In what was the most anticipated game of the Friday slate between two of the biggest powerhouse programs in South Louisiana, it was the Catholic High Bears (12-2) that showed up to the big stage and dominated the Acadiana Wreckin’ Rams (11-3) by a final score of 55-31.
Led by Ragin’ Cajun quarterback commit Daniel Beale in what is the last game of his prestigious Catholic High career, he certainly saved his most brilliant performance for last completing 19 of 26 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns to no interceptions while rushing for a fifth touchdown in the night. Out of the Bears’ 10 total drives, eight of them went for touchdowns as the Bears accounted for over 500 yards of offense.
“Hats off to the offensive staff. They really put together a great game plan. We scripted a lot of it and just let these guys go play. These are special players and because of the improvement they have made over the course of the year, it showed tonight.”
Catholic High School Head Coach Hudson Fuller
Everything was working for the Bears as Beale’s sidekick Barry Remo was just as efficient on the ground with 124 yards rushing and three rushing touchdowns. Beale also spread the ball out to his receivers. Cohen Leblanc led the way with seven grabs for 117 yards and two touchdowns. Brooks Wright also reeled in two touchdowns throughout the game as well.
27 of the team’s 55 points came in the first half as the Bears started off the game strong scoring touchdowns on their first four drives. Catholic High had a 17 point lead going into the second half.
Acadiana started the second half by going on a 19 play, 9 minute drive to cut the game within 10, but the Wreckin’ Rams just could not keep pace with the Bears all night long.
Despite losing by 24 points, the Wreckin’ Rams did some good things offensively throughout the game as the veer offense ran for 418 yards. The three headed backfield trio including Jonah Gauthier (199 yards, 1 TD), Caden DiBetta (115 yards, 1 TD), and Ezekiel Hypolite (85 yards, 2 TDs) all combined for four touchdowns, but the defense just could not get off the field to slow down Catholic’s potent offense.
Under head coach Matt McCullough, the Wreckin’ Rams have won back to back state championships in 2019 and 2020, but missed the state championship game the last two years. Although it was not the result the Wreckin’ Ram fanbase was asking for, it shows that Acadiana is still not going anywhere anytime soon.
“Tough one. Catholic played really well. I am proud of our senior group of getting us back to the state championship. I am proud of this team, proud of this group. It just didn’t work out tonight.”
“The quarterback came out and made some good plays. We just couldn’t cut the lead. I felt like our guys played extremely hard and improved throughout the year as the season went on.”
Acadiana Head Coach Matt McCullough
Meanwhile, Hudson Fuller accomplished something that his predecessors Gabe Fertitta and David Simoneaux accomplished in their first seasons and that is win state championships.
“I am proud of our players, coaches, and school community for sticking together through this year. One of the things that we said for the start of the year was that we wanted to unify what we went through. These guys stuck together. Our team stuck together. Our school stuck together. I am thankful to God for giving us the opportunity to do it. Out of everything that we saw from our guys this year, we saw an incredible amount of spiritual growth and it was going to serve us big time moving forward. I am thankful for this experience with them for sticking together and proud of our school community for helping us.”
Catholic High School Head Coach Hudson Fuller
For seniors like Daniel Beale, they have won state championships before, but have done so in different venues like at Northwestern State and Tulane, but for the star quarterback, capping off his incredible winning career with a third state title in four years at the Superdome is something that the former Catholic ballboy has always dreamed about.
“It was everything. We knew we would get the opportunity to come back, but just coming back and the grit that the team had, we knew we wanted to be there and could be back here. We put our mind to it and we did it. I am thankful for the team and thankful for everybody for the support. We couldn’t do it alone. It was a great season.”
Catholic 2024 QB and Ragin’ Cajuns commit Daniel Beale
Highlights:
1st Quarter:
2nd Quarter:
3rd Quarter:
4th Quarter:
Here are some photos taken by Billy Metcalf!
