LEESVILLE
The Wampus Cats found themselves down 14-0 Friday night just ten minutes into the season opener at Jennings due to a pair of miscues, including a fumbled pass competition and a bad punt snap.
Leesville overcame those early problems to rip off 32 unanswered points for a 32-14 season-opening win over the Bulldogs. Senior wide receiver Elijah Farley got the offense on track with a 54-yard TD run out of a “Wildcat” formation. Junior Xavier Ford ran 64 yards for the second Cats’ score.
Leesville took a 19-14 halftime lead when senior QB Corbitt Robbins launched a 43-yard strike to wide receiver Boston Manci, who made a circus catch for the score.
The Cats’ two second half scores came on a busted play when Farley went over 60 yards for his second score. Ford punched in a short one late to seal the deal. Ford finished with 285 yards rushing and two scores. The Leesville offense rang up 476 yards in total offense.
The Leesville defense gave up yards but no points in the second half. Evan Combs was a nightmare for the Jennings offense. He lined up all over the field, making numerous tackles. He also had two interceptions, both in the Leesville end zone.
Leesville is ranked #10 in this week’s Class 4-A Louisiana Sports Writers Association poll.
Leesville has their home opener Friday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. against the Jena Giants(1-0). The game will be broadcast live on KJAE/93.5 and KVVP/105.7.
ROSEPINE
Rosepine found just enough offense to beat East Beauregard in their season opener, but it was a defensive play that provided the momentum for the 20-16 Eagle win.
The Trojans took the opening kickoff and marched down the field for a TD and two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead. The Eagles responded with a nine-yard pass from QB Roland Embry to Lane Willis. They missed the two-point try and trailed 8-6 at halftime.
East Beauregard scored on a nine-yard run and two-point conversion late in the third quarter for a 16-6 edge. The Eagles came back on the arm of Embry who hit Barret Coody for a 14-yard touchdown. Rosepine missed the two-point try and trailed 16-12. Embry finished the night completing eight of 14 passes for two TD’s. Austin Thompson had three catches for 48 yards.
A late fourth quarter fumble recovery by Greyson Gardner was crucial to the Eagles’ win. Landon Lawrence had 10 tackles on defense. The Eagle defense had three tackles behind the line.
Rosepine’s last score came on a two-yard Lane Willis TD and subsequent two point run for the final margin of 20-16.
The Eagles host South Beauregard (0-1) Friday, September 8 at 7 p.m. in McKee/McCain Stadium.
Late
PICKERING
The tenure of new Pickering Coach John Dougherty got off to a familiar start for Red Devil fans with a season opening 46-6 loss to the Elton Indians. The road loss makes 22 in a row for the once powerful Red Devils.
RB Xavier Mitchell had 23 yards rushing for the game and tallied the lone Pickering TD with a nine-yard rush late in the fourth quarter. The Red Devil offense had four running backs combined for nearly 100 total yards.
Pickering plays East Beauregard (0-1) Friday Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. in their home opener at O’Banion Stadium.
