Trojans win district opener over Tigers

VILLE PLATTE -- Sacred Heart put on a masterful display of blocking and running, as they pounded the winless Jeanerette 62-12, scoring in every quarter, to win their District 5-2A opener.
Behind a single-wing offense that amassed more than 500 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, more than half of it on the quick running of Julien Vidrine, Sacred Heart scored every time it had the ball in the first half.
Next week, Sacred Heart (2-2) travels to Opelousas Catholic to face the Vikings (2-2), who lost their district opener to Notre Dame. The game will be played Thursday evening.
Jeanerette tried to pack nine and ten men in the defensive box to stop the Trojans. The key against the Tigers was disciplined line blocking, coupled with quick running backs who adjusted to the holes. Once the running backs broke past the line of scrimmage, the defensive secondary was wide open for long runs.
Although a variety of Trojans usually end up running the ball, it was Vidrine’s night to shine against Jeanerette. The junior was adept at following his blockers on the trap, making one or two defenders miss, and turning upfield.
Vidrine rushed for 261 yards and two scores. He averaged nearly 22 yards-per-carry.
Two other Trojan senior runners also had big nights. Jacob Luke Lafleur had 75 yards and two scores, while Garrick Fontenot had 71 yards and a touchdown.
Meanwhile, kicker Alec Gotro continued to impress in the special teams. The freshman, who had never kicked before a few weeks ago, made eight of nine extra point attempts. Last week, Gotro was five of six on point-after-tries.
In addition, running with the second-team offense in the fourth quarter, Gotro scored on a 36-yard run.
Jeanerette was paced by Ahmed Mitchell, who led all rushers with a whopping 317 yards and two touchdowns. The tireless workhorse carried the ball 31 times, for an average of more than ten yards-per-carry.
Sacred Heart took an early lead, with Vidrine scoring on a 25-yard run at the nine minute mark in the first quarter. Gotro’s kick made it 7-0.
The Tigers responded on the next drive, with Mitchell also going 25 yards for the score. The PAT failed, cutting the lead to 7-6.
The Trojans, however, expanded their advantage, scoring two more times in the first quarter. Lafleur bolted around the right side on a 48-yard score. Gotro made it 14-6.
Then defensive back Daniel Scully intercepted a Tiger pass, setting Sacred Heart up for another scoring drive. This time Sam Tuminaro tossed a nine-yard pass to tight end Seth Shipp. Gotro’s extra point up Sacred Heart up 21-6.
Jeanerette clawed right back, scoring with just 13 seconds left in the opening quarter. This time Mitchell raced 64 yards to cut the lead to 21-12. The PAT failed again, and Jeanerette would not score any more.
Sacred Heart simply put its foot on the gas, scoring three more times before the half. Gotro made all three PATs.
Following Mitchell’s second touchdown, Lafleur scored on a four-yard jaunt up the middle.
Then Vidrine used some defense to help his offense, as he snared an interception at midfield. Tuminaro capped the next drive with a one-yard quarterback keeper.
Sacred Heart forced a turnover on downs, and Vidrine scored on the very next play: a beautiful 61-yard run. He started left, but cut back across to the middle where there was plenty of green grass between himself and the end zone.
At half, Sacred Heart’s lead was insurmountable, 42-12.
The second half saw the Trojans put up three scores on the board.
JT Harper scored on a 25-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. The extra point was good and the Trojans led 49-12.
Two fourth quarter scores, an eight-yard run from Garrick Fontenot and a 36-yard run from Alec Gotro put the final touches on the route.