Calais boosts ’Dogs past Tigers

Cecilia ended a four-year drought last Friday by posting a 31-14 victory over parish rival Breaux Bridge in a key District 5-4A battle.
The Bulldogs’ last victory over the Tigers had occurred back in 2010 but Cecilia scored early and never trailed in rolling to its eight victory of the season and staying unbeaten in league play.
Senior running back Raymond Calais Jr. scored two touchdowns and accounted for all but seven of Cecilia’s 252 net rushing yardage on 28 carries.
And senior quarterback Landon Roberts helped keep the BB defense off balance by completing 10-of-15 tosses for 147 yards that included TD strikes of 40 and 20 yards to Noah Livings and Rusty Robin. Receiver Kenya Dartez was Roberts’ favorite target, hauling in five tosses for 63 yards.
But the visiting Tigers made a game of it, closing to within 10-7 early in the third period before being outscored 21-14 in the second half.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead, going 60 yards on just six plays in their first possession. The game’s first score came on Roberts’ 40-yard strike to Livings less than four minutes into the game.
Breaux Bridge appeared headed for a score of its own when sophomore QB Julian Leon hit Jude Boudreaux with passes of 27 and 26 yards. But a holding penalty slowed the drive and the Tigers turned the ball over on downs at the CHS 20.
The Tigers turned back Cecilia’s next possession when Izrael Ledet picked off a Roberts pass at the BB 10 to end the first quarter.
The Bulldogs wouldn’t be denied on their next possession but had to settle for a 25-yard field goal by Tanner Olivier to stretch their lead to 10-0.
Breaux Bridge threatened late in the half, reaching the Cecilia 15 before Bulldog free safety Kendrick Zeno intercepted Leon.

Breaux Bridge came out in the second half reinvigorated and struck for a quick touchdown, helped on the drive by a 15-yard face mask penalty against the Bulldogs. Daniel Lee capped the 5-play drive with a 47-yard ramble and Bailey Thibodeaux’s PAT kick closed the margin to 10-7
But Cecilia answered the rally less than four minutes later with Roberts connecting with Robin for a 20-yard TD. The score was set up by a 39-yard scamper by Calais.
Cecilia scored again after a short BB punt set the ’Dogs up near midfield. Mixing runs by Calais with two completions by Roberts, the Bulldogs scored again with Calais muscling in from one yard out. Olivier’s PAT stretched the Cecilia lead to 24-7 early in the final period.
But the Tigers were no quitters and they fought back for a quick TD, going 72 yards on just seven plays. The drive featured nice runs by Lee and Sabarian Alexander and ended with Lee converting a 4th-and-2 situation into a 17-yard touchdown that narrowed the Cecilia lead to 24-14 with just under seven minutes remaining.
BB fans among the standing-room-only crowd perked up when Sabarian Alexander recovered a Cecilia fumble at the Bulldog 46 on the ensuing kickoff.
But the Cecilia defense rose up and stopped the Tigers cold on four plays to end the threat.
Calais put the game away on Cecilia’s next offensive play, racing 49 yards for the final touchdown.
Lee proved to be the workhorse for Breaux Bridge, accounting for both Tigers touchdowns and 123 yards on 14 totes.
The Bulldogs improved to 8-1 for the season and 3-0 in district play while Breaux Bridge slipped to 5-4 and 2-2 after its season finale.
Cecilia wraps up regular season play at St. Martinville on Friday in a game that will decide the 5-4A championship.