Photograph: Donovan Thomas is on his way to obtaining yardage.(Photograph by Susan Angelle Photography)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
There was essentially no doubt from the start, as Eunice High established a 25-point halftime lead which helped close out a 44-20 victory over St. Landry Parish rival Northwest High Friday night.
The Bobcats (2-2), who outgained the Raiders (2-2) in total yardage, added to a 14-7 first quarter lead with three second-period running game scores by Tyshun Joseph, Thaddeus Godfrey and a 63-yard pass reception from Josh Brown to wide receiver Tylon Cooper.
“It was important for the outcome for us to get that early lead on (Northwest). It was 14-0 before (Northwest) touched the ball, which really made a difference. This was a win we really needed. The kids came back on Monday and we had a great practice, so I figured we would be ready,” said Eunice head football coach Andre Vige.
Eunice has now won the last five games in the series with Northwest, dating back to 2016, when the Raiders defeated the Bobcats 14-7.
Cooper provided a lift for the Bobcats’ offense, with four receptions for 126 yards.
In the fourth quarter Cooper added the final touchdown of the game with an 85-yard interception return.
Eunice led 32-7 at halftime, but the Raiders kept the Bobcats out the end zone during the third quarter and outscored the Bobcats 13-12 over the last two periods.
Northwest running back Javian Reese scored both the Raiders’ first half touchdowns on runs of one and 15 yards. Reese ended a fourth straight game with over 100 yards rushing.
Against Eunice Reese obtained 129 yards on 23 carries, lifting his season total to 681 yards after four games.
Northwest running back Donovan Thomas gained 59 yards on 11 rushing attempts.
Thomas is right behind Reese in rushing yardage, with 50 carries and 521 yards..
Vige said the Raiders, who had 250 yards rushing featured a ground game that was difficult to contain.
“Reese is a big back and is difficult to tackle. Thomas is another good back. I think (Curt Ware) has done a good job with the running game (at Northwest),” said Vige.
The Eunice running game (195 yards) featured yardage dispersed among Bryan Allen (14 carries, 42 yards 2 TD’s), Joseph (12-40) and Isiah Thomas (2-30).
Brown completed 5-of-9 attempts for 151.
“I thought (Brown) really threw the ball well and Tylon (Cooper) had another big night for us,” Vige said.
Photograph by Susan Angelle Photography – www.susanangellephotography.com
