OCS Uses Key Plays In Win
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
When offensive maneuverability is minimal, it sometimes becomes a matter of utilizing the available opportunities.
Opelousas Catholic deployed that strategy Thursday night, as the Vikings effectively brushed aside a muddy Donald Gardner Stadium obstacle and used defense for offense and a season-opening 20-14 victory over Iota.
With both offenses struggling due to the light rain and turf sloppiness, OCS used an Iota fumble, a kickoff return and a short late-game touchdown drive to help capture the win.
“Both of us are passing teams, so it was a matter of how you handled the conditions. Neither offense really did much. I doubt we combined for much more than 50 yards,” said OCS head football coach Cullen Matherne.
Matherne said ultimately the game was placed on the shoulders of the OCS defense.
“With the field conditions the way they were, I thought our guys on the defensive side were phenomenal. We have a few guys who are going both ways. I thought they were able to show a lot of toughness throughout the game,” said Matherne.
OCS scored on a Myles Collins 50-yard fumble return followed by another TD when Royce Butler brought back an Iota kickoff 80 yards. Braydon Fontenot scored after recovering a punt in the end zone.
“We had those two big plays for scores and we added what amounted to a defensive touchdown. It was a real tight game the whole time, but we had the big scoop and score and the kickoff return. We then got a great punt that we downed and we took advantage.” Matherne said.
The Vikings, said Matherne, were anticipating the Iota matchup.
“We didn’t play particularly well in the jamboree and I think our performance kind of knocked our eyes open. We were tough on them all week and we came up with a win that was covered in mud,” Matherne added.
OCS was 0-2 in season-opening games over the past two seasons.
“I think this win for us was a big confidence booster. We started off with a big win and we hope to follow that up when we go to East Beauregard next Friday,” Matherne said,
Grand Lake defeated East Beauregard 29-8 on Thursday night.
