Wolves collect 35-21 district win over Indians

The Rayne High Wolves collected their first 4-A district win Friday as they hosted  Washington-Marion at Wolf Stadium.

After a scoring bananza in the first half, the Wolves settled things down in the second half of play for the 35-21 win.

“We settled down after the half, began making our tackles, and held our own on defense,” stated Rayne High Head Coach Curt Ware on the big district win.

“When you have four turn-overs the first half and you’re still in the ballgame, you have to take advantage of that, and that’s exactly what our guys did,” Ware noted of his team’s strong second half of play.

Both teams began the ballgame on a shaky note, Rayne opening with an interception and the Indians with a loss fumble recovered by Nicky Facheaux, the Wolves were the first team to light up the score board, a Trent Duhon 38-yard touchdown run. The extra point by Ty Delahoussaye put the Wolves up, 7-0.

The Indians answered with an air attack as Quajae Boutte connected with Tyler Rideaux for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Henry Dicks booted the extra point for the first of three tied scores of the ballgame at 7-all.

Closing out the first quarter for the Wolves was Byron Mouton with a quick 57-yard touchdown run along the sideline on a two-play, 60-yard scoring drive. Delahoussaye placed another extra point and a 14-7 Rayne lead heading into the second quarter.

The Indians took to the air once again for their second score of the ballgame, a Boutte completion to D’Maja Edwards from eight yards out completing an 80-yard drive. The extra point evened things up for the second time at 14-all with almost 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

As both squads collected gains and turnovers, Rayne put together an 80-yard scoring drive ending on a Trent Duhon 32-yard touchdown run. The extra point edged the Wolves ahead, 21-14 -- but not for long.

On their very next drive, the Indians hit the air once more for a 78-yard touchdown pass to Demond Delahoussaye for a the third tie of the ballgame at 21-all with the first half concluding.

What looked like another Rayne score was cut short with a fumble in the endzone, giving Wasington-Marion another try as the clock ticked down. But, the Wolves collected a fumble by Nicky Faucheaux near mid-field with less than two minutes in the second quarter of play. Rayne’s attempt for another score was also short-lived with another interception to end the first half of play.

Both teams opened the second half with different looks, Rayne more determined and the Indians trying a ground attack.

“Both teams pushed it the first half and came out kinda flat,” noted Ware concerning the second half. “I think a couple of plays put our guys in a better state of mind and that carried over in some productive plays, especially on defense.”

That second half of play Ware spoke of was all Rayne, blanking the Indians while scoring another two scores, one in each of the remaining quarters.

Rayne’s third quarter score was a direct result of a fumble recovery by Byron Mouton. Eight plays and 40 yards later, Trent Duhon got behind his linemen for his third score on the night. Another Delahoussaye extra point placed the Wolves in the driver’s seat with a 28-21 lead heading into the final quarter.

Washington-Marion attempted to score on a 70-yard drive, but came up short near Rayne’s 20-yard line, where the ball went to the Wolves as their defense held on a fourth down and short situation.

Scoring his second touchdown of the ballgame as the clock ticked down in the final quarter was Byron Mouton, who hit the home sideline for a 76-yard run. Delahoussaye scored the final extra point of the ballgame.

The Indians attempted a comeback near the three-minute mark, but Grant Menard snagged an interception near the 23-yard line, sealing Rayne’s 35-21 win.

The win improves the Wolves to 4-0 over all and 1-0 in district play.

“Our running game really came though for us tonight,” stated Ware as he referred to his team’s 419 rushing yards. In addition to 39 yards in the air, the Wolves combined for 458 total offensive yards.

Byron Mouton, Trent Duhon and Javon Cormier led Rayne’s rushing attack. Mouton had 12 carries for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Duhon touched the endzone three times with 21 carries for 160 yards. Cormier had 13 carries for 48 yards.

Tyler LeJeune hit the air with four attempts and two completions for 39 yards to Trent Duhon and Grant Menard.

Trent Mouton, Byron Mouton and Nicky Faucheaux recovered fumbles on the Rayne defense, while tackle leaders limiting the Indians to only 68 rushing yards were Brice Meche (6), Andrew Brousard and Nicky Faucheaux (5), TJ Beard (4.5), and four each by Byron Mouton, Christian Hodges, Jonathan Dugas, Desmond Cole and Jaquan Cormier.

The Wolves will travel to Lake Charles Friday where they will try to improve their district record against a tough LaGrange High team.