Opelousas Advances To Regional
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
(Bobby Ardoin photo)
The Opelousas High football program cleared the first playoff obstacle on Friday night, but now things are becoming interesting.
After opening the playoffs with a 51-22 victory over Brusly High at Donald Gardner Stadium, the path of advancement for the sixth-seeded Tigers includes either higher-seeded or other playoff-tested programs.
Opelousas (9-2) is scheduled to host No.11 Sterlington, in what could become a high-scoring game next Friday at Donald Gardner Stadium.
If the Tigers defeat Sterlington, they face either undefeated Eunice High, which still has to contend with 14th-seeded Cecilia this Friday night.
Cecilia shared a district title this season with Opelousas and Carencro.
An Opelousas quarterfinal game with Eunice would be played on the road, while meeting Cecilia would provide the Tigers with another potential matchup at Donald Gardner Stadium.
The Brusly Statistics
Opelousas built a 42-14 lead before allowing Brusly to score a late-game touchdown.
The Tigers compiled 330 offensive yards using the combination of quarterback Collin Rideau and running back Joseph Clues.
Brusly however threw for 325 yards, although all the Brusly touchdowns came on short-yardage running plays.
Rideau threw for 155 yards and four touchdowns after completing 11-of-17 passes.
The running game yardage was supplied by Clues, who gained 142 on 27 carries. Rideau added 30 yards on 10 rushing attempts.
Wide receiver Marley Richard was a favorite Rideau target. Richard caught seven passes for117 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively Brandon Gradnigo had the most explosive play of the game for Opelousas. Gradnigo scored a touchdown with 57 seconds remaining on a 64 interception return.
Richard had the other Opelousas interception in addition to making four tackles.
Wide receiver defensive back Jaylon Owens also had a key night offensively and defensively.
Owens caught four passes for 38 yards, while defensively Owens had four tackles, and a pair of assists.
Javien Hill had five tackles.
Game Story
A Rideau-to-Owens pass provided the only first quarter score (6:09).
Richard and Rideau put the Tigers in front (14-0) with another scoring completion after a Daniel DeLeon point after kick.
Rideau and Richard put Opelousas in front 26-6 at halftime following a 1-yard Rideau run and a 23-yard reception by Richard.
The Tigers extended the lead (32-6) on a Jaylon Owens run.
