St. Louis gets by Wolves, 27-19

LAKE CHARLES - The final score of a football game can be deceiving at times, especially Rayne High’s 27-19 loss to St. Louis Friday night.
Despite the eight-point loss, the Wolves were basically two plays from claiming a win, but just came up short once again.
“I can’t stress enough to our guys that they are playing better,” stated Rayne High Head Coach Curt Ware of Friday’s close football game at St. Louis. (Two plays....you take those two plays and we win the ballgame.”
The two plays Ware was speaking of was a blocked punt recovered by St. Louis for a score early on, and a dropped pass in the endzone during the final minutes.
“I guess when you’re kids like these guys,” Ware continued, “it’s hard to understand that that you played well unless you walk away with a win. But, they did play well and are getting better. They have to believe that as the season continues.”
Rayne’s night began on a high note as Darien Harmon hit a seam up the middle for a 76-yard touchdown during the Wolves’ very first drive of the ballgame. The point after was good by Donald Doucet and Rayne held a 7-0 lead.
But, with only seconds remaining in the first quarter, the Saints blocked a punt which was recovered by Joseph Bang who ran it in for the score. The extra point was wide and Rayne held a slim 7-6 lead heading into the second quarter of play.
“They’re called special teams for a reason,” stated Ware when speaking of the blocked punt. “A team like this comes at you in every aspect of the game. And, when your special teams get things done, it ignites the other aspects of your ballclub.”
The only score of the second quarter came on a rushed throw by Rayne quarterback Jaylon Reed while slipping away from two defenders. St. Louis’ Jaymon Levy was at the right place at the right time for the interception and ran in a 20-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion failed and the Saints took a 12-7 lead as the first half came to a close.
The Wolves recharged their batteries to begin the second half as a 74-yard drive saw runs by Trent Winbush and Darien Harmon set up a four-yard touchdown quarterback keeper by Jaylon Reed for a Rayne score. The extra point was wide and the Wolves were again on top with a slim 13-12 lead.
St. Louis opened the fourth quarter of play with a 53-yard drive resulting in a 14-yard touchdown run by rushing leader Colby Rodriguez, who turned in 175 yards for the Saints on 23 carries. The conversion was completed for two and St. Louis regained the lead 20-13 with over nine minutes remaining in the ballgame.
But, Rayne was not giving up yet.
Reed found Zach Fontenot for a 33-yard completion and a couple of runs later, the Wolves touched the endzone again with a touchdown run by Darien Harmon. The two-point conversion for the win was close but incomplete as the Wolves trailed 20-19 with three minutes remaining in the contest.
Those three minutes tick-tocked quickly for the Wolves as the Saints added another score, a 70-yard touchdown run by Colby Rodriguez, plus the extra point for the 27-19 finale.
Total offense by both teams was almost identical, Wolves 266 and Saints 244, with a couple of key plays making the difference in the ballgame.
Rayne rushing was led by Darien Harmon with 19 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns. Trent Winbush had nine carries for 30 yards, Drekylon Gibson was six for 24 yards before a second quarter injury sidelined him for the game, along with Jaylon Reed with seven yards and a touchdown.
“We had some new guys in there for a while due to injuries,” noted Ware when discussing offense. “I hope we can get our guys back to par soon so we can run our full offense.”
Reed was 4-for-12 passes to receivers Zach Fontenot, Austin Coleman, Drekylon Gibson and Devonte Robinson.
Defensively, Nicky Faucheaux led tackles with five solos and four assists. Austin Coleman, Tony Gabriel and Trent Winbush recorded tackles for loss, while Devonte Robinson nabbed an interception.
Completing the Rayne defensive plays were Brant Broussard, Darien Harmon, Jaymee Gibson, Donald Doucet, Richard Breaux, Torin Benoit and Carl Davis.
The Wolves will host Breaux Bridge on Friday when they complete Homecoming Week. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.