the ball 64 yards in jusy seven plays, sealed by a 3-yard run by Townsend.
The PAT was good as Sterlington led 27-20 with 2:55 left.
Eunice again answered on a 59-yard touchdown by Simeon Ardoin, but the two-point conversion failed and the Bobcats trailed 27-26 with 1:56 remaining.
The Panthers took advantage with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Layton Rainbolt for a 34-26 lead with 36 seconds left.
The Bobcats nearly responded marching all the way to the Sterlington 6-yard-line before Townsend’s interception ended the half.
“We tried to remain calm as we thought everything went against us in the first half,” Trosclair said. “We played really good defense but the breaks went against us.
“So we knew we would have some good things happen for us in the second half and we made a few adjustments on defense.”
Eunice exploded for 27 consecutive second-half points to come storming back and the defense stood tall.
“We always try to come out fast, but we were bad in the first half,” EHSsenior linebacker Brodi Walker said.
“But we didn’t stop our energy. We knew we’re typically a better second half team, and I knew we weren’t going to let them score more than us in the second half.”
Running back Avrey Lee connected with Tyler Darbonne for touchdowns passes of 13 and 15 yards as the Bobcats took its first lead at 39-34 midway through the third quarter.
Lee fumbled the ball into the end zone where Deon Ardoin recovered it for a score.
Austin Phillips’ kick gave the Bobcats a 46-34 advantage with 4:10 left in the third period.
After both teams exchaged punts as the game moved into the final period, it was the Bobcat defense that again made a play.
Brodi Walker recovered a fumbled Panther snap deep in Sterlington territory.
Ardoin connected with Darbonne for a 17-yard score with 8:11 to give the Bobcats an insurmountable 53-34 lead.
Sterlington answered with a long drive, highlighted by seven runs from CJ Calvin.
Townsend scored on a seven-yard run and the PAT closed the gap to 53-41 with 4:48 left in the game.
Sterlington attempted an onsides kick, but it was recovered by Bobcat Isaiah Darby near midfield.
Eunice was forced to punt but Lee’s kick psuhed the Panthers back to the Sterlington 13.
A coverage sack and fourth down incompete pass combined with a personal foul moved the Panthers to the 2 and the Bobcats took over.
It took one play for Lee to score as the Bobcats extended its lead tp 59-41 with 3:55 left.
Sterlington fought to try a late comeback as the Panthers’ Layton Rainbolt hauled in a 55-yard pass from Hayes Crockett with 36 seconds left.
Tyler Darbonne recovered the onsides kick and the Bobcat celebration began.
“I am really proud of this team as they are a special group,” Trosclair said. “I am really going to miss the seniors - they will be hard to replace.”
Ardoin led the Bobcat rushing attack, compiling 151 yards on 10 carries and three scores. He also completed5-of-7 passes for 52 yards and a score.
Sterlington outgained Eunice 456 to 434 yards in the game.
Dallas Reagor had 154 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries for the Panthers.
Quarterback Hayes Crockett was 8-of-16 passing for 181 yards and two touchdowns.
Jordan Townsend added 48 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
This was the fourth trip to the Dome for the Bobcats.
Johnny Bourque led the Bobcats to a 16-13 victory over Jennings for the 1982 Class 3-A state championship – the only football title in program history.
Trosclair brought the Bobcats to state championship games in 1997 and 1998.
The Bobcats finished the 1997 season with a 14-1 record, the best in school history after a 21-6 loss to John Curtis.
In 1998, Eunice fell 20-7 to John Curtis.