Trojans make short work of Hurricanes

Sacred Heart opened District 5-1A play by efficiently handling the woefully undermanned North Central Hurricanes Friday night, 40-6, to win their third game in a row.
Next week, the 3-2 Trojans host winless False River for homecoming.
North Central falls to 1-5 on the season. The Hurricanes only dressed out 14 players for the game against Sacred Heart.
The Trojans were expected to win the lopsided contest, and they didn’t disappoint their fans, who had to hide from rain under umbrellas and ponchos for most of the game.
Luckily, the game clock didn’t stop much, as both coaches agreed to play almost all of the game under “running time” conditions.
With star utility player Ellis Parrott sidelined with a hip pointer, Sacred Heart Head Coach Doug Guillory was able to use the opportunity to give other receivers a chance to work on their timing and catching.
“As we look down the stretch, we need to develop more offensive threats,” Guillory noted after the game.  “Tonight, we had a chance to throw the ball to a few more players, to give them a look.”
The verdict?
“They played well,” Guillory said. “There were a couple of miscues, a couple of missed opportunities, but tonight showed that we have other options in our receiving corps.
“As for the mistakes, they were easy to fix,” he continued. “We’ll be able to work on that in practice. This was a good game to learn from.”
One player who showed development was senior quarterback Wesley Fontenot. The first-year starter continues to impress Guillory.
Fontenot completed 11-of-16 passes for 149 yards and five touchdowns. He hit eight different receivers.
“Wesley has come so far in such a short time,” Guillory praised.  “He’s getting better every week. I told him that if he could have one more year of eligibility, he would be All-State next year.
“But, it is what it is.  We’re glad we’ve got him right now.”
Friday night’s offensive output marks the second time in three weeks the Trojans have scored 40 points. After scoring just six total points in its first two games (both losses), over its current three-game winning streak, Sacred Heart has put up 110 points.
While the offense was polishing up its act, the Trojan defense continued to play well, as it has since the first game of the season.
Sacred Heart’s defense held North Central to minus-seven yards rushing. The Trojans intercepted three Hurricane passes, made three fumble recoveries, and recovered a muffed kickoff return.
“Our defense has played really well all year long,” Guillory assessed, “even in the losses to Basile and O.C. They’re strong and aggressive, but they play their assignments.
“Now that the offense is starting to come around, I like the way the whole team is developing,” Guillory continued. “I really believe that when the playoffs come, we’ll be a team to be reckoned with.”
Following his 19-yard run, Dylan Scully opened up the scoring for Sacred Heart in the first quarter on a six-yard reception. Drake Doucet nailed the point-after-try, and the Trojans led, 7-0.
On the ensuing kickoff, North Central misplayed the kick, and a Trojan defender recovered the ball.
Two plays later, Sacred Heart scored on a 32-yard catch by Mikey Laughlin. Doucet’s PAT pushed the lead to 14-0.
The Trojan defense forced a turnover on downs, giving their offense the ball back on the Hurricane 30-yardline as the first quarter was rapidly drawing to a close.
Sacred Heart moved down the field on an 11-yard Grant Manuel rush and a 13-yard catch by Johnathan Fontenot.  Brad Fontenot capped the scoring drive with a six-yard rush on the opening play of the second quarter.
Once again, Doucet was perfect on the extra point kick, and the Trojans were clearly in command, 21-0.
On the Hurricane’s next drive, Jacob McClelland picked off a pass, giving the ball right back to Sacred Heart.
On the following drive, however, the Trojans fumbled the ball, and a Hurricane defender collected the pigskin for a 50-yard “scoop-and-score.” The two-point try failed, but North Central was on the board, 21-6.
Sacred Heart had one more chance to score before halftime. However, an interception on the goal line killed the drive.
“Wesley did a great job on that pass,” Guillory said. “He was throwing to our receiver’s back shoulder, and he placed the ball right where it had to be.
“The defender read the pass and made a good play,” he continued. “However, our receivers have to learn to be aggressive right there, and fight for the ball.”
Scully intercepted a Hurricane pass, returning it 40 yards, to run out the clock on the first half.
The second half saw the Trojans convert three straight turnovers into three straight touchdowns.
On the second play of the third quarter, a Hurricane running back was popped hard, sending the ball into the air, right into the arms of Brad Fontenot.
On the next play, first-and-goal from the nine-yardline, Fontenot hit Seth Shipp for the score. The PAT kick failed, and Sacred Heart led 27-6.
North Central’s second drive of the second half was killed by a turnover, too.  This time Laughlin picked off the pass.
Sacred Heart scored three plays later. The key play on the scoring drive was Sam Tuminaro’s 32-yard reception that went down to the eight-yard line.
Fontenot hit Garrick Fontenot on the scoring play, and Doucet made the extra point, putting Sacred Heart up 34-6.
For the third time in a row, North Central turned over the ball, this time a fumble to start the fourth quarter. The Trojans recovered on the Hurricane 20-yardline.
A fifth Trojan receiver, Philip Vidrine, made the 16-yard scoring grab. Although the PAT failed, the Trojans were celebrating the 40-6 score.