Wildcat Football Season Ends in First Round of Playoffs

By Beth Fussell;  Stats by Nathan Corley;  Photos by Expressions Photography

    The Central High Wildcats had a season that no one saw coming.  After an amazing run last year all the way to the state semifinals, CHS lost a huge chunk of their playmaking starters at graduation.  Football fans were looking forward to a respectable rebuilding year full of heart, but perhaps lacking the big wins and dominating performances of last season.  To everyone’s surprise and excitement, the Wildcats started the season with solid playing and only got better after that. 

    Central took 7 wins and 3 losses in the regular season, with a district record of 7-1.  They tore up rival Catholic, and they won a heart-stopping game against Zachary with huge plays and smart decisions in overtime.  Even the losses for the ‘Cats came with close scores and heads up play, with only a few key plays keeping them from victory eaach time. 

    The Wildcats ended the regular season with a share of the district title.  Zachary was crowned the co-district champs, their only loss being to Central.  CHS headed to the state playoffs last Friday night to face New Iberia in the first round.

    Fans traveled to New Iberia last Friday, to the same stadium where Central’s state title hopes ended last year.     

    The game did not start off well for Central.  After two turnovers on kickoffs, the Yellowjackets were up 14-0 before the Wildcats ever got to start an offensive play.  Central regained some footing near the end of the first quarter when Brett Courville ran the ball into the endzone for a touchdown.  The Wildcats went for 2, and Austin Watts delivered with a successful rush.

    In the second quarter, both teams’ defenses held strong, and no one scored until the very end of the quarter, when New Iberia rushed in for a touchdown.  Central responded less than a minute later with a successful field goal by Matthew Thibodeaux, bringing the score to 21-11 at halftime.

    Central opened the second half with an on-side kick by Matthew Thibodeaux that was recovered by the Wildcats.  However, the offense could not get down the field to score on the very well-rounded New Iberia team.  The teams traded field goals in the third quarter, and Central headed into the final 12 minutes trailing 24-14.

    The Wildcats played hard and never gave up during the game, even as time dwindled and the Yellowjackets scored another touchdown.  The final score was New Iberia 31, Central 14. 

    In the game, Zach Evans was the leading rusher with 73 yards on 16 attempts.  James Rickardson followed with 54 yards on 11 carries.  In the run-oriented game for Central, only two passes were thrown, one each from Brett Courville and Austin Watts.  Trevor Sansone and Cortlan Hutchinson were the recipients of the passes at 37 yards and 4 yards, respectively.  Matthew Thibodeaux kicked 2 field goals for 6 of Central’s 14 points.  On defense, James Richardson, Austin Watts, Cooper Moore, Trevor Sansone, and Joey Jarreau led in tackles with at least 3 each.

    On the season, Central rushed for 2101 yards total vs. opponents’ combined 904 yards.  Central scored 27 touchdowns over their opponents’ 12, and they averaged 191 yards per game on the ground.  Central passed for 371 yards and 3 touchdowns this year.  Central’s defense was monstrous, chalking up 235 tackles, 91 of which were for a loss, and 24 sacks (compared to opponents’ combined 5 sacks).

    Our city is very proud of the Wildcats and how far they came over the course of the season, noticeably improving from game to game.  Congratulations Wildcats on another year in the playoffs and a “threepeat” for the district championship!