Tom Dodge
No. 2 Karr proved to be worthy of its ranking as the Cougars rolled to a 40-7 win over No. 10 Eunice in the Class 3-A quarterfinals.
“Our guys were not intimidated,” Eunice head coach Andre Vige said. “We were ready for the match-up – but a play here and a play there really changed the outcome.
“I thought our hearts were there and these guys left it all out there on the field,” the coach said. “I am proud of all the guys, especially the seniors.
“I am proud of how our guys fought.”
Karr took the opening kickoff and went 65 yards to score the game’s first points.
The Cougars converted on fourth-and-1 deep in Bobcat territory to keep the drive alive.
On third-and-15, A.J. Samuel connected with Aaron Anderson for a 19-yard touchdown.
The PAT failed, but the Cougars led 6-0 with 8:08 remaining in the period.
The Eunice offense responded as the Bobcats mounted an impressive 72-yard scoring drive on their first possession of the half.
After several strong runs by the Bobcats, Karr had offsides flag and later a roughing the quarterback penalty to keep the EHS drive into the Cougar territory.
Several runs by Jeoul Hill and Deon Ardoin pushed the Bobcats to the Karr 3.
On the next play, Deon Ardoin scored and Braden Rider’s PAT gave Eunice a 7-6 lead with 1:49 left in the quarter.
“It was a good drive for us,” Vige said. “It was part of our gameplan to run time off the clock.”
The Bobcat advantage was short lived as Destyn Pazon raced 84 yards to score on the ensuing kickoff.
Samuel added the two point conversion run as the Cougars grabbed a 14-7 heading into the second quarter.
Eunice moved the ball to near midfield after a face mask penalty on its next drive, but the Bobcats were forced to punt.
Karr overcame two holding penalties and a false start as the Cougars moved into Bobcat territory.
But the Eunice defense made a crucial fourth-down stop to halt the Karr drive at the Bobcat 38 midway through the second period.
“We thought still have a chance to mount another drive as we were executing our game plan,” the coach said.
“I really thought we were going to score right before the half ended.”
After several strong runs by Deon Ardoin, Simeon Ardoin and Hill, a Bobcat fumble was recovered by Karr’s Destin Refuge and returned 64 yards for a touchdown.
The Cougars missed the PAT, but Karr led 20-7 with 2:38 remaining in the second period.
The Bobcats were forced to punt on their next possession and a high snap over the punter’s head gave Karr the ball at the EHS 3.
Kevin Marigny scored on the next play. The PAT failed, but Karr led 26-7 with 1:22 left in the half.
Deon Ardoin had 40 yards on 13 carries in the first half to break the EHS career rushing record.
Tyler Colllins (2005-2008) set the record with 3,398 yards.
“I congratulate Deon for breaking the school’s all-time rushing record,” Vige said. “I am very proud of his accomplishments.”
After allowing four scores in the first half, the Bobcats stood tall and held the Cougars to 14 points in the second half.
Eunice was forced to punt on its first possession of the second half.
Two plays later, Samuel connected with Pazon for a 82-yard touchdown strike.
Samuel ran in the two-point conversion to give Karr a 34-7 lead with 9:31 left in the period.
Eunice responded with an impressive drive that used time off the clock as the Bobcats moved from their own 10 to deep into Karr territory.
The Bobcats were stopped on fourth down, but the Eunice defense stood tall and forced a Karr punt late in the third quarter.
Eunice converted on fourth down when Simeon Ardoin connected with Zach Suire to get close to midfield.
The Bobcats advanced to the Karr 37 before being stopped on fourth down.
Hayden Darbonne and Jacoby Collins recorded a sack on Samuel to stop Karr on their next drive.
The Bobcats were forced to punt on their next drive and two plays later, Karr’s Joshua Amacker scored on a 22-yard run.
The PAT failed, but the Cougars led 40-7 with 5:00 left in the game.
The Bobcats’ final drive of the season ended with an interception and Karr ran out the final 2:45 off the clock.
Eunice finished the season 6-3 overall and District 4-4A champions.
Karr (7-1) will face rival No. 6 Warren Easton (9-2) in the semifinals as the Eagles cruised to a 62-27 upset win over No. 3 Tioga.