Photograph: OCS lineman Peyton Hebert makes a tackle. (Photograph by Mike Curley)
BOBBY ARDOIN Editor/Consulting Writer
Opelousas Catholic solidified a third consecutive outright district football championship Friday night with a 521-yard total offensive performance that produced over 50 points for the fourth consecutive week.
The Vikings (7-3) finished District 6-1A unblemished with five victories and 254 points in five league games in the first season under head coach Cullen Matherne.
Matherne, who has implemented more of a spread offense, saw OCS end the regular season with a 56-12 over St. Edmund in a contest played at Blue Jay Field.
Opelousas Catholic will potentially host a first-round playoff game this week at Donald Gardner Stadium against an opponent that will be determined following an annual postseason selection program.
The Vikings established a 21-0 first quarter lead against St. Edmund, following three extended first quarter drives that featured Royce Butler touchdowns.
OCS then scored four times in the third quarter to claim a 49-12 lead and put the game out of reach for St. Edmund (7-3, 3-2), which finished in third place behind district runner-up Catholic High of Pointe Coupee.
Butler, who scored four TD’s, experienced an exceptional night, with 181 rushing yards on 12 carries and two pass receptions totaling 59.
The Vikings rushed for 217 yards and passed for another 304. Rowen Bergeron finished with six receptions for 114 yards as quarterback Mark Collins completed 19 of 27 passes.
OCS scored on all six scoring area chances.
St. Edmund played the entire game without sophomore running back KeVon Johnson, who entered Week 10 as the state rushing leader (1,863 yards) and the all-time school rushing leader.
The Blue Jays were limited to 38 rushing yards on 28 attempts against OCS.
St. Edumind ttrailed 21-6 at halftime, but the Jays had the opportunity to cut the Vikings’ lead to one score on the first series of the second half.
However OCS recovered a fumble following a Kane West completion on the first snap of the third period and the Vikings subsequently pulled away when Collins threw eight yards to wide receiver Roderick Tezeno.
After St. Edmund responded with a 39-yard Seth Aucoin touchdown reception from West to end a four-play, 62-yard drive, the Vikings distanced further from St Edmund on a 46-yard scoring pass to Bergeron.
OCS added two more scores as Butler and Collins each reached the end zone on rushing attempts.
West passed for 179 yards after completing 12-of-25 throws. Aucoin caught three passes for 58 yards and Marcus Gradney had three receptions for 56.
St. Edmund is also expected to participate in the Division IV select playoffs and possibly host a first-round postseason game in Eunice.
