Opelousas Remains Undefeated
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
Opelousas High continues writing its own version of fast and furious.
The Tigers continued using the early-game dominance and defensive strength that helped Opelousas defeat Northwest High 44-7 Friday night at Donald Gardner Stadium.
Billed as the Zydeco Bowl between two teams with student enrollments from the Opelousas area, the victory enabled Opelousas High to race to a 3-0 start. Northwest is 1-2.
It was the first time the teams met in regular season football since 2019.
The Tigers have now outscored their opponents 64-0 in the first quarter of their three victories.
Against Northwest it was a similar theme.
Opelousas moved ahead of Northwest 22-0 after the initial 12 minutes and by halftime the game moved to running time after the Tigers led 44-0..
Tigers’ running back Joseph Clues gained 223 rushing yards on 13 carries. Clues used the yardage to account for his three touchdowns.
Quarterback Collin Rideau gained 58 on seven carries. Rideau also completed 9-of-11 passes for 83 yards and three touchdowns.
Overall the Tigers finished with 468 total yards. Northwest obtained 176 (95 rushing and another 81 passing).
Defensive back Jaylon Owens intercepted two passes — while Javion Hill had eight tackles (three of those for losses). Marley Richard had four tackles.
“It was a big rivalry game and our kids were excited about playing in it. I thought we were ready,” said Opelousas head coach Harry Coleman.
Northwest High head coach Chris Edwards said the score reflected the way his team played.
“We just got whipped. I thought we didn’t block that well, (Opelousas High) made some big plays, we had mental mistakes and we turned the ball over three or four times. They took advantage of all of that,” Edwards said.
The Raiders have a Homecoming game scheduled this week against Crowley. It will also be the first district game for Northwest, which won a district title last year.
Three of the Opelousas touchdowns came on plays of more than 15 yards.
Clues broke loose on a 67-yard run to open the first quarter scoring. That run enabled Opelousas to lead 6-0 before Rideau completed a 16-yard pass to Richard and a two-point conversion by Clues gave the Tigers the 14-0 advantage.
Clues added two more TD’s on runs of one and 43 yards. Both scores on the conversions afterward provided the Tigers with a 28-0 lead.
Rideau then threw a pair of second quarter touchdown passes to Aaron Hall (28 yards and Owens (81 yards).
The Raiders’ touchdown came on a 12-yard run from Adrian Lazard.
Quarterback Chaise Dupre had 81 passing yards for the Raiders. The key targets for Northwest included 47-reception yards from Mhy’Keal Richard, Markez Davis (2-for-19) and Chris Cane (3-for-15).
Defensively Jermaine Clark had five tackles, while linebacker Frederick Nimer had two stops, a sack and two behind the line of scrimmage tackles.
