Kaplan knocks off VC

Kaplan head coach Stephen Lotief’s game plan worked to perfection against the Vermilion Catholic Eagles.
The plan was to keep VC’s potent offense off the field as much as possible.
The Pirates did exactly that and won 32-15.
In the second half, the Eagles were only allowed three first downs and a total of 74 second half yards.
The main reason VC had so little yards is because Kaplan’s offense stayed on the field most of the second half.
“We did well. We did exactly what we wanted,” said KHS head coach Stephen Lotief. “Our offense stayed on the field. We kept theirs on the sideline. We got behind but we did not panic. Defense bent, but they did not break.”
The Pirates ran for a season-high 280 yards.
In the first half, Kaplan ran for 164 yards and in the second half, 120 yards.
The one-two punch of Grant Frick and Julius Johnson did all of the work on the ground.
Johnson rushed for 150 yards on 30 carries while Frick had 118 yards
Johnson, coming off a 1,600 yard rushing season last year, thanked his offensive line and God for the night he had.
“It is our offensive line that did all the work,” said Johnson. “We do not do anything special. When they do their thing, we are able to do our thing.
“It is all about God first. We take our steps by God first.”
Johnson had 81 yards in the first half, while Frick had 60.
Coach Lotief also praised his offensive line for opening the holes for two his running backs and quarterback Jade Herpin.
“They did their job tonight,” Lotief added.
Kaplan’s offensive line consist of center CJ Crochet, guards Jerrick Romero and Gage Morvant, tackles, Hunter Vincent and Gabe Briolo, coupled with tight ends Jaise Meche, John Gordy Broussard and D’Angelo Martin.
VC held a 13-12 lead at halftime.
On VC’s opening second half drive, things went from bad to worse. After only gaining two yards in three plays, the Eagles went to punt for the first time in the game. However, on the snap the punter had to go low to catch the football, and by accident, his knee touched the ground.
Kaplan took over on VC’s 11 yard line. On the first play, Frick scored a touchdown to make it 18-13.
VC went four plays and punt on its next series.
On VC’s third series in the second half, VC quarterback Hunter Frith was intercepted by Kaplan’s Martin intercepted a tipped ball on the VC 26.
Johnson had carries of 11, 6 and 9 yards and he was in the end zone for a convincing 24-13.
Kaplan scored another rushing touchdown on quarterback’s Jade Herpin’s 2-yard run.
It was the seventh time the two teams have played each other over the last 50 years with Kaplan now winning six out of the last seven.