Last night, the Catholic – Pointe Coupee Hornets hosted the Cedar Creek Cougars in New Roads, for a matchup in the first round of the LHSAA Division IV Select Playoffs. Catholic – PC finished the regular season 7-3 and was ranked 12th in their bracket, while Cedar Creek entered the game 4-5, seeded 21st, in the bracket. Catholic – PC was expected to win, but I don’t think anyone saw a blowout of this magnitude coming.
This game was dominated in all aspects by the Hornets, as they scored on their second drive and never looked back. Hayden Elliott was able to find Hudson Moore for a deep, 41-yard catch down the sideline, and just a couple plays later, Elliott scored on a short run up the middle from just a yard or so out. After an offsides penalty on the PAT attempt, the Hornet offense trotted out to go for a two-point conversion. It was successful, and Catholic – PC took an early 8-0 lead. This was the only scoring action of the first quarter. Cedar Creek was actually able to force a bad snap on the opening possession of the game, on a punt, and recover, but weren’t able to capitalize and turned the ball over on downs.
After a Cougar drive ended in a punt, Catholic – PC took over once again. Elliott found Moore for another deep pass, but this time, Moore was able to take it all the way and score. The PAT made the score 15-0, about halfway through the second quarter.
Hayden Elliott did not just make plays on the offensive side of the ball. He was solid on defense last night too, recovering a fumble on the ensuing Cedar Creek possession.
Cooper Laviolette heard his name called, as he was able to break off a huge run and score on the first play of the drive. Apologies for the beginning of the clip being cut off.
The Hornets were able to force a Cougar turnover-on-downs on the next possession, and Jude Morrison was able to find Laviolette for a passing touchdown early on the next drive, in an interesting yet effective throw.
The Hornets took a 29-0 lead into halftime, and I’m sure Cedar Creek wanted nothing more than to put points on the board in this game. One positive moment for the Cougars is that they were able to hold the Hornets scoreless in the 3rd quarter, but did not score themselves. The Hornets did recover two Cougar fumbles in the quarter, though. Here’s one of them:
Cedar Creek was able to stop the Hornets on 4th down a couple times in the second half, including this play in the 3rd:
On the first play of the 4th quarter, Hudson Moore scored again, on a short pass to the endzone. The PAT was blocked, and the score was 35-0, Hornets.
On the following possession, the Hornets recorded their first interception of the game, as Jackson Jewell went up and intercepted the pass near the line of scrimmage.
The Cougars forced a stop on this possession, but alas, the ball was fumbled on their next possession, for their fifth turnover of the night. I will say, conditions were slippery, as halftime and most of the third quarter saw rain falling, but one team did not have these issues as the other did.
Myka Nipple was able to punch it in on a short toss to the outside from around the seven or eight-yardline with 7:18 left to go in regulation. The PAT made the score 42-0, and this score remained throughout the rest of the contest and was the final score, as Catholic – PC defeated Cedar Creek. The Cougars were able to generate another turnover late on this interception:
I spoke to Hayden Elliott and Catholic – PC Head Coach Jacob Carruth after the game. Elliott said, “We are really starting to come together as a team. Everyone’s just toning in on doing their job, and that’s a big key to our success.”
Coach Carruth, when asked about how his team will be preparing for next weeks matchup against Riverside, said, “They’re a great team. For us, were just going to enjoy this win tonight and we’ll be back at it first thing tomorrow morning, having guys in watching film, making corrections, and the work doesn’t stop. At least for one more week.”
Elliott finished the game completing 5/9 passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns, adding 69 rushing yards and an additional touchdown on the ground. Laviolette rushed 14 times for 94 yards, and caught a singular pass for 53 yards, with one rushing and one receiving touchdown. Moore totaled 85 receiving yards and two touchdowns on just three catches.
Cedar Creek’s season is over, and they will return to Ruston to prepare for 2024. Catholic – PC will travel to Reserve next week for a matchup with Riverside Academy in the Regional Round.
