Tigers Lose In OT
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
(Photo By Freddie Herpin)
The only “e” missing in the Opelousas High game plan Friday night was extra point.
Other than three missed conversions following touchdowns, OHS head coach Harry Coleman was pleased with the Tigers’ effort and overall execution in a 27-26 overtime loss to Carencro in a Donald Gardner Stadium game that opened District 5-4A competition for both teams.
“I could not have asked for a better effort from our kids. It was a great football game. I thought we had a great plan and so did Carencro. These are the types of games that you appreciate and that are only going to help you when you get ready for the playoffs,” Coleman said.
The Tigers scored on a 12-yard Collin Rideau run with 26 seconds remaining in the third quarter to grab a 20-13 advantage. However the Tigers also missed a second missed extra point kick following the TD.
Carencro shut out Opelousas in the fourth quarter and tied the game at 26 in the fourth period on a 1-yard run by Carson Gurzi and the extra point kick sent the game into overtime.
The Bears scored the game winner on a 6-yard run by Cardaye Batiste on the first possession and Opelousas matched the TD with a Caden Arvie reception from Rideau.
Coleman said the 2-point conversion play was a pass attempt that featured Arvie as the primary target.
“(Arvie) was open in the end zone, but Carencro had a blitz on and it looked like (Rideau) might have had his arm tipped as he tried to make the throw. Caden was wide open; we just didn’t get the ball to him,” Coleman said.
“I think there are a lot of positive takeaways that we can get from this game and we are going to build on those. It’s up to us now to take care of business the rest of the way. What we need to do better is get our two-point conversions and then find us a kicker,” said Coleman.
Opelousas is 4-2 overall, while the Bears are 2-4.
How They Scored
Opelousas led 6-0 with 2:21 left in the first quarter. Rideau completed a 56-yard pass to Aaron Hall. The extra point kick failed.
Carencro took a 7-6 second quarter lead following a 30-yard Batiste run. The extra point was good.
The Tigers established a 14-7 lead with a minute remaining before halftime. Rideau scored on an 8-yard run and he completed a 2-point conversion pass to Marley Richard that enabled Opelousas to lead 14-7.
In the third quarter the Bears pulled within a point (14-13) following an 8-yard run.
Rideau kept the Tigers ahead (20-13) with the 12-yard run. The extra point kick failed.
Team-Individuals
Opelousas finished with 282 total offensive yards, while the Bears obtained 356.
Carencro passed for 135 yards.
Rideau ran 21 times for 87 yards and two touchdowns. Rideau passed for 158 after completing eight of 12 attempts.
Jaylon Owns (1-for-48), Richard (2-for-36) and Arvie (2-for-21) were the top receivers.
Running back Joseph Clues gained 38 yards on 16 carries.
Coleman said Clues’ effectiveness was limited by the Bears’ defense, which stacked the first two levels of containment.
Owens finished with 8 tackles and a pair of assists, while Javion Hall had eight tackles that included two behind the line of scrimmage.
Braden Gradnigo had a sack.
