Wildcat Victory this Friday Earns Playoff Berth

By Josh Walker

    Just one week after the Wildcats' thrilling victory at Denham Springs, Central found a way to do it again at Scotlandville. Jonathan Thibodeaux kicked another field goal in overtime, and the Central defense stopped the Hornets on fourth down to close out a 28-25 win. The Wildcats took the opening drive forty yards down to the Scotlandville 17-yard line where Thibodeaux kicked a 34-yard field goal to put Central up 3-0. After a quick defensive stop, the Wildcats got the ball back and scored on a 32-yard Zack Evans touchdown run. Scotlandville would then score three consecutive touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 19-10 lead.

    They would add one more in the third quarter to take a 25-10 lead. Central started their next drive at their own 9-yard line, but would march the ball down the field in just under two minutes and score on a 24-yard Zack Evans touchdown run to cut the Hornets’ lead to 25-17. Central was forced into a must score situation when they got the ball with 6 minutes left. Evans opened up the drive with an 18-yard run. Two plays later, Brett Courville ran the ball 15 yards out to the Wildcat 44-yard line.

    On the next play, the ball was snapped over Courville’s head for a 26-yard loss. That brought up 3rd and 36, and when all hope seemed lost, Courville connected with Hunter Cazes for an 82-yard touchdown. Zack Evans ran in the two-point conversion to tie up the score at 25. After forcing a Scotlandville punt, the Wildcats looked to mount a final game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. In just over three minutes, Central moved the ball 59 yards to set up a Thibodeaux 36-yard field goal. As time ran out, the Hornets blocked the kick and ran it back for an apparent touchdown, but there was a flag back at the Scotlandville 30-yard line. It was a personal foul that brought the play back and eventually sent the game into overtime.

    In the overtime period, Thibodeaux kicked a 28-yard field goal to give the Wildcats a 28-25 lead. Scotlandville got the ball and was stopped three times before Central committed a pass interference penalty on the last play of the game to give the Hornets a new set of downs. After stopping the Hornets three times, the Wildcats knocked away the fourth down pass to win the game.

    Central had 312 yards of offense (173 rushing, 139 passing). Courville was 5 for 15 passing with 139 yards and one touchdown. Zack Evans led all runners with 124 yards and two touchdowns. Courville had 48 yards, and Gary Triplet had 27. Hunter Cazes had 94 receiving yards with one touchdown. Jake Myer had 28 yards, and Devon Gales had 13.

    Central’s defense played very well holding the high-powered Hornets offense to 322 yards and 25 points. Logan Metcalfe and Zach Hetrick each had an interception that stopped Scotlandville drives. Hetrick also led the Wildcats in tackles with 7.5. Logan Metcalfe and Paul Broussard each had 5.5, and Joey Jarreau and Sean Parker each had 5 tackles.

    After the game, Coach Dotson said, “You are a special group of young men. I told y’all four weeks ago that we were a great football team, and things were going to go our way. You guys never stopped fighting, and that’s something to live your life by.” This team has found a way to overcome every obstacle thrown at them and are clicking at the right time. If the Wildcats can stay on this pace, they could be a tough opponent for any playoff team.