CCHS will face Gueydan Friday

Central Catholic will close its regular season Friday when it travels to face the Gueydan Bears in District 7-1A play.
While the Eagles (7-2) look to close out a successful regular season en route to the Division IV (Class 1A select) playoffs, the Bears (0-9) have struggled this season. While they are ranked at the bottom of Class 1A at No. 26 according to the latest Louisiana High School Athletic Association power rankings, Gueydan is eligible for postseason play as the top 32 teams in each bracket (or in Class 1A, everyone) advance to the postseason.
Gueydan has been shutout four times this season and outscored 322-54 this season.
Its closest game has been a 20-18 loss to North Central on Sept. 26.
A week ago, Gueydan dropped a 42-0 game to Lafayette Christian.
Meanwhile, Central Catholic hasn’t lost in over a month since a 29-22 defeat to Vermilion Catholic in Abbeville on Oct. 3, for its lone District 7-1A loss of the season.
If Vermilion Catholic loses Friday night to Ascension Episcopal, the Abbeville-based school and Central Catholic will share the District 7-1A crown. However, if Vermilion Catholic wins, they will win the title outright.
This season, Central Catholic, the third seed in the latest Division IV power rankings, has outscored opponents 268-196.
The Eagles are led on offense by Stefano Guarisco. Guarisco has carried 237 times for 1,103 yards and 18 touchdowns this season while catching 15 passes for 255 yards and three more scores.
He has been used at times at quarterback in place of injured Blake Byrne, including last week’s 34-21 upset victory of Class 1A’s then-No. 7 ranked team, Country Day.
A week ago, he rushed 37 times for 156 yards and two scores while completing 4 of 6 passes for 31 yards.
This season, he has completed 9 of 20 passes for 120 yards and one interception.
Byrne is the Eagles’ top passer this season. He has completed 68 of 145 passes for 999 yards with 12 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Other top contributors for the Eagles are wide receivers Samarick Paul, Jalen Johnson and Matthew Barbier and running back Chris Singleton. Paul has caught 25 passes for 319 yards and five scores, while Johnson is right behind with 17 catches for 315 yards and three scores. Barbier has hauled in 18 passes for 247 yards and one score, and Singleton has rushed 34 times for 242 yards and three scores.
In last week’s win, Paul rushed five times for 25 yards and two scores, while Singleton carries 10 times for 43 yards and a touchdown.
Friday’s game against Gueydan will begin at 7 p.m.
Central Catholic coach Tommy Minton was not available for comment this morning.