Early lead fades as Patriots fall to Notre Dame

What started out as a strong game by North Vermilion was quickly turned around by the still-undefeated Notre Dame Pioneers of Crowley, who won 42-3.

In taking an early 3-0 lead over the Pios, the Patriots were hopeful that they could control the momentum of the game. However, it wasn’t meant to be as that 3-0 lead became a 7-3 trailing, which ended up becoming 28-3 before the end of the first half.

“It was 7-3 with a few minutes left in the half,” North Vermilion head coach Tommy Byler said. “We gave up that first touchdown, then they return a put for a touchdown, then they get an interception that sets them up for another. We go from 7-3 to 28-3 in a matter of minutes.”

North Vermilion’s first and only score on the night came within the first minute of the second quarter. Trey Broussard kicked a 51-yard field goal to make the score 3-0.

Notre Dame’s quarterback, Brad Stoma, connected on a 31-yard touchdown pass with Kevin Frank with 5:51 left in the half.

Gavin Bourgeois returned a punt for 61 yards to make it a 14-3 game.

There was a chance for North Vermilion to keep it at a one score game when Terrance Lollis intercepted the ball.

“It was inches away from a pick six,” Byler said. “We couldn’t capitalize on it and it cost us.”

Overall, the Notre Dame defense was “as good as advertised,” Byler said, and the Patriots giving their offense a short field on several drives didn’t help.

“That’s something you can’t do against a team as good as Notre Dame,” Byler said. “We came out and played, did pretty well on defense for the most part, but we couldn’t get anything going on offense. We played well early, but it wasn’t consistent.”

The rushing game couldn’t get going for the Patriots, who had 27 carries for 26 yards. Passing was better, with Ty Desormeaux completing six of 15 passes for 68 yards, though he did give up two interceptions, one of which became a touchdown for Notre Dame.

Trey Broussard led the running game with 14 yards. Seth Patin had the best game receiving, picking up 40 yards in two catches.

The next game is a big rivalry game between the Patriots and Erath’s Bobcats. It’s an intense rivalry, and there is no taking Erath lightly.

“I think we’re going to get the absolute best out of them,” Byler said. “They have a very good team, and I don’t think it will take any extra motivation to get our kids ready for it.”