Patriots fall to Knights in home opener

Game 1 of the Richard Prejean era at North Vermilion high school, ended with disappointment, as the Patriots fell to the Episcopal of Baton Rouge Knights, 28-20.
The game was a tough and physical contest, that saw the amount of total offense nearly equal, with Episcopal gaining 252yards of offense compared to 229 of North Vermilion.
Marred by mistakes,the Patriots first quarter was a sight for sore eyes. They stumbled out of the gate with a fumble on their first possession of the game, that resulted in a 4-yard touchdown run by Episcopal quarterback D’Armond William.
The Knights stunned the Patriots on the ensuing kickoff with a squib-kick that worked to perfection, giving the Knights great field position at the Patriot 36 yard line. It did not take long for the Knights to capitalize. One play later, William connected with receiver Spencer Kleinpeter for the 36-yard strike. William finished 6-15 for 78 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
On the preceding drive for North Vermilion, they responded with an efficient possession, resulting in a 36-yard field goal by Seth Patin.
The Knights offense drove the ball down field on the next drive, and scored on a 25-yard touchdown scamper by TJ Wisham, balloning the deficit to 18 points for the Patriots, with the score being 21-3 with 59 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
North Vermilion responded with 10 unanswered points before halftime with a 22-yard field goal by Patin, and a 15-yard touchdown pass from Ty Desormeaux to Patin to cut the halftime deficit to 21-13.
“We made too many mistakes early on,” said Prejean. We shot ourselves in the foot turning the ball over early. We just have to make better decisions.”
The Knights added to their lead with 1:09 left in the third quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run by Wisham. Wisham finished the contest with a game-high 135 yards rushing. The drive was fuelded by an Interception by Rashaad Jenkins at the Patriot five yard line.
North Vermilion responded with a methodical 8-play 88 yard drive, capped off by a 50-yard touchdown run by Jordan Windham. Windham finished the night with 117 yards, on only eight attempts.
With the score tight at 28-20, the Patriots relied on their defense to get a stop, and successfully force a punt. With a fourth and four situation facing North Vermilion, an incomplete pass by Desormeaux gave the ball back to the Knights, and essentially ended Prejean’s hopes of earning his first win in his first game as a coach.
“We have to correct a lot of mistakes,” said Prejean. “We mad a lot of mistakes tonight. Offensively, defensively, special teams. Top to bottom, and it starts with me. We’ll get better. We’ll correct some mistakes.”
North Vermilion will have their hands full next Friday, as they travel to face the Rayne Wolves, and Episcopal hosts St. John High School next Friday night.