VC is moving on

The last time these Vermilion Catholic and Central Catholic faced off, Central had a 17-10 lead at halftime, but VC scored 34 points in the second half to win, the first meeting 44-31.

This time around it was all VC, winning by the final score of 34-0

This game was as lopsided as the score might indicate.

In the first half both teams looked stagnate. Neither offense could move the ball and the defenses were playing some of the best football they have played all year.

Central Catholic’s problem in the first half, besides the stellar defence of VC was itself.

The few times in the first half that Central would move down the field it was followed up by a personal foul penalty that would back them up 15 yards.

A perfect example of this was mid way through the second quarter, Tyler Hoffpauir took a handoff and scampered 48 yards down the field to the two yard line.

At the end of the run he was flagged for offensive face mask and was backed up 15 yards.

After the penalty, quarterback Nicholas Case was sacked on back to back plays by defensive linemen Paul Vezeay and Braxton Cessac.

On fourth down Central decided to attempt a field goal, which was missed short.

This was the best scoring opportunity that Central had all night long. The VC defense was smothering.

Going into half time the score was dead locked at zero.

“I told them in the locker room not to worry,” Vermilion Catholic Head Football Coach Russell Kuhns said. “I said we are in a much better situation this time around then we were last time we faced them. Let’s just go out there and play our game.”

Go out there and play their game is exactly what VC did.

Starting running back Mike Campbell returned the second half’s opening kickoff 56 yards down the field to set VC up in its best field positon of the night.

Two plays later quarterback Brennan Gallet connected with Campbell for a 33 yard touchdown pass, to take the lead at 7-0.

After a fumble recovery by Hunter Frith set the VC offense up deep into Central territory, Gallet connected with his record breaking wide receiver Connar Menard for a 15 yard touchdown throw, taking a 14-0 lead.

After a great three and out defensive stand, VC’s offense got its hands back on the ball and this drive ended just like the two before it. With a Gallet pass to Menard for a 24 yard touchdown, giving VC the 21-0 lead.

This score was set up by a Campbell run of 22 yards that should have been stopped for a loss on the play.

The next drive for Central, being down 21-0, was one that was a testament to its will.

Central go the ball and started to make a drive, but just like in the first half, penalties and silly mistakes would be the cause of them losing the ball.

On the fourth drive of the third quarter, VC was finally held to a fourth down situation.

On fourth down coach Kuhns called for a fake punt, and despite the bobbled snap, Campbell was able to take it 12 yards and get the first down.

Three plays later, Gallet would connect with wide receiver Emile Trahan for a 36- yard touchdown pass, giving VC the 28-0 lead.

The third quarter would finally end with the score being 28-0, VC.

Outside of the fact that VC scored 28 unanswered points in the third quarter alone, they scored as many touchdowns in the third quarter as they had drives all of the first half.

The final score would come late in the fourth quarter when Gallet connected with Trahan on a 20-yard touchdown pass to give VC the lead, and final score of 34-0.

“Our kids just came out and showed that they were ready to play,” Kuhns said. “You have to give a lot of credit to the other team (Central Catholic), because that is a good football team. I think our defense came out here and just set the tone early, and that’s why we won this football game.”

The defense did play a spectacular game, allowing only 82 yards of total offense to Central, 41 yards in the air and 41 yards on the ground.

The VC defense also had three turnovers, two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Senior quarterback Brennan Gallet had a good night. He was 11 for 25 with 170 yards passing and five touchdowns.

“It felt good to go out there and play well,” Gallet said. “I have to give all the credit to the offensive line and the rest of my team because it’s easy to perform well when you have the best playing with you.”

Running back Mike Campbell ended the game with good numbers. He had 124 rushing yards on only 17 carriers. Campbell also hauled in two passes for 39 yards and a receiving touchdown.

Connor Menard and Emile Trahan led the way for the wide receivers. Both of them had 60 receiving yards and two touchdowns apiece.

“It was a good team victory,” Kuhns said. “We made all the proper adjustments during half time and then the boys came out and executed. I’m proud of each and every one of them.”

Next up for the VC Screaming Eagles are the St. Mary Tigers from Natchitoches.

The thing that makes this an appealing game besides the fact that it is the quarterfinals of the playoffs, is the head coach of the Tigers is Charlie Cryer, former head coach of VC.

Cryer won a state championship with the Eagles ten years ago in 2003.

Tickets will be on sale this next week at the school for $10.

Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m. this coming Friday night.

Andy Bullard
Sports Editor