Breaux Bridge slips by Wolves in final seconds

RAYNE - For the third time in as many weeks, a win for the Rayne Wolves have slipped away with just seconds remaining. On Friday night, it was Breaux Bridge's turn.
With a 20-7 lead for the Wolves late in the fourth and final quarter, Breaux Bridge took a kickoff and returned it for a 97-yard touchdown. That closed the gap at 20-17 with the extra point kick with 1:55 remaining in the ballgame.
On a surprise non-lineup kickoff by the Tigers, Rayne fumbled and lost possession, allowing Breaux Bridge to score on a 26-yard run two plays later for the 20-20 tie. The Tigers lined up for the extra point, which they scored, and claimed the 21-20 come from behind win.
"This one just hits you in the gut," stated Rayne High Head Coach Curt Ware on the one-point loss. "Our guys worked so hard, left it all on the field, and again came up short. These guys gave it their all, I have to say that."
The Wolves were the first to strike early in the first quarter with a pass completion from Jaylon Reed to Devonte Robinson for a 63-yard touchdown. The extra point was wide right and Rayne was up 6-0.
But the Tigers answered on their next drive with a 48-yard touchdown run and extra point, posting a slim 7-6 lead which remained until the half.
"We came out of the half looking pretty good," Ware continued. "Our defense was holding up well and we were moving the ball but coming up just short on a couple of plays. Our defense was doing really well, better in the second half than we have recently."
The only score of the third quarter came with a Rayne drive led by Wilridge and Harmon for yardage, ending with a Reed completion to Robinson for a 34-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion, a flea-flicker pass from Reed to Harmon and back to Reed was successful and the Wolves held a 14-7 lead going into the dreadful fourth quarter.
The Rayne defense held the Tigers at bay in the final quarter, holding off three drives with Richard Breaux and Nicky Faucheaux making tackles for losses, along with Tony Gabriel recording a quarterback sack. All the while, allowing the Rayne offense enough rest to record another score.
Around the two-minute mark, Reed connected with Robinson, setting up a Darien Harmon two-yard touchdown run for the Wolves. The extra point was blocked, but the Wolves held a 20-7 going into the final seconds of the game when Breaux Bridge made their move for the win.
"I just can not say enough about our guys tonight," continued Ware on his team's effort. "Our offense played better tonight, our defense did their job, and everyone gave it their all. You just can't ask for anything else out of your guys."
Ware concluded, "The breaks just fell Breaux Bridge's later on and they can up with the win. It really could of went either way."
Total offense for both teams were collectively close, Rayne having 260 total offensive yards to Breaux Bridge's 242.
Leading the Rayne rushing attack was Deontrey Wilridge with 23 carries for 72 yards. Darien Harmon was 8-for-40 with a touchdown, and Trent Winbush netted nine yards on three carries.
In the air for the Wolves, Reed was 7-for-14 with 132 passing yards along with two touchdowns and a conversion. He also collected seven rushing yards on the ground.
Devonte Robinson led receivers with three catches for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Darien Harmon was 3-for-14 and Trent Winbush hauled in a 13-yard completion.
Tackle leaders who claimed tackles for losses were Austin Coleman (3), Richard Breaux (2), Trent Winbush, Nicky Faucheaux, Tony Gabriel and Brant Broussard.
The Wolves will hit the road on Friday when they travel to DeQuincy to take on the Tigers. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.