OCS Healthier For Playoffs

BOBBY ARDOIN

Editor/Consulting Writer

The Opelousas Catholic football players are recovering from injuries and the importance of that situation was evident Friday night.

The Vikings compiled 462 total offensive yards and outscored Catholic High-Pointe Coupee in a 56-32 district victory that may have provided some momentum for the Division IV non-select playoffs that begin this week.

Junior quarterback Kross Gillen, returning from a mid-season injury, threw for 268 yards and five touchdowns, while wide receiver Roderick Tezeno caught six of the passes for 146 yards and four TD’s.

The Tezeno highlight reel included a 65-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

Running back Rowen Bergeron gained 151 on 12 carries and caught seven passes for 43 yards as the Vikings finished the 2024 regular season 7-3.

OCS lost two district games and finished fourth in a competitive league that featured CHPC as overall champion. The OCS defeat was the only loss for CHPC in 10 games this year.

The Vikings’ defense limited the Hornets to 155 yards, (81 rushing, 74 passing). OCS intercepted one pass as the CHPC offense also lost traction by fumbling four times and losing one.

CHPC was penalized eight times for 70 yards, while the Vikings accumulated 59 ½ yards in accepted infractions.

How The Scoring Unfolded

The first quarter featured a scoring flurry that featured 31 combined points.

OCS led 19-12 entering the second quarter, but the Vikings had to first sustain a 7-0 deficit after Luke Vosburg returned one of two Gillen passes that were returned for touchdowns.

The Vikings established a one-score lead on two TD throws from Gillen. Tezeno caught an eight-yard scoring throw, while Roy Henry snared a 33-yarder from the Vikings’ quarterback.

A first half scoring duel continued as Bergeron ran for a 20-yard score and Braxtin Harris rushed for a two-yard TD.

OCS led 36-12 at halftime, but the Vikings had to outscore Catholic-PC again in the third period (23-20) before shutting out the Hornets in the fourth period.

The Tezeno and Gillen combination helped OCS outscore the Hornets during the third quarter. After throwing another pick six to the Hornets’ Carter Durblin, Gillen successfully targeted Tezeno who exploded for the 65-yard kickoff return score and then caught consecutive touchdown passes thrown for 65 and 53 yards by Gillen.