Wolves complete district slate on positive note

RAYNE - The Rayne High Wolves finished their regular season slate on a positive note Thursday evening defeating Opelousas High, 58-28.
Despite the final score, the Wolves had their hands full the first half, seeing the game tied at 21-all as the second quarter began.
The Wolves were the first to light up the score board; but, not after a first score, a 48-yard touchdown pass from Jaylon Reed to Troy Breaux, was called back because of an offensive penalty.
From the 48-yard line, John Michael Besse and Deontrey Wilridge combines for a rushing drive with Besse punches it in from the one. Ben Alvarez split the uprights for the extra point and a fast 7-0 Rayne lead.
Opelousas countered with an air attack, a 75-yard touchdown reception from KeAndre Jones to Collins Robert for a Tigers’ score. The point after by Tyler Fruge knotted the score at 7-all midway through the first quarter of play.
On the kickoff, Rayne lost possession on a fumble, giving the Tigers another opportunity to score again in the first quarter -- and that they did.
With three imcomplete passes by Jones, Opelousas decided to hit the ground running with a Collins Robert hitting a seam up the middle for a 51-yard TD run. The point after was good and the Tigers held a shortlived 14-7 lead over the Wolves.
On their very next drive, the high-scoring first quarter saw Rayne knot up the score at 14-all with a 61-yard TD run by Besse.
Opelousas took the lead for the last time in the ballgame during the marathon first quarter as Tiger quarterback KeAndre Jones scored on a 14-yard QB keeper. The extra point placed the Tigers ahead 21-14 for a couple minutes.
With the help of a short kickoff and a defensive penalty by Opelousas, the Wolves found themselves near midfield once again. Reed found Besse for a 59-yard TD pass and the extra point tied the score at 21-all with the end of the first quarter finally arriving.
For the second and third quarters, it was all Rayne High posting 30 points for a 58-21 lead.
Wolves Darien Harmon and Besse ran in touchdowns, Alvarez booted a fieldgoal, and Reed found Donald Doucet for a score before TJ Bearb recovered a fumble for the 51-21 Rayne lead.
The final quarter saw Rayne’s junior varsity crew finish things up with runs by Garon Arceneaux, D.J. Stelly and Trent Winbush from midfield, with Stelly finishing up the scoring drive with a seven-yard TD run. The extra point by Alvarez put Rayne up, 58-21.
In the final three minutes of the night, Jones thre a 35-yard TD pass to Christ Boutte and Fruge booted the extra point for the 58-28 finale.
Of Rayne’s 383 offensive yards, Besse led Wolf rushing with 188 yards on 12 carries. Adding to the rushing stats were Caron Arceneaux, D.J. Stelly, Trent Winbush, Deontrey Wilridge and Donald Doucet.
The Wolves also posted 123 passing yards during the win with six completions including two touchdowns by Jaylon Reed.
Receivers on the night were Garon Arceneaux (2 for 68 yards, 1 TD), John Michael Besse (2 for 30 yards), and Donald Doucet (2 for 25 yards, 1 TD).
Leading tackles and stops for loss were Donavan Cormier, T.J. Bearb, Trent Winbush, Cameron Gibson, Nicky Faucheux, Richard Breaux, Hunter Keely and Desmond Cole.
Jaquan Cormier and John Michel Besse led on ount returns, while Cameron Gibson, Deontrey Wilridge and Devonte Robinson recorded kickoff returns for the Wolves.
Rayne enters the 4-A state playoffs with a 8-2 overall record and a 4-2 district slate, and at the No. 14 seeding. They will host Leesville on Friday during a 7 p.m. contest at Wolf Stadium.