Ville Platte falls late to Opelousas, 7-6, in non-district game

VILLE PLATTE - The Ville Platte Bulldogs dropped a heartbreaking homecoming loss, 7-6, to the Opelousas Tigers Friday evening.
Despite a stellar defensive performance for more than 90 percent of the game, Ville Platte gave up three huge penalties in the final Tiger drive that led to the Opelousas score with less than four minutes to play.
With neither offense seeming to be able to get much traction, the game was obviously going to be a nail-biter, with no room for error.
After playing to a scoreless draw in the first half, Ville Platte came out of the locker room with a pep and determination that paid dividends. After recovering a fumbled Tiger punt return, Doucet reeled off a 69 yard run, down to the Tiger two-yard line.
Sophomore Brandon Veazie scored on the next play. However, the Bulldogs missed the extra point try, putting them up 6-0.
The next two possessions for both teams played out exactly like the first half, with neither team being able to pick up a first down.
With just over eight minutes left in the game, Opelousas began its last drive near midfield.
On the fateful drive, Ville Platte would commit four penalties, including one on fourth down that gave new life to Opelousas.
The Tigers were able to move the ball down to the Bulldog 26-yardline. Ville Platte’s defense tightened up, with Jones racking up another key tackle-for- loss on third down.
Facing fourth and 11 with less than four minutes to play, Opelousas decided to try to pick up the first down instead of punting. On the play, Tiger quarterback Quincy Leday lofted a pass downfield.
The pass was off-target, but the Bulldog defender pushed the receiver in the back, giving the Tigers new life with a first down on the 12-yardline.
On the next play, Jones blew up the Tiger offensive line, making a tackle for a loss.
However, two Bulldogs were then penalized for two dead-ball personal fouls, which set Opelousas up on the Ville Platte four-yard line. Tailback Shawn Charles scored on the next play. Place kicker Ziontre Charles nailed the extra point, giving the Tigers the 7-6 lead.
Despite not having much offensive success all night, Ville Platte still had an opportunity with three-and-a-half minutes left. And, it seemed like they just might be able to pull it off.
On second down, Doucet found Rondrekus Ben downfield for a 37-yard pass, setting Ville Platte up at the Tiger 21-yardline. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs couldn’t move the ball any further, and the game ended with Opelousas getting the razor-thin victory.
Ville Platte is 3-2 heading into the first district game at Eunice next week. Both losses were by just one point. Opelousas, celebrating its first victory, will travel to Carencro.
After the game, Bulldog head coach Jorie Randle lamented his team’s lack of composure at the end.
“Penalties,” he said. “Those penalties really killed us. It was a questionable call on the pass interference, but there is no excuse for the penalties that followed. We needed some seniorleadership out there at that moment, and the discipline to focus on the task at hand.
“We played lights out defensively for three-and- a-half quarters, but when the heat was on, we lost our composure.”