VC Eagles fall to OC in jamboree

LAFAYETTE – The Vermilion Catholic Screamin’ Eagles have work to do – nothing that can't be addressed, but work to do nonetheless – after dropping a 12-6 decision to Opelousas Catholic on Thursday in the Kiwanis Football Jamboree.
VC humbled four playoff opponents by a combined 186-45 to capture the LHSAA Division IV state title last season, but lost 14 starters off of that squad including quarterback Brennan Gallet.
It takes time to regain efficiency and rhythm with that kind of turnover.
Junior linebacker Hunter Frith had the first shot at filling Gallet's shoes, taking the season's initial snaps with one knee heavily braced, then took a hit on the knee in the Kiwanis event and was shelved for the evening.
Before he left, Frith's fourth pass was tipped into the hands of Justin Tate, who weaved his way 74 yards to a touchdown with the Pick-six. Two passes later, Frith was done.
An aggressive OCHS defense, which returned 10 starters compared to VC's two offensive returnees, kept the heat on throughout the game.
Senior safety Tyler Derouen filled in for Frith, but couldn't generate an attack only throwing one pass in his short stint at quarterback.
Only after the Vikings made it 12-0 on a short-field drive capped off with a Kane Armand seven yard score with 4:16 to play did the Eagles respond.
Sophomore Gage Trahan, who showed growing poise under intense defensive pressure, eluded the pass rush and launched an out-and-up aerial to Derouen that carried 76 yards to the OC 12-yard line.
Junior running back Chris Campbell scored two snaps later from the 6, drawing the Eagles within one score with 3:06 remaining despite their previous woes.
They got the ball back at their 48-yard line with 1:35 to play, but Trahan was swarmed three times by the relentless pass rush to end the game.
Coach Russell Kuhns had a long huddle with his coaching staff after the contest before boarding the team bus. If nothing else, the jamboree served to highlight areas of concentration moving forward.
VC has found a prospect in Trahan, who managed to hit 4-of-9 passes for 89 yards while running for his life. Frith and Derouen are more experienced performers, but Trahan showed promise.
In fact, Trahan has overcome hurdles to be viewed as a viable heir to the VC offense. First, he survived serious illness while the Eagles were marching to the 2013 state title. He then had to prove that he is not too small for the job, even though Gallet was also undersized.
Given time, Trahan showed he can deliver.
Campbell was used sparingly with five carries netting 24 yards. He will, of course, be a major weapon moving forward into the regular season and will play a vital role in dialing down the heat on the VC quarterbacks.
A larger concern could be Frith's knee. He is one of VC's defensive leaders and his recovery will be critical to another playoff run.
The regular season begins Friday against Catholic High-New Iberia, a 20-17 loser to VC in last year's season opener (the closest anyone came to the Eagles in 2013), so this week will be a focused one.