Wildcats Defeat Braves 44-20 – Louisiana High School Football
By Debbie Edwards
If ever there were a high school version of “woulda, coulda, shoulda”, tonight’s game where the H L Bourgeois Braves hosted the 8-0 Destrehan Wildcats is it. Destrehan won the toss and elected to receive. The Braves set the tone early on defense as the Wildcats first running play was stuffed for a 6 yard loss. Adam Scheffler, Kellen Ruffin, and Lester Batiste combined for the stop. Destrehan managed to move the ball, but the Braves missed out on a key interception as it went right through the defenders hands. The Braves’ “bend but don’t break defense managed to hold Destrehan to a field goal, and the Wildcats would hold a 3-0 lead.
Destrehan’s offense resembled a well-oiled machine, as they quickly and methodically scored touchdowns. They seemed to run the ball at will, gaining yards in droves, taking a 44-0 lead into half-time. Destrehan showed why they are the #1 team in 5A.
In the second half, the Braves were determined to narrow Destrehan’s lead. Despite the score, the Braves fought valiantly, showing flashes of brilliance in a 75 yard touchdown strike from Quarterback Todd Atkins to tight end Clarence O’Quinn 6:27 into the 4th quarter. Destrehan lead 44-12. The final touchdown of the game came with 31 seconds left. Adkins connected with Ritney Coleman for 6, and then again with O’Quinn for the 2 point conversion. Final score- Destrehan 44. H L Bourgeois Braves 20.
Despite the outcome, there were many positives that the Braves, coaching staff, and fans can take from the game. This Braves team would not quit. When this young team is able to minimize mistakes, especially against top caliber teams, when the catch the one missed pass that keeps the drive alive, when they hold on to the one interception, when they finish that one tackle for a loss, then their record will show that they are indeed better than their 1-8 record would suggest. It “woulda” been nice to see what the Braves “coulda” done had they taken advantage of the 3 nearly intercepted balls and the 2 “shoulda” been fumbles.
Next week, the Braves hope to turn things around as they take on the 3-6 Terrebonne Tigers.