Photograph: Opelousas High School celebrated final regular season game. (Photograph by Bobby Ardoin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Contributing Writer
The halftime fireworks display over Donald Gardner Stadium was only one explosive interlude for an Opelousas High regular season-ending celebration that saluted a 10-game experience seldom seen during the last several decades.
There was also a detonation of sorts on the field, as 220-pound sophomore Da’Shaunn Ford ran for a school record 301 yards, which assisted the Tigers in tying a program standard for points during the 88-7 win over geographic rival Beau Chene.
A celebrity atmosphere continuously prevailed throughout, as local politicians roamed the sidelines and posed for pictures with former Opelousas standout Devery Henderson, who last week was formally inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame.
It was Henderson’s previous 286-rushing yard performance established almost 25 years ago that was demolished by Ford, who has over 1,200 rushing yards, plowed through the Gators on touchdown runs of 61, 53, 19 and 80 yards.
Historically the game was a goodbye for eight Opelousas High seniors at a 63-year-old athletic facility that is soon scheduled to undergo a complete renovation as part of a municipal sports complex plan that intends to redefine South City Park.
The outcome additionally officially provided Opelousas High with a 9-1 record that included an outright District 5-4A championship, an accomplishment which had evaded the school for more than 20 years.
“I really think we should be 10-0 right now. That was one of the goals in addition to the district championship. I’m still proud of what we were able to accomplish,” said Opelousas High head football coach Jimmy Zachery Jr., who assumed control of the program in 2020.
What remains ahead for the Tigers will be revealed later this weekend as the Division II non-select playoff pairings are announced by the Louisiana High School Athletic Association.
During the past several weeks Opelousas High has been ranked as high as No. 1 in Division II and as low as fourth.
“With DeSoto and Church Point losing (on Friday night), I think we could end up with a first-round bye and then play a home game in the playoffs. We’ve finished our second season now and the third season starts with the playoffs,” Zachery said.
Zachery denied the Tigers were intentionally tilting the scoring lever too far against Beau Chene, but he did admit Opelousas was trying to set a school-record for points scored.
Opelousas however used an onside kick off throughout the game, recovering all but two as continuous scoring chances were established.
“There were some things said during the week about us and the kids took that personally,” Zachery added.
The Tigers scored on every offensive possession against the Gators, who finished 1-9.
With just over five minutes gone in the first quarter, Ford scored on the 53 and 61 yard runs and Collin Fontenot added another touchdown on a 48-yard interception.
In the second period quarterback Zach Malveaux threw scoring completions to senior Mekhi Jones and Korey Fontenot, which elevated the score to 56-0 with fewer than nine minutes left before halftime.
Opelousas increased the lead to 62-0 just before the intermission and the fireworks that ignited over the south end zone.
Then afterward Ford took the first second half play from scrimmage 80 yards for another score..
Malveaux completed four-of-seven passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. The scoring reception by Jones covered 53 yards, while Korey caught another TD throw for 50.
Beau Chene quarterback Matthew Mayfield scored on a 49-yard run during the third period.
