VC too much for St. Mary, blowing them out, 56-19

Living up to their rank, the No. 1 Vermilion Catholic Eagles (12-0) shut down the St. Mary’s Tigers in a 56-19 win to advance them to the semifinals.
The Tigers made the long drive back to Natchitoches after a series of interceptions, fumbles and a stellar VC defense ended their season. It was the first time in 30 years the Tigers had advanced to the quarterfinal round. It was the third straight year for VC to reach the quarters.
The Tigers got the opening kickoff, but a three-and-out forced the punt. The Eagles quickly made their way down the field as Emile Trahan and Mike Campbell pushed their way deep into St. Mary’s territory. Campbell sealed the drive with an eight-yard touchdown.
St. Mary’s ran two plays on their second drive. The first was a short gain for running back Arthur Isaac. The second play, Isaac broke away for a big gain, but a hard hit knocked the ball loose near the endzone, and the Eagles recovered for the touchback.
The Eagles wouldn’t be able to make much of their new drive, with a punt giving it back to the Tigers, who could do little more.
The Eagles’ next drive was more productive as VC quarterback Brennan Gallet connected with Trahan three plays in for a 67-yard touchdown. It was 14-0, with VC edging further and further ahead.
St. Mary’s got on the board after a 33-yard pass from quarterback Tyler McCain connected with Ryan Cunningham to set up a short run for Isaac. The Tigers went for two points, but Isaac was stopped for a loss, leaving the score 14-6.
The next drive, the Eagles answered with a touchdown of their own as Connor Menard had a big reception that was followed up with a shorter one for Trahan. Campbell finished it off with a short touchdown run.
The next drive for St. Mary’s ended with an interception by Tyler Lege. Tyler Derouen caught a big pass to put VC deep into St. Mary’s territory again, and Trahan picked up another touchdown three plays later.
After a Derouen interception on the next drive, the Eagles once again scored as Mike Campbell broke away and ran it in for a 44-yard touchdown.
Not to be outdone, Derouen himself caught a pass for a touchdown. He followed it up with a fumble recovery that he ran back for a touchdown. That left the score at 49-6 at halftime.
After one final touchdown in the second half, the Eagles took their starters out. St. Mary’s would score two more times, but the damage was done as VC won it 56-19.
“We break down the film as a coaching staff tomorrow and figure out what to do next,” head coach Russell Kuhns said after the game. “We had some missed assignments and some things we need to work on.”
Despite those problems, Gallet said the team was successful in its overall goal.
“We knew coming in that our o-line was going to win or lose it for us, and they did what they had to,” he said. “[St. Mary’s is] a good team, and we knew they had some good linebackers, but we took care of the line tonight.”
Derouen, who had a standout night, said the game felt great. “It gives meaning to all the work we put into the season,” he explained. “We’re going to prepare just like every other week. We’re confident we can win again. We have the most confidence we’ve ever had.”
Derouen picked up three turnovers against St. Mary’s. Two were interceptions and the third was the fumble recovery for a touchdown. He also had four catches for 114 yards.
Gallet completed 15 of 19 passes for 331 yards on the night and three touchdowns. The other two touchdown passes went to Trahan, who had six receptions for 146 yards. Campbell had the other four touchdowns, carrying the ball 10 times for 139 yards.
VC’s next opponent is a rematch from last year as Cedar Creek returns to Abbeville for another playoff match-up. Last year, the two teams met at VC a round earlier, but this year the stakes are higher with the winning team going to New Orleans.