Just like other teams had to deal with in a weather delay stricken weekend, the Division I (Select) Semifinal matchup between Catholic High and Archbishop Rummel was played for 3/4 of the way until Mother Nature intervened with bad weather and forced the game to be moved to play on Saturday. With three quarters in the books and the game being deadlocked at 14 a piece, both teams had one quarter on Saturday for the right to play in the LHSAA Division I (Select) State Championship Game.
At Memorial Stadium on a Saturday afternoon, it was the home team that got ready to play and took advantage of the delay the most as they outscored the Raiders 14-2 in order to punch their ticket to the State Championship with a final score of 28-16.
After faking a punt, Catholic decided to go for it on fourth down again and this time, the Bears took advantage as Ragin’ Cajun quarterback commit Daniel Beale found his favorite target Brooks Wright for a “You Got Mossed” esque touchdown catch in the back corner of the end zone. Wright, who was coming off a game winning touchdown against John Curtis in the Quarterfinals, also added an interception on defense as well.
“It was huge making these plays. The coaches give me the ability and they trust me. That is something that they can trust in me and call my name when the time comes. Coach does a great job of calling plays and allowing me to make big plays.”
Catholic High School 2024 WR Brooks Wright
Catholic took a 21-14 lead after the big fourth down touchdown, but it was Rummel’s turn to answer. That is when the game’s most controversial play occurred. Raiders quarterback Generald Buggage attempted a deep shot to the end zone and wide receiver Kendrick Joseph dove and made a great effort to try and reel in the catch, but the referee ruled the pass incomplete. That play was highly looked at and even went viral as officials, coaches, and fans alike review every single frame of that play like it was the Kennedy Zapruder film.
That call, regardless of who was the beneficiary, was going to help swing the momentum towards their way, and for the Catholic High Bears, they took advantage by forcing a turnover on downs. The Bears offense created themselves some major separation when Beale, nicknamed Wheels, ran for a 54 yard touchdown run to make it a two possession game at 28-14. Beale, who has been using his legs more ever since the Zachary game, had one of his best dual threat outings as a Bear with 143 yards passing and a touchdown to go along with 104 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
“I always knew that I can use my legs. I was just doing what I needed to do at the beginning of the season dropping back to pass and handing off to my guys at running back and the offensive line blocking really great. It was two versions of the offense with the pass and the run, and then, the third with me running. You got to choose to what you really wanted to defend.”
Catholic High School 2024 QB and Ragin’ Cajuns QB commit Daniel Beale
After Catholic’s defense forced an interception, the Bears’ offense decided to give Rummel two points as they were deep in their own end zone. That gave the Bears a 28-16 lead with 45 seconds left for Rummel to try and drive the length of the field to score not only once, but twice. Unfortunately for Nick Monica’s squad, time ran out and the Bears went on to celebrate as they punched their ticket to New Orleans to face Acadiana next week.
Archbishop Rummel had a great run to make it this far as they limped into the playoffs with a 4-6 record, but ended in a hot steak by beating Northwood, Captain Shreve, and St. Paul’s in the playoffs to make the semifinals while finishing with a 7-7 overall record.
Meanwhile, for the Catholic High Bears, they continue their nine game winning streak after starting the season at 2-2. Hudson Fuller, who is in his first year as the Catholic High head coach, will become the third straight head coach in program history to lead the Bears to the state championship in their first year as the headman also joining Gabe Fertitta and David Simoneaux.
“It started with the spiritual things. Watching these guys play yesterday, we were playing pretty tight and I was myself and today, we just let go of the result, let God handle that, and went out and played. I am happy for these guys to get to have this experience. I am thankful to God and as you can see, it was a great moment.”
Catholic High School Head Coach Hudson Fuller
Catholic is looking for their fifth state championship as they take on the Acadiana Wreckin’ Rams Friday at 7:00 P.M.
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