Photograph: A Beau Chene defender breaks up a pass intended for Port Barre receiver Adam Barron. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
Devonte Charlot appeared thankful for enduring all the preseason workouts that perhaps prepared him for his laborious offensive moments on Saturday afternoon.
Charlot used that previous conditioning to seize control of the football and carry most of the Beau Chene offense with him in 90-plus-degree afternoon heat, as the Gators held off Port Barre for a 9-6 victory.
“I’ve put in a lot of work, so it really didn’t bother me that much. I just kept going. I didn’t want to come out of the game. I had the plays (on a wristband), so when we got into the huddle, I’d just call my number instead,” said Charlot, who carried 34 times for 99 yards.
Charlot finished with all but three of the 102 Beau Chene rushing yards, during a contest where neither team posted any distinguished offensive numbers.
Port Barre led 6-0 until the third period when the Gators scored on Matthew Wheaton end zone fumble recovery when a high snap eluded the grasp of punter Tylus Metrejean.
On the next offensive series, Beau Chene moved to the Devils’ 13-yard line and scored the final points on a 30-yard field goal by junior Marcelo Sanchez.
The Red Devils finished with 79 rushing yards and another 73 passing.
All but 17 of the Devils’ aerial yards came in the final three minutes of the game, when Port Barre launched a 13-play, 88-yard drive that ended on the Gators’ 4-yard line when Metrejean threw incomplete with 15 seconds left.
Beau Chene head football coach Marcques Lewis acknowledged the rushing effort of Charlot, but he also praised the Gators’ defense and special teams.
“This win was huge for us and it came when all three phases of the game showed up. I can’t say enough about our defense, which made stop after spot. Then our special teams showed up with the fumble recovery,” Lewis added.
All but 17 of the Devils’ aerial yards came in the final three minutes of the game, when Port Barre launched a 13-play, 88-yard drive that ended on the Gators’ 4-yard line when Metrejean threw incomplete with 15 seconds left.
Beau Chene head football coach Marcques Lewis acknowledged the rushing effort of Charlot, but he also praised the Gators’ defense and special teams.
“This win was huge for us and it came when all three phases of the game showed up. I can’t say enough about our defense, which made stop after spot. Then our special teams showed up with the fumble recovery,” Lewis added.
Sanchez, who Lewis said is a native Honduran and Beau Chene soccer standout, kicked his first career field goal for the final points. Earlier in the game Sanchez had an extra point attempt blocked, while in the first quarter, his field goal attempt was nullified by a high snap.
“(Sanchez) had never played football, but he said he wanted to kick for us and he has really fit in,” said Lewis.
Port Barre scored during the early second quarter after the Devils recovered a fumble at the Beau Chene 21.
Metrejean end the five-play drive and scored on a 1-yard run, but the two-point conversion failed after a pass incompletion.
The Gators controlled most of the second half.
Port Barre took only seven offensive snaps in the third and fourth quarters, until the Devils started the final drive late in the fourth.
WHAT’S NEXT: Port Barre (1-1) travels to play at Opelousas Catholic. Beau Chene (1-1) plays Northwest at home.
