LCA outlasts CCHS, 46-42

Central Catholic’s point total Thursday night could win most high school football games.
It boasted two 100-yard rushers, a 100-yard passer and nearly a 100-yard receiver.
The Eagles even outgained their opponent in total offense and recorded scores on offense, defense and special teams.
With all they did right Thursday night, Lafayette Christian did a little bit more, leaving Morgan City with a 46-42 victory in both team’s District 7-1A opener at Tiger Stadium.
“We gave up too many big plays,” Central Catholic coach Tommy Minton said. “Some of it was alignment issues that we didn’t line up right. Two of the long runs by the tailback (Trey Breaux) we weren’t lined up correctly. No if, ands, buts about it. They took advantage of it, so we got to do a better job.”
Minton said it starts with the coaching staff.
While Central Catholic entered the fourth quarter ahead 36-33, Lafayette Christian took a 40-36 lead early in the fourth quarter following a two-play, 40-yard drive that ended with a 39-yard touchdown reception by Sage Ryan with 9:34 remaining. Collin Lahaye’s kick was good.
The touchdown was set up by a Lahaye interception of Central Catholic’s Blake Byrne.
With Lafayette Christian trying to run out the clock, Breaux broke off a 67-yard run down the Lafayette Christian sideline for a touchdown with 1:04 left, and Lahaye’s kick was blocked by Central Catholic’s DeDe Gant for a 46-36 Lafayette Christian lead.
However, Central Catholic’s Samarick Paul returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a score with 51 seconds remaining after initially muffing it. The extra point by Drake Angeron, who had been near perfect this season, was no good, but Central Catholic now trailed 46-42.
The Eagles could not recover Angeron’s onside kick attempt, and Lafayette Christian ran out the clock for the victory.
The conclusion marked the end of a highlight-filled contest.
On the game’s second offensive play, Central Catholic running back Chris Singleton dashed 76 yards for a touchdown.
Moments later on Lafayette Christian’s first offensive possession, Clement was intercepted by Paul, who returned the pick 57 yards to the Lafayette Christian 9.
One play later, Bailey Badeaux scored on a nine-yard run. Angeron’s extra point with about 10:40 remaining in the first quarter extended the Eagles’ lead to 14-0.
Lafayette Christian got on the scoreboard on its next drive when Clement connected with Ryan for a 34-yard touchdown reception. Lahaye’s extra point with 7:54 remaining in the first quarter cut the Eagles’ lead to 14-7.
The Knights cut their deficit to 14-13 after Clement scored on a 2-yard run with 8:19 remaining in the second quarter.
The drive was set up by a Lafayette Christian interception of Byrne and returned to the Central Catholic 38.
Central Catholic didn’t need long to respond as Badeaux broke off an 87 yard run up the middle for a touchdown with 7:30 remaining in the second quarter. Angeron’s extra point with 7:30 remaining extended the Eagles’ lead to 21-13.
Lafayette Christian responded with scores on consecutive drives, a 39-yard run by Breaux with 6:22 remaining in the first half and a 3-yard run by Clement with 3:51 remaining to push the Lafayette Christian lead to 27-21.
While a Central Catholic drive came up empty at the Lafayette Christian 7 on its next possession due to a lost fumble, the Eagles got some redemption on a safety two plays later when Kaden Scott tackled Clement in the end zone and Lafayette Christian’s lead was trimmed to 27-23.
Central Catholic started fast in the third quarter, just like the first quarter.
After recovering a Clement fumble at the end of a run on Lafayette Christian’s first offensive play, Singleton broke off a 40-yard run in which he ran over a Lafayette Christian defender on his way to the end zone. Angeron’s kick gave Central Catholic a 30-27 lead with 11:35 remaining in the third quarter.
The Eagles got another touchdown shortly after when Ja’len Johnson intercepted Clement and returned the pick 48 yards for a score with 9:55 remaining in the third for a 36-27 Central Catholic advantage.
Lafayette Christian countered on its next offensive possession when Clement connected with Breaux for a 28-yard pass with 8:53 remaining in the third quarter to cut the Central Catholic lead to 36-33.
On their next offensive series, the Eagles lost Singleton to an injury as he had to be helped off the field by two people.
He finished the game as the Eagles’ leading rusher with 12 carries for 128 yards and two scores.
Badeaux added 14 carries for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
As a team, Central Catholic totaled 388 yards of offense (247 rushing and 141 passing).
Byrne completed 12 of 22 passes for 141 yards with two interceptions.
His leading receiver was Paul, who hauled in six catches for 90 yards.
Lafayette Christian totaled 382 yards of offense (271 rushing and 111 passing).
Breaux had 17 carries for 201 yards and two touchdowns, while he caught three passes for 36 yards and another score.
Clement had 21 carries for 46 yards and two touchdowns, and he completed 5 of 17 passes for 111 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Ryan was the team’s leading receiver with two catches for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
Central Catholic will return to action Thursday when it hosts Centerville in District 7-1A action.
“We’re four games in,” Minton said. “Whole idea is we put ourselves behind the eight ball right here the first district game, but we’re going to bounce back and we’ll be OK.”