It wasn’t the cleanest game, but the meeting between defending state champions, Acadiana and Lafayette Christian Academy, lived up to the billing.
The game wasn’t decided until LCA blocked Aidan Richard’s extra point attempt with 1:43 remaining. Acadiana failed to recover an onside kick, and the Knights were able to hold on for a 14-13 victory.
Acadiana trailed throughout the second half, struggling for the third consecutive week to find an offensive rhythm.
Down 14-7, and facing fourth and 16 from the LCA 46-yard line, quarterback Ayden Trahan found a receiver streaking down the right sideline, hitting him stride and getting the Wreckin’ Rams down inside five yard line. Acadiana had the ball, first and goal, with under two minutes to play.
Two snaps later, Acadiana punched it in, putting themselves in position to tie or possibly win the game with a two point conversion.
The Wreckin’ Rams sent the offense out for the conversion. After the Knights jumped offsides, Acadiana was set up to steal the victory.
Fortunes reversed moments later, with Acadiana getting called for a false start that sent them backwards and set up the failed extra point attempt.
It was a tough loss the for the Wreckin’ Rams, their second in a row after defeating Carencro to start the season.
“I thought we competed well,” said AHS head coach Matt McCullough. “I thought we messed a few assignments up early. (LCA) did a good job of keeping the ball away a little bit, and kinda tiring our defense in the second half, but I thought we competed well, made a big play there at the end and gave us a chance to win the game.”
Lafayette Christian made a number of mistakes on its own that helped keep the Rams in the ball game. The Knights turned the ball over three times, and missed two field goals, including a 35-yarder with 5:50 remaining that could have closed the door on any comeback opportunity.
Acadiana opened the scoring after the game’s first turnover. Desmond Chaisson picked off JuJuan Johnson’s pass, setting the Rams up with first and 10 from the Knights’ 20 yard line.
Keven Williams would run it in from 11 yards out, and the extra point made it 7-0 Acadiana. It was the Rams’ first offensive score since the second quarter of their season opener.
LCA would respond just before the half, going on an impressive drive that ended with Johnson keeping it for a three yard touchdown run, that sent the teams into the locker room tied at seven.
The Knights were driving to start the third quarter; taking the ball deep into Acadiana territory. But the Rams came up with their second pick of Johnson, and taking over at their own 10 yard line.
After going three-and-out, Acadiana shanked the punt, giving Lafayette Christian the ball at the Wreckin’ Rams 33 yard line.
Two plays later, Dudley Jackson scored from one yard out. The Knights took a 14-7 advantage, and set up the furious finish.
LCA improved to 3-0 and will visit St. Helena College and Career Academy before hosting Catholic-BR. Catholic blanked Acadiana 20-0 in Week 2.
The Knights plan on keeping the formula for success very simple.
“Play our game, do what we do,” said Johnson. “We’re LCA. We work for this every day.”
Acadiana (1-2) will get back to work at home next week against Sulphur in its District 3 5-A opener.