Iota outlasts Lake Arthur

CROWLEY – In order for the Crowley Gents to win their first game of the season Friday, CHS coach Josh Fontenot knew his squad would have to protect the football.
That was something they were unable to do the first two weeks of the season.
Week 3 proved to be different despite playing on a field made sloppy by heavy rains prior to the contest.
Friday night, the Gents cleaned things up.
Not only did they not turn the ball over, they had five takeaways and the end result was a much-needed 18-13 victory.
“It’s easy, don’t turn it over,” said a relieved Fontenot, whose team had nine turnovers in the first two games. “We worked on protecting the ball all week and the kids bought into.”
The victory, even with the takeaways wasn’t an easy one, however.
The Gents forged a 12-0 lead by the half, but in doing so, they lost starting quarterback Paul Dugar with what was described as a possible concussion.
And he wasn’t the only player to go down.
Receiver Rapheus Joseph also went down - knee injury - although he was able to return in the second half. And punter/defensive back Wyatt Stelly suffered what could be a possible ACL/MCL injury.
The Gents already had three key starters out in Jardell Delco, Logan Campbell and Markel Domino.
“This was a huge win,” said Fontenot. “I told the kids this is the biggest one (victory) I’ve ever had, just because of the situation and the heart and all that stuff. There’s a lot of ways to lay down and die, but they didn’t and I’m so proud of them.”
One player in particular that pleased Fontenot was freshman Marquis Garrett, who stepped in for Dugar at quarterback in the second half.
Garrett didn’t put up outstanding numbers in his first two quarters of varsity action under center, but his poise and confidence showed as he helped lead the Gents to the eventual game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.
“The stats aren’t going to show it but Marquis, I thought, did great,” said Fontenot. “With the field the way it was, you couldn’t have picked a worse night for a freshman quarterback to have to play But he handled it great.”
Garrett wasn’t the only player to earn praises from Fontenot.
Hard-nosed running back Keith Wilson had his best game yet, rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.
Wilson broke through Cecilia’s line in the first quarter, hit the sideline and then broke two tackles inside the red zone to score the first touchdown of the game from 46 yards out in the first quarter.
Then, with the Gents leading 12-7, Wilson racked up 64 yards on five carries during a 5-play, 71-yard drive, and capped it with a two-yard touchdown run with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
That put Crowley up for good, 18-13.
“That little booger is tough; you won’t find a tougher kid,” said Fontenot of Wilson. “And he’s mean and tough and I love him to death.
“The offensive line gave him a little crease and when they do that, he can make things happen.”
Prior to that eventual game-winning drive, the Gents had logged just 13 yards in the second half.
Cecilia simply wouldn’t go away.
After Wilson’s touchdown run, Noah Livings took the ensuing kickoff 78 yards for a touchdown and just like that, the Gents’ lead was cut to 18-13 with 6:07 left in the game.
The Gents found themselves in trouble less than three minutes later when a bad snap on a punt turned the ball over on downs at their own 38 yard line.
Crowley’s defense stood tall tough and forced the Bulldogs to turn it right back over on downs after managing just six yards on four plays.
Crowley punted once more with 11 seconds left and Cecilia had two shots through the air from near midfield but Corey Williams final heave with four seconds remaining was intercepted by Jalean Jenkings to end the game.
Jordan Mouton also had an interception for the Gents in the first half and Desmond Harmon logged a handful of tackles, including a pair of sacks.
“If you had to give a game ball, it would go to every kid on the defense,” said Fontenot. “Those guys were just lights out. We kind of stopped their screen game, which is a big thing for them, and our defensive line play was phenomenal.”
Cecilia was held in check for most of the night, managing just 85 yards in the first half, most of which came on one drive that resulted in a fumble in the red zone.
The Bulldogs’ biggest play of then night was a 31-yard burst by Darius Flenaugh during that drive.
“We talked about playing small, which for us means looking at what you’re supposed to look at and we did that tonight,” said Fontenot. “We gave up one big play, but they (Cecilia) are good. That’s some great receivers and a great quarterback so for us to give up one (big play), that’s pretty good.”
Cecilia finished with 194 total yards of offense and nine first downs.
Flenaugh led the Bulldogs with 12 carries for 74 yards while Williams picked up 26 yards on 16 carries.
Williams also completed four passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. His main target was Livings who had three receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown.
Williams was the leading back for the Gents while Jai’Rece Lewis had four carries for 19 yards. Dugar picked up 12 yards on 14 carries before exiting the game.
Dugar also completed four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown while Garrett completed one for six yards.
Joseph had one reception for 37 yards; Garrett had one for 11 and Xavier Johnson hauled in two passes for nine yards. Chris Lewis also had one catch for two yards.
The Gents’ performance, considering the circumstances, was impressive.
“All around, I’m very proud,” said Fontenot, whose team plays host to Eunice next Friday in the Gents’ Homecoming game. “Hopefully this kicks us off. But we have to get healthy.”