Rebuilding Programs See Progress
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com
While Port Barre High probably exhaled thankfully, Beau Chene exhibited improvement Friday night in a game that featured St. Landry Parish high school football teams attempting to resurrect their programs.
Port Barre appeared ready to celebrate a three-score victory late in the fourth quarter, but the Gators scored twice during the final 11 minutes, adding a touch of drama to a wild, Red Devils’ 34-27 victory in a first game on what is now Donnie Perron Field.
The Devils and Beau Chene, who each won once in 2024, combined for 679 offensive yards.
A three-hour game was prolonged due to a combined 20 penalties that were marked off for a combined 160 yards against both teams.
Although the Gators are 0-2, Port Barre head football coach Brent Angelle said Beau Chene displayed an offensive tenacity that tested the Devils’ defense.
“We couldn’t get (Beau Chene) off the field. They kept coming at us,” said Angelle, whose teams have already won twice in 2025.
Angelle said his players realized the significance of the field dedication for Perron, who coached Port Barre High football for 26 years along with a state championship.
“We talked about that all week and our guys were aware of how much winning this game means,” said Angelle.
Much of the Beau Chene offense was provided by running back Christian Wheeler, who ran 26 times for 163 yards and a touchdown.
Wheeler, who had gained 101 at halftime, kept the Gators in scoring position most of the night.
Port Barre meanwhile, leaned on senior quarterback Tylus Metrejean, who completed 7-of-9 passes for 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Metrejean also ran for 48 yards on seven attempts.
“Tylus is a senior and he does a lot of things for us. He is going to be there when you need a play and he again did that for us,” Angelle said.
Beau Chene head football coach Buck Harris said that Wheeler, whose running success occurred mainly on power sweeps off tackle, is showing improvement as a ball carrier.
“What we like is (Wheeler) is starting to read his blockers better and he’s also staying lower now, which is making him more difficult to bring down,” Harris said.
Harris complimented his players for their efforts.
“I thought our guys played real hard. We made some mistakes and we didn’t capitalize in some situations where we needed to do so. What I saw (on Friday night) is a team that is buying in more now. We just have to keep on pushing harder,” Harris added.
A Metrejean interception with 4:17 remaining in the third quarter assisted the Gators with the comeback.
Beau Chene quarterback Braydon Marks completed a pair of throws and a variety of Beau Chene backs carried the Gators to the Port Barre 1-yard line where Wheeler scored on an 11-yard run.
Chrisofer Torres kicked an extra point that cut the Devils’ lead to 34-20.
Port Barre appeared to have the game iced with 5:42 left after the Devils recovered a fumble at the Beau Chene 38.
The Gators turned disappointment into a touchdown however, as Jaylon Dugar picked up a Devils’ fumble that he returned 86 yards with 1:43 remaining.
Port Barre led throughout much of the first half.
After Beau Chene took the opening kickoff 52 yard drive that ended on a Derrick Charles touchdown (8:38), the Devils tied it on a 3-yard Bailey Rideaux touchdown following the Benton Angelle extra point.
Rideaux scored again on a 30-yard pass from Metrejean, but on the next offensive series, the Gators tied the contest at 14, following a second quarter throw by Marks to Tyrone Henry.
Juwan Horns put the Devils ahead 20-14 at halftime as he finished a 79-yard drive with a 1-yard run.
