Logos from LHSAA, Cecilia High School, and Opelousas High School
It was a game of destiny this afternoon inside Caesars Superdome as Cecilia, who hasn’t played in the state title since winning it in 1995, met Opelousas, who has never played in the Superdome (first title appearance since 1956). Zack Malveaux had over 100 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdowns as he led the Tigers to their first-ever state championship in a 26-13 victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Bulldogs got the football to start the game, but a defense stop by the Tigers gave Opelousas the ball early on in the contest. On their first possession, Opelousas went down the field in seven plays and 58 yards before their junior quarterback, Zack Malveaux, took off on a 32-yard touchdown run on a read option play to make it 6-0 after a field two-point try.
On the next Opelousas drive, the punt was blocked by Cecilia and the Bulldogs were set up in great field position at the Tigers’ 28-yard line, but another key defensive stand from Jimmy Zachery’s team held the Bulldogs without points.
Moments before the end of the first half, Malveaux again showed off his speed, taking off on a 66-yard touchdown run, but the Tigers would once again fail to convert the two-point play and it was a 12-0 game at the halftime break.
However, Cecilia opened the third quarter in a big way, converting a 3rd down and 22 with a 48-yard touchdown strike from Diesel Solari to Ellis Stewart to make it 12-7 early in the second half.
Opelousas answered right back with a one-yard touchdown run from D’Shaun Ford that was set up by a 50-yard pass play and a 4th and 7 conversion to make it an 18-7 game after three quarters.
Cecilia roared back in the fourth with a 86-yard drive before Solari pushed the pile for a touchdown to make it a 18-13 contest with less than five minutes to go.
Ford tacked on another touchdown with less than two minutes remaining and the two-point conversion made it a 26-13 final score and Opelousas captured their first ever state championship.
BIG NUMBER: 7.3
Opelousas averaged 7.3 yards per play on offense on the way to their first state title, including 291 yards on the ground.
BIG NUMBER II: 1956
This is the first appearance in the state championship game for Opelousas since 1956 and the first inside the Caesars Superdome. With today’s win, it’s also the first title in school history.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Zack Malveaux
Malveaux was electric for Opelousas, throwing for 90 yards on 4-6 passing while adding 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground to lead the Tigers to the state title.