Vermilion Catholic drops a game against Ascension

The Vermilion Catholic Eagles lost a shoot out against the Ascension Episcopal Blue Gators.
When the game ended, the Blue Gators won 40-34 and improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in district.
“We were the underdogs and fought hard all game,” said VC head coach Ossie Blaize. “We matched them and then they got ahead. We got back ahead, but then we made mistakes. In a close game, it comes down to two or three plays. They made those plays and we did not.”
The Eagles were in position to possibly sneak out a victory on their final drive that began at the 50-yard-line with three minutes to play in the game.
With two minutes to play, and the Eagles down to the Gator 41-yard-line, VC quarterback JT Lege was picked off by 6-foot-4 defensive back Roland LeBlanc to end VC’s chances.
It was the not the first time LeBlanc used his height to his advantage. On the night, LeBlanc, who also plays wide receiver, had a easy time catching the football on offense. He had eight catches for 184 yards and scored twice. On the night, he averaged 23 yards a catch.
LeBlanc had a 33-yard TD catch and a 25-yard TD catch with at least two VC defenders guarding him.
“He is 6-4, 6-5 and we just could not go up and play the ball,” said Blaize. “He had a lot catches and his size makes him tough to bring down.”
VC led three different times in the game.
The Eagles went up 14-10 two minutes into the second period when Lege connected with Chris Constintine for a 30-yard touchdown. Cade Boudreaux nailed the extra point for a 14-10 lead.
But Ascension would score 16 quick points in the second quarter and went into the locker room lead 26-14.
The Eagles opened the second half and went 70 yards in 13 plays. Lege connected with four different receivers on the scoring drive.
Alex LeBlanc, a senior, had to carry the load in the backfield because sophomore Kalix Broussard twisted his ankle in the first quarter and would not return into the game.
LeBlanc cut the Gator lead to 26-20 on his 3 yard TD run.
On the Gators’ next possession, VC cornerback Matthew Fontenot had an interception that put spark into VC’s offense.
VC marched 80 yards, mostly through air. VC’s Isaiah Pillette had an 18-yard reception that kept the drive alive. Constintine also had three big-time catches that got VC down to the Gator 10.
LeBlanc ran up the middle 10 yards for a touchdown. Boudreaux made the extra point, and VC led 27-26.
But right back came Ascension’s offense. Within a six minute span, the Blue Gators were back on top, 40-27.
The Eagles did not quit and scored a minute later when Lege found a streaking Gage Broussard up the middle for a 51-yard TD catch with six minutes to play in the game.
On the night, Lege actually had a better night throwing than Ascension quarterback Jake Vascocu. Lege completed 23 out of 40 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns.
Vascocu completed 15-out-of-19 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns.
Five different VC receivers had three catches or more. They were Constintine (6-87), Matthew Fontenot (6-77), LeBlanc (4-24), Gage Broussard (4-89) and Pillette (3-26).
“It was a good game for both teams,” said Blaize. “We showed everyone we are good team and can play with anyone in the district.”