Jamboree Teams Navigate Through Mud, Rain
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
A pre-kickoff downpour created a Donald Gardner Stadium canvas of mud Friday night as the annual 2024 St. Landry Parish Football Jamboree featured six teams struggling to maintain offensive consistency.
Despite the weather-related difficulties Opelousas High, Port Barre and Beau Chene managed to obtain jamboree wins as the curtain lifted on a season scheduled to last until December.
Opelousas High 8, Northwest 0
The veteran Opelousas High defense dominated the final contest, as the Tigers allowed Northwest minus six rushing yards and four more passing.
By the time this game began, the rain had vanished, but a slippery field smothered in mud prevented either team from effectively featuring skill players.
Opelousas scored the only touchdown after a high snap eluded Northwest punter Gavon Fontenot.
The Tigers reached the end zone from the 16-yard line two plays later when quarterback Zack Malveaux faked a dive play and tucked the ball away with 1:40 left in the first half. Malveaux used a similar play to provide the conversion.
Each team shared an equal number of snaps in the second half.
Northwest entered the Opelousas side of the field at the 46 following a four-yard pass from quarterback Jayden Chavis to Ke’Von Johnson, but Chevis was sacked for 10 yards on the next play, canceling the threat.
Malveaux completed two passes to wide receiver Corey Fontenot for 58 yards.
Port Barre 14, North Central 0
The North Central offense was plagued with quarterback sacks, fumbles, high center snaps and penalties, while Port Barre scored both touchdowns in the first half.
Port Barre used a short punt to launch a 55-yard scoring drive that took five plays. Quarterback Tyler Metrejean completed a 20-yard pass to Colin Deshotel and Metrejean completed the possession with a 25-yard scoring run with 1:33 left in the half.
The Red Devils recovered a North Central fumble at the Hurricanes’ 14 and with 2:24 remaining in the game, Metrejean completed a first down scoring pass to tight end Bailey Rideaux.
Placekicker Ashton Ellis kicked the second of two extra points for the Devils.
Port Barre rushed for 78 yards and Metrejean completed two passes for 34 yards, but North Central defensive back Layton Walker intercepted one throw.
North Central quarterback Joshua Powell had difficulty running an offense that sputtered due to center snap inefficiencies. The Hurricanes rushed for minus 14 yards.
Powell however completed two passes for 24 yards to wide receiver Steven Joseph.
Beau Chene 14, Eunice 0
The two teams played nearly the entire game amid a rain squall.
Beau Chene rushed 22 times for 117 yards and scored on the first play when running back Christian Wheeler ran for a muddy 65.
Eunice High, using a mixture of varsity and junior varsity players, was afflicted with fumbling snaps on nearly every offensive series.
Beau Chene recovered eight of the 10 Eunice fumbles.
The Gators used one of those fumble recoveries for their final scoring drive.
Starting from the Eunice 12-yard line with 1:31 remaining in the first half, the Gators scored on a 1-yard run by quarterback Cayson Woods.
Marcelo Sanchez kicked the second of two extra points.
