Wolves return favor with 28-21 win over Tigers

BREAUX BRIDGE - The Rayne High Wolves avenged last season’s close loss to Breaux Bridge by using a strong second half for a 28-21 win.
The win places the Wolves at 3-0 thus far in the early season, a totally different senario of last year’s diappointing year.
“At this point last year, we were in a totally different place than we are right now,” stated Rayne High Head Coach Curt Ware after Friday’s win over the Tigers.
“We lost so many games last year by a few points and a couple of plays; yes, it was very tough. But, I think that’s what’s fueling us this year. They remember what it felt like and want more out of this year.”
The Tigers made the Wolves remember last year early in Friday’s contest as they were the first to draw blood, despite the pouring rain and hour-long game delay due to lightning early on.
Breaux Bridge scored mid-way through the first quarter of play for an early lead. Tigers’ running back Logan Bossier scored from 19 yards out and Bailey Thibodeaux hit the PAT for a 7-0 Tiger lead.
The Wolves answered on their very next drive with long rushing drive capped off with a 10-yard touchdown run by Darien Harmon. The extra point kick by Morgan Manuel split the uprights to tie things up at 7-7 for the start of second quarter of play.
Breaux Bridge returned the favor as Julian Leon hit receiver Blake Hebert, setting up the Tigers inside in the 10-yard line. Bossier punched it in from two yards out and Thibodeaux hit the PAT for a 14-7 Breaux Bridge lead midway through the second quarter.
The explosive second quarter continued for the Wolves as a long drive down the field led by Wolf runners Darien Harmon and Trent Winbush set up a four yard touchdown run by Harmon. The extra point by Manuel knotted things up once again at 14-all with only three minutes remaining in the first half of play.
But, three minutes was all Breaux Bridge needed as Leon found Tyrick Davis for a touchdown pass and a 21-14 lead of what everyone thought was a wrap-up of the first half -- everyone but the Wolves.
Rayne’s Zach Fontenot returned a short Tiger kickoff, giving the Wolves good field position with only seconds remaining in the first half. Seconds was all that Rayne needed for Donald Doucet to find receiver Johnny Deculit who turned on the burn for a 55-yard touchdown. Manuel split the uprights to tie things up at 21-all for the halftime break.
“The second half is where we’ve been kinda dragging so far,” Ware noted of his team’s stepped up play in the second half during Friday’s win. “Our guyssucked it up, played through the rain and mud, and did their job.”
On a Breaux Bridge drive late in the third quarter, Rayne defender Marlon Foreman nabbed an interception, setting up a three-play scoring drive capped off by a TD run by Trent Winbush. The PAT was booted through by Manuel and Rayne took their first lead of the football game.
The Rayne defense showed sparks in the final quarter with a downfield tackles by Jaylon Reed and Tavares Poullard, a deflected pass by Cameron Gibson, and a big Torin Benoit hit for a loss to click down the clock, all while not allowing the Tigers within scoring distance.
However, the Tigers threatened once again, late in the fourth quarter as they worked their way inside the 10 yard line with under three minutes remaining. But, the Rayne defensive line and secondary were in high gear and held the Tigers on the 25 yard line and assume possession with 90 seconds to kill for the win.
Leading the Rayne defense were Zach Fontenot and Tavares Poullard, each with four tackles and four solos.
They were joined with tackles by Torin Benoit, Tyreece Beverly, Antonio Gabriel, Jamian Evans, Christian Svendsen, Marlon Foreman, Darian Richard, Johnny Deculit, Tony Roberts, Jaylon Reed, Canaan Olivier and Carl Davis.
Darien Harmon led the Rayne running game with 122 rushing yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. Trent Winbush was 16 for 60 yards, Johnny Deculit 4 for 16, and Donald Doucet had a three-yard gainer.
Doucet was 2-for-9 in the air for 81 yards. His receivers wereJohnny Deculit (1-55, TD), Trent Winbush (1-27), and Darien Harmon (1-26).
“When you pull ou a win over a good team under these conditions,” Ware continued, “You can’t ask for more. Sure, we have some work to do, every team does. But we’ll appreciate tonight’s win and look to next week.”
The Wolves will try to keep their win-loss tally in check on Friday when they will host DeQuincy High during their homecoming game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Wolf Stadium.