Central Rolls Over Live Oak For 4th Straight District Title

By Josh Walker

           After a 2-4 record to open the season, many counted Central out of the race, but the Wildcats were able to win their last four to take the district title, including a 41-15 win over the Live Oak Eagles Friday night. Two minutes into the game, Brett Courville completed a 52-yard touchdown pass to Jake Myer to take a 7-0 lead. Courville threw another touchdown pass on the next drive on a 28-yard pass to Gary Triplett. In the second quarter, Zack Evans ran the ball in from one yard out to give Central a 20-0 lead. The Wildcats would score once more in the first half on a 78-yard punt return by Gary Triplet to take a 27-0 lead into the half. Midway through the third quarter, Courville connected with Triplet again for a three-yard touchdown. Live Oak would get on the board late in the third quarter on a 16-yard touchdown pass from former Wildcat receiver Cole Leblanc. The Wildcats would score once more on a Courville 25-yard run to put the Wildcats up 41-7. Leblanc would throw one more touchdown pass with two minutes left to give the final score of 41-15.

            The Wildcats racked up 346 total yards (163 passing, 183 rushing). Central’s leading runner was Zack Evans with 127 yards on 17 carries and one touchdown. Courville had a perfect game passing, completing 10 passing in ten attempts for 163 yards and three touchdowns. He also had 49 rushing yards on 8 carries with the one touchdown run. Jake Myer led the Wildcats in receiving yards with 52 yards on a touchdown catch. Gary Triplet had 51 yards and two touchdowns, and Hunter Cazes had 32 yards.

            Central’s defense played very well, holding the Eagles to 251 yards. Thomas Eddlemon led the Wildcats in tackles with 6 and 1/2. Zach Hetrick, Logan Metcalfe, and Paul Broussard each had 5 and 1/2, and Sean Parker had five tackles. Donald Lewis also came up with a big interception late in the second quarter to help end the Eagles’ threat.

            After the game, Coach Dotson said, “ That’s #4 right there. We challenged you guys when we were 2-4 and had been written off, and you stepped up. The approach you took to everything is unmatched. Your legacy has been written.” Coach also commented on the upcoming playoff game, saying, “We’re going to be playing someone in the top five or six range, but we’re men on a mission who are going to go on a playoff run. This group is capable of going far in the playoffs.” The Wildcats do have their work cut out for them, but the resiliency that this team showed in the last four games could be what it takes to help the Wildcats win.