Photographs by Freddie Herpin
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor, Consulting Writer
Chances are there might never be another St. Landry Parish Football Jamboree like the one that prematurely concluded before a large crowd Friday night at Donald Gardner Stadium.
In addition to canceling the remaining five minutes of the Opelousas-Northwest High jamboree game, a prospective third contest between Eunice High and Beau Chene was not played due to what city administrators, municipal law enforcement and School District officials decided was a crowd safety concern.
Before that determination was made, Port Barre defeated North Central 20-0 in a 24-minute game that due mainly to penalties, timeouts and minor injuries, took just under two hours to complete.
For Eunice and Beau Chene the decision to avoid playing the final jamboree game before one of the stadium’s largest preseason crowds in years was a major disappointment for both teams.
It was especially frustrating, said Eunice High head coach Andre Vige, since his team didn’t get to play on Thursday night due to weather conditions in Lafayette.
The Eunice-Beau Chene was especially anticipated, since the jamboree contest originally intended for the Eunice junior varsity to play Beau Chene.
Here’s what happened in the games that were played
Opelousas-Northwest
Although it was not completed, this contest that ended with Opelousas leading 13-6 provided an entertainment component that featured three explosive touchdowns.
It was also the first time the two schools that draw athletes from adjacent vicinities, had played in a jamboree since 2019.
Opelousas led 7-0 at halftime following a 50-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zach Malveaux to wide receiver Korey Fontenot.
On their next series, the Tigers scored (9:56) on a 10-yard Malveaux TD completion to Zay Amos.
The two touchdown lead was cut quickly however when the Raiders’ Donovan Thomas scored on a counter play 25 seconds later.
Thomas found a line of scrimmage seam and used it to burst into the OHS secondary. After moving past the second tier of defenders, Thomas scored without being touched.
Malveaux finished the shortened game completing five of seven passes for 125 yards. Running back D’Shaunn Fontenot carried 10 times for 22 yards.
Northwest, using the Wing-T formation for the first time this season, rushed for 109.
Opelousas – Northwest Game (Photographs by Freddie Herpin.)
Port Barre 20, North Central 0
Port Barre rushed for 127 yards and freshman quarterback Tylus Metrejean passed for another 50 and a touchdown following three completions.
North Central only managed 10 offensive snaps during the second half, as Port Bare controlled time of possession.
The Red Devils scored one second half touchdown when running back Keenan Hardy ended a 51-yard drive with a 1-yard run (8:29).
Then on the next offensive series, Port Barre featured freshman running back Chase Dedon, who carried six times for 18 yards. Metrejean then threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Cade Metrejean.
North Central finished the game with 27 rushing yards and another 35 passing as quarterback Chad Malveaux completed eight of 16 attempts.
North Central High School – Port Barre High School Game (Photographs by Freddie Herpin.)
EVALUATING THE JAMBOREE
What We Liked
North Central High football coach Jacob Carruth allowing the website to take a team photo on the field before the start of the game.
Colleen Richard and Jennifer Johnson featured the most generous jamboree hospitality in recent years, courtesy of Beau Chene High.
St. Landry Parish Athletic Director Clarissa Johnson provided assistance with identifying players by providing rosters for five of the six teams.
What We Didn’t Like
The large crowd missed a potentially good game between Eunice High and Beau Chene.
Lighting at Donald Gardner Stadium was nearly non-existent on certain areas of the field.
