Photograph: An Opelousas Catholic ball carrier is on the way downfield during the first quarter of the Friday night game against Port Barre. (Photograph by Freddie Herpin.)
BOBBY ARDOIN
Editor/Consulting Writer
There was little doubt on Friday night that the revised Opelousas Catholic offensive concept is moving forward.
The Vikings used the third game of the season to display that development, as OCS compiled 407 total yards during a 46-0 victory over Port Barre.
It was also the first win for first-year head coach Cullen Matherne, who is injecting more passing into the Vikings’ offense.
OCS rushed for 185 yards and senior quarterback Matt Collins threw for another 222 and three touchdowns in the contest played at Donald Gardner Stadium
Collins also ran for 116 and four touchdowns against Port Barre (1-2), but he was intercepted twice.
Senior OCS receiver Beckett Boyd caught two second half TD throws of 42 and 33 yards.
“What we’re doing with the offense is still a work in progress. Our kids know the plays, but looking at where we are with it, I am proud of where the offense is right now. I think we’re going in the right direction,” said Matherne.
The Vikings’ defense also provided some assistance.
OCS limited the Red Devils to 97 yards. Port Barre has compiled 249 total yards in the last two games.
Port Barre advanced only twice beyond midfield against OCS,
Vikings’ linebacker Christian Lee said the defensive objective for OCS was protecting the outside lanes.
“Our d-line wanted to contest the edge and then have the linebackers clean up anything else. This win was big for us. The first two that we played were rough. We missed some tackles against Ascension Catholic and (against Port Barre) what we wanted to do was finish up the play,” said Lee.
Matherne said the win provided testimony to a collaborative effort.
“I think our guys felt that we left some things out on the field last week (against Ascension Catholic) and we challenged the offense to score 40 and the defense to hang a goose egg. We got both,” said Matherne.
OCS used several early short field advantages to establish a 26-0 halftime lead.
Following the 72-yard, opening possession scoring drive of 72 yards, the Vikings later scored twice in the second half on drives of 40 and 30 yards.
Then in the fourth period, OCS scored on a 37-yard possession when Collins threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Dontre Henry.
NEXT WEEK – Opelousas Catholic (1-2) goes to Southern Lab. Port Barre opens the district schedule against Mamou.