Wolves bounce back with big win over Morgan City

MORGAN CITY - Rayne High bounced back in a big way Friday as they collected a 39-14 win over Morgan City High School.

“I think we played well tonight,” stated Rayne High Head Coach Curt Ware on Friday’s win over Morgan City. “We had a couple key players out with injuries, but we had a few people step in and play well.”

Rayne’s offense collected 323 total offensive yards on 52 plays for the non-district win. The Wolves leaned on their running game this week as quarterback Jaylon Reed was out with a concussion sustained during last week’s hard-fought loss to LaGrange, their first of the season.

Donald Doucet stepped into the quarterback slot and recorded two completions of four attempts for 34 yards and a touchdown.

Rayne receivers were Trevon Fontenot (2-for-34 yards,1 TD) and Ian Meche (1 reception).

“We kept things very basic,” noted Ware of Rayne’s offense on the night. “T-June” (Doucet) did a good job stepping in at quarterback with a few minor mistakes. He managed the offense and we ran the ball well.”

Leading Rayne’s 289 rushing yards was Deontrey Wilridge with 13 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown, followed by Javon Cormier (9-100, 1 TD), John Michael Besse (13-70, 2 TD’s), and Trent Win bush (2-5).

The Rayne scoring began early on in the ballgame with a 51-yard touchdown run by Javon Cormier. An extra point by Doucet had the Wolves up 7-0 at the nine minute mark of the first quarter.

A short punt gave Rayne good field position on their very next possession, leading to an 18-yard TD run by John Michael Besse, extending Rayne’s lead to 13-0.

When Morgan City attempted an air attack on their following possession, Hunter Keely nabbed an interception and placed Rayne past midfield. Besse scored his second touchdown of the night and Doucet split the uprights for a 20-0 Rayne lead with the start of the second quarter.

The Wolves recovered a Morgan City fumble inside the red zone; after which, Doucet ran in another Rayne score and a 26-0 Rayne lead with only seconds remaining. But, that was enough time for the Wolves to recover another Morgan City fumble and score on a 22-yard TD pass from Doucet to Trevon Fontenot to close out the first half of play with a 32-0 lead.

Morgan City opened the third quarter of play with a 21-yard TD run by Jacolbi Francois. The point after ut the Rayne lead at 32-7 mid-way through the stanza.

The Wolves answered with a 45-yard TD run by Deontrey Wilridge. Ben Alvarez booted the extra point to extend the Rayne lead to 39-7.

The final points of the game came late in the third quarter when Morgan City’s Kevon Marsh returned a 78-yard kickoff for a touchdown followed by the extra point and the 39-14 Rayne win.

Morgan City was held to 60 offensive yards by a stingy Rayne defense.

Leading Rayne’s defensive stats was Jaquan Cormier with 4.5 tackles and 4 solos, followed by Donavon Cormier (2.5, 1), Richard Breaux (2.5, 1), Desmond Cole , Cameron Gibson and Nicky Faucheux (3), Hunter Keely (1.5, 1, 1 int), Haven Doucet (2, 1 int), and Devonte Robinson, Todd Broussard, John Michael Besse, Grant Abshire and Antonio Gabrielle each with two.

The Wolves will travel to Eunice this week where they will meet Eunice High in a district contest Friday evening.

“We always have opportunities when we play them (Eunice)” stated Ware of this week’s district game at Eunice High. “This comes at an important time in the season and we are working on a few things to get ready for Friday.”

Even though Acadia Parish teams are slated to play on Rice Festival Thursday, Eunice High will host the Wolves Friday since the Bobcats are the hosting team.

“When it comes to additional things going on during the school week like Homecoming or Rice festival, players are out of their routine and it throws them off,” commented Ware of no school on Friday due to the Rice festival. 

“Hopefully, that doesn’t effect them too much and we can pull out the win.”