CCHS falls at Vermilion Catholic, 29-22

With virtually no running game and having thrown five interceptions, Central Catholic still had a chance late in Friday’s contest against No. 6-ranked Vermilion Catholic.
Trailing 29-22, the Eagles took control of the ball at its own 39 yard line with 2:31.
While the Eagles picked up one first down via an offsides penalty, Central Catholic could do no more as quarterback Blake Byrne’s first two passes were incomplete, a third to running back Stefano Guarisco was for a five-yard loss and the fourth down pass was broken up by Vermilion Catholic on a pass attempt to Jalen Johnson, allowing the home standing Screaming Eagles to hold on for the win.
Unlike Vermilion Catholic, Central Catholic was not ranked in the Louisiana Sports Writers Association poll entering the contest.
However, the game was a matchup of top 3 teams in Class 1A, according to the latest unofficial Louisiana High School Athletic Association power rankings. Central Catholic entered the game ranked No. 1 and Vermilion Catholic, No. 3.
Early on in the fourth quarter, Vermilion Catholic appeared as if it could pull away from Central Catholic.
Already ahead 22-14 heading into the fourth quarter, Vermilion Catholic extended its lead early in the final period after Vermilion Catholic quarterback Hunter Frith rolled towards the Central Catholic sideline before firing a pass downfield that Emile Trahan caught in stride and turned into an 88-yard touchdown for a 29-14 advantage with 10:10 remaining in the ball game.
However, the Eagles bounced back later in the period.
After Central Catholic’s John Parker intercepted Frith for Central Catholic’s third interception of the ball game and returned it to the Vermilion Catholic 20, the Eagles needed just two plays to reach the end zone.
After Guarisco gained three yards on first down, Byrne connected with Samarick Paul on a 17-yard pass on second down that was nearly intercepted by Vermilion Catholic Chris Campbell, but instead deflected off him where Paul was there to haul it in for a touchdown.
Byrne completed a two-point conversion to Guarisco to pull the Eagles within seven at 6:07 remaining.
After the Eagles stopped Vermilion Catholic’s Tyler Derouen two yards short on fourth down at the Central Catholic 40, Central Catholic took over and had its final attempt at a score.
For much of the night, the Screaming Eagles shut down Central Catholic’s run game.
Central Catholic standout Stefano Guarisco was limited to 15 carries for 4 yards, but he did catch four passes for 23 yards and a touchdown.
As a team, the Eagles had -28 yards rushing.
Both teams were scoreless in the first quarter before Vermilion Catholic struck first in the second period.
However, it was the Screaming Eagles’ defense, not its high-powered offense, which produced the touchdown.
On first down at the Central Catholic 46, quarterback Byrne’s pass was intercepted by Andre Girouard, who returned the pass 46 yards down the Vermilion Catholic sideline for a touchdown. Trahan’s extra point was no good, but Vermilion Catholic led 6-0.
Vermilion Catholic added to its lead later in the first half when Guarisco was taken down in the end zone for a three-yard loss and a safety, giving Vermilion Catholic an 8-0 lead with 4:32 remaining in the second quarter.
Central Catholic got on the board right before halftime when Byrne connected with Johnson on a 35-yard pass in which Johnson made a catch over the defender near the goal line before going in for the score
Byrne connected with Matthew Barbier on a two-point pass to tie the score at 8 with 28 seconds remaining.
In the third quarter, Vermilion Catholic added a quick touchdown after intercepting Byrne at the Central Catholic 24 yard line and returning it to the Eagles’ 14.
Three plays later, Frith connected with Derouen for a 1-yard score and a 15-8 lead with 9:49.
Central Catholic responded on its next drive when Byrne connected with Guarisco on a 23-yard screen pass. However Matthew Barbier missed the extra point and Central Catholic trailed 15-14 with 6:57 remaining in the third.
Vermilion Catholic added another touchdown in the third quarter via a 12-yard run by Derouen. The score was set up after another Byrne interception.
Byrne finished the night 14 of 35 for 183 yards and three touchdowns for Central Catholic with five interceptions.
Johnson led the Eagles’ receivers with four catches for 93 yards and a score, while Paul had four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, the Eagles did well against Vermilion Catholic, especially the secondary. Several times the Eagles either knocked down passes.
Charlie Barron recorded two interceptions in the loss, while Parker had another.
Central Catholic (3-2) will return to action Thursday when it hosts Hanson.

Central Catholic Box Score
CCHS VC First downs: 10 14
Rushing yards: -28 124
Passing yards: 183 205
Total yards: 155 329
Pts-Avg: 6-29.7 6-28.5
Fumbles-Lost: 1-0 2-1

Score by Quarters
VCHS: 0 8 14 7 29
CCHS: 0 8 6 8 22

CCHS Individual Stats Passing
Blake Byrne 14 of 35-5, 183 yds. 3 TDs

Receiving
Jaylen Johnson 4-93, TD; Samarick Paul, 4-43, 1 TD; Stefano Guarisco, 4-23, 1 TD; Matthew Barbier, 1-20; Tony Pennison, 1-4

Rushing
Stefano Guarisco, 15-4 yds.; Blake Byrne, 4-(-32) yds.