Notre Dame's Stelly earns top honors

CROWLEY – When the Notre Dame Pios needed a spark Friday in their District 6-3A showdown with North Vermilion, linebacker Hunter Stelly was there to ignite things.
Stelly, a senior, recovered a fumble with the Pios trailing 3-0 in the second quarter to provide just the spark a sluggish ND team needed en route to a 42-3 victory.
The Patriots had scored first courtesy of a 51-yard field goal early in the first quarter and the Pios found themselves trailing for the first time this season.
All that changed in the second quarter when Matthew Hanks logged a sack and forced a fumble that was recovered by Stelly. That play changed the game and the Pios went on to reel off four touchdowns in just under six minutes.
Stelly was also in on 15 tackles on the night, which was more than enough to earn him top honors on this week’s edition of Acadia Parish Grid Stars.
Stelly, however, was pushed for the top spot by a number of his teammates during the victory.
Kade Smith had an interception that he returned 30 yards for a touchdown, in addition to logging three solo tackles. Matthew Hanks recorded a sack and forced fumble and Gavin Bourgeois had an interception to go along with a 61-yard punt return for a touchdown on special teams. Christian Landry also forced a fumble and Jacob Mooney had a fumble recovery.
On the night, the Pios limited North Vermilion to just 97 yards of total offense and five first downs. The Patriots were also held  to just under one yard a carry on the ground, finishing the night with 26 yards on 27 rushes.
Offensively, the Pios racked up 239 yards rushing and 141 through the air.
Lance Bertrand led the ground attack with eight carries for 74 yards while Joe Faulk picked up 69 yards and a touchdown on five carries.
Brad Stoma led the passing attack with nine completions for 141 yards and a touchdown, that being a 31-yard strike to Kevin Frank. Frank had five receptions for 93 yards while Faulk had two for 23.
Others turning in impressive performances, included a number of Crowley Gents.
Once again the Gents got a stellar performance from Pate Broussard in their pivotal 28-20 victory over Eunice. The sophomore quarterback completed eight of 16 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns against the Bobcats. He hit Terrell Thomas once for 73 yards to set up a touchdown and he found Ty’Von Griffin twice for 35 yards and two touchdowns.
Chris Lewis also had a big night, picking up 136 yards on 23 carries. He also had a pair of receptions for 30 yards.
Defensively, Jacob Doucet logged an interception and Ja’Juan Delco blocked an extra point.
Elsewhere, Church Point turned in a 35-0 victory behind a pair of defensive scores.
Frederick Williams picked off a pass and raced 97 yards for a touchdown and Jaylan Kelly recovered an fumble in the end zone for another score.
Brett Richard added a touchdown on a 68-yard punt return.
The Bears’ other two touchdowns were both scored by Christian Veronie, who finished the night with five carries for 22 yards. Deion Monroe had eight carries for 98 yards and James Bellard had 33 yards on eight carries.
Adam Ardoin and Michael Thevis provided the lone two bright spots for Iota in its 35-6 loss to South Beauregard. Adoin rushed 27 times for 96 yards while Thevis went for 25 yards and a touchdown on five carries.