Two weeks after the Acadiana Wreckin’ Rams were able to squeak out a 27-26 win over the Carencro Golden Bears, both District 3-5A rivals had to meet each other once more for the right to go and play in the Division I (Select) Quarterfinals.
For the second time, Acadiana was able to get the better of Carencro by winning a low scoring, 14-7 defensive struggle.
“In the first half, we didn’t play well offensively. They gave us a front we haven’t seen and we missed a few blocks, but I thought we came back, made adjustments in the second half and played well offensively. We played well defensively the entire game. I think they only had 17 total yards. I thought we played well defensively the whole night and offensively, we adjusted and got two big scores to win the game.”
Acadiana HC Matt McCullough
For majority of the first half, neither offense was able to maintain any rhythm as a couple of punts and defensive stops on fourth down halted drives, but the Golden Bears’ offense was finally able to break the scoreless tie with a quarterback sneak by Chantz Babineaux to put Carencro up 7-0 at halftime.
However, that was the only scoring mustered by Carencro as their usually prolific offense that has been averaging close to 54 points per game was shut down by Acadiana’s stifling defense.
After having close to 200 yards of offense in the first half, Carencro was only held to 14 total yards in the second half.
“It’s extremely impressive. That’s a team that scored over 50 points against Shaw, scored over 50 points against Pineville, and 49 points against Sam Houston. We played extremely well on defense against a good offensive football team. Besides that last drive in the first half, we didn’t give up many first downs. I thought we played well in the first half and extremely well in the second half.”
Acadiana HC Matt McCullough on the defense’s impressive performance
While Acadiana’s defense led by Texas A&M five-star defensive lineman commit Dominick McKinley was putting on an impressive show by slowing down Babineaux, Cashmire Batiste, Kameron Cyprien, and company, the offense was doing just enough by controlling the clock and getting timely plays when needed.
Carencro’s defense did a fairly good job on not giving up any big runs throughout the game, but it was the brother connection of Caden and Collin DiBetta that sparked the offense as a 23-yard touchdown broke the Wreckin’ Rams’ scoring streak in the third quarter by tying the game at seven.
“I love both of the DiBetta boys. I love Collin. He is young and he is a spark plug. He just ignites huge plays for us. Caden is our leader. We always have to follow behind him because he is the general of our team. I love them both.”
Acadiana 2024 OL Jackson Hammond
Acadiana would score the go-ahead touchdown late in the game with a touchdown plunge by running back Ezekiel Hypolite to make it 14-7 with 3:37 left.
“It’s always good to see our running backs have success as an offensive lineman because they make big plays, cutting off your blocks and truly it feels amazing because the season comes down to this point. It was the big momentum spark we needed.”
Acadiana 2024 OL Jackson Hammond
Like it has done throughout the entire night, the Acadiana defense forced a turnover on fourth down to help run out the clock and give Matt McCullough’s squad a punched ticket to New Orleans next week where they will face the number one seed Holy Cross Tigers in the Division I (Select) Quarterfinals.
“They are really explosive on offense. They got some good receivers, a seasoned quarterback, a good running back. We’ve seen a little bit of them on film. Defensively, they play hard. They are the number one seed. It’s going to be a battle. Our guys will enjoy this one and we will get back to work. Our guys understand that is win and advance. They don’t want their season to end here so we are in the Quarterfinals and we want to go to the Semifinals. We just have to prepare hard this week.”
Acadiana Head Coach Matt McCullough
Scrimmage Week: Zachary vs. E.D. White, East Ascension vs. Hammond
Jamboree Week: Battle on the Ridge, Newman Jamboree
Week 1: U-High vs. Woodlawn
Week 2: Madison Prep vs. Southern Lab
Week 3: Southside vs. Carencro, U-High vs. Catholic
Week 4: Teurlings Catholic vs. Notre Dame
Week 5: Parkview Baptist vs. Glen Oaks, St. Michael vs. Plaquemine
Week 6: Acadiana vs. Sam Houston
Week 7: LCA vs. Teurlings Catholic
Week 9: St. Edmund vs. Westminster Christian Academy (Opelousas)
Week 10: Catholic High vs. Zachary
Weel 11: Westgate vs. Terrebonne
Check out the photos taken by Cameron Cerniglia!
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