The Lafayette High Mighty Lions were able to pull away from the St. Martinville Tigers in the second half in a 56-29 win on Friday night. The Lions spoiled the homecoming festivities by executing well on offense in a shootout.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Lafayette got the ball first and marched right down the field. However, quarterback Ke’vonte Landry fumbled on a keeper at the St. Martinville 14 yardline, allowing the Tigers to take over.
Louisiana Ragin Cajuns’ commitment Steven Blanco took it over 70 yards for a touchdown on the Tigers’ first drive, but a holding penalty wiped out the impressive run. The penalty caused that drive to stall out and the Tigers punted it away.
Lafayette began with good field position inside of Tiger territory on their next drive. They took advantage, using the ground game to punch in a short touchdown run with Landry. After a failed 2-point conversation, Lafayette led 6-0.
That lead would be short lived, as St. Martinville struck back quickly. A couple of runs from Blanco set up play action, and quarterback Kaden Zenon hit Cullen Charles on a 60 yard touchdown pass to make it 7-6 Tigers.
The offenses were rolling at this point, and the Lions answered with another touchdown drive. Once again it was the ground game leading the way with Landry scoring from 19 yards out. The 2-point conversion was successful this time to make it 14-7 Lions at the end of the first quarter.
After the Lion defense forced a punt, Landry drove them down the field once again. On a 4th and 7 play, he connected with Romelo Joseph down near the goal line. A play later, he went in for his third rushing touchdown of the half to make it 21-7 Lions.
Another Lafayette defensive stop gave them good field position, and Ke’vonte Landry continued his dominant first half. This time he went to the air for his first passing score, finding Elijah Goodie to make it 28-7 Lions.
With the Tigers needing a score, they went to their best playmaker. Blanco had a couple of nice runs, and capped the drive off by catching a swing pass, breaking a few tackles, and getting into the end zone for a St. Martinville score. That cut the lead to 28-14. Lafayette put together a drive but was held on downs before the break, leaving the halftime score at 28-14 Lions.
St. Martinville got the ball to start the second half and put together a great drive to cut the lead to one score. Plenty of yards on the ground helped out and Steven Blanco punched in his second touchdown of the game to cut it to a 28-21 Lafayette High lead early in the third quarter.
The Lions offense answered almost immediately. A long run from Landry set up a big pass play as Landry hit Goodie for their second touchdown connection of the night, making it 36-21 Lions after a successful 2-point conversion.
The Tigers offense continued their effective play, answering with a nice scoring drive. Kaden Zenon had a couple of key completions, and he finishes the drive himself with a touchdown run. After a successful 2-point conversion by Blanco, it was 36-29 Lafayette High.
The offense for Lafayette High needed to keep matching, and they had no issues doing so. Another drive where Landry found Joseph on a passing score got the lead back to two scores at 43-29.
The Tigers next drive ended in a fumble on a backwards screen pass attempt. That gave Lafayette a chance to put this game away. Ke’vonte Landry continued his career night as he found Goodie for their third touchdown connection of the game, making it 50-29 Lafayette High late in the third.
Landry would find Goodie one more time for a touchdown score to make it 56-29 and that is how this game ended with Lafayette High getting a big win.
BIG NUMBER: 85
There were 85 total points scored in this game. That is the exact same amount from last year’s matchup, also won by Lafayette High.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Elijah Goodie
This could have easily also gone to Ke’vonte Landry, who put on a show. However, four receiving touchdowns in one game is not something you see often, so Goodie takes the award this time.
UP NEXT: Lafayette (3-2) will be on the road to face Carencro while St. Martinville (1-4) will stay home to face Erath