Erath survives against Crowley

CROWLEY - The Erath Bobcats got out of Crowley with a 39-28 district victory and finished district at 3-1.
At one time, Erath led 29-6 at halftime and 36-6 early in the third period. But somehow, the Bobcats managed to find themselves in a dogfight with the Gents in the second half.
The Gents outscored EHS 22-6 in the second half after falling behind 36-6.
“It was crazy at the end,” said EHS head coach Eric LeBlanc. “We got a big lead early. Then, the offense and defense played well.”
Crowley managed to put up more offense in the first half than the Bobcats despite scoring only six points. The Gents had 258 yards, and Erath and 173.
The Gents tried an onside kick to open the second half. However, they were unsuccessful. Erath’s Lane Delcambre picked up the ball and ran it back seven yards to the EHS 44-yard line. EHS quarterback Lynkon Romero connected with Christian Pillette for a 36-yard reception, and then Romero found Nate Touchet for a 22-yard TD reception. At the 10:12 mark in the third period, EHS led 36-6.
One would have thought the game was over, but not with Crowley’s one-man show, quarterback Omar Butler. Butler finished the game with 277 yards, and he scored four touchdowns. At halftime, Bulter had 131 yards on 10 carries.
“Butler did not surprise us,” said LeBlanc. “He was as good as we thought he would be.”
The Bobcats thought they were putting the icing on the cake when Dylan Duhon nailed a 30-yard field goal, making it 39-12 with 9:43 to play in the game.
But back came Crowley and put together a 10-play drive to trim the lead to 39-18.
Duhon missed a 45-yard field goal with four minutes left to play in the game. On Crowley’s next possession, Butler ran 80 yards for a touchdown, and CHS converted the two-point play that made 39-28 with 3:49 to play.
The Gents successfully kicked the onside kick and recovered the ball at midfield.
However, instead of going forward, the Gents went backwards and found themselves facing a fourth down and 30 yards away for a first down from the Crowley 28-yard line.
Bulter almost pulled off the miracle run by scampering 25 yards, but then Bobcats were hit with a personal foul penalty after hitting Bulter out of bounds. Crowley thought it had an automatic first down after the penalty. But, instead, Erath got the ball back and ran out the clock.
The Bobcats played the second half without their leading rusher Mason Hebert. Hebert had only five carries for 28 yards. At halftime he took off his uniform due to a leg injury.
Another player took off his uniform after EHS scored in the opening minutes of the third period. Christian Pillette did not play for most of the third period and all of the fourth quarter.
He had a good night receiving. He finished with three receptions for 84 yards and a TD.
EHS quarterback Lynkon Romero also had a good game. He completed eight out of 10 passes for 145 yards and three scores. He also rushed for 66 yards and scored twice.
With Hebert sidelined in the second half, freshman Landon Lemaire stepped in to carry the load at running back. Lemaire rushed for 65 yards on 12 carries, all in the second half.
In the first half, Dylan Duhon recovered a fumble on Crowley’s opening possession, and the Bobcats took advantage of it. Romero had a 24-yard touchdown run. A 24-yard reception by Nate Touchet set it up.
Erath successfully converted the onside kick when Aiden Bourque fell on the ball. The Bobcats scored six plays later. Romero hit Pillette for a 17-yard TD pass.
Erath led 15-0 at the 3:37 mark in the first period.
The Bobcats pushed the score to 29-6 when Romero hit Blake Dauteruil on a screen pass. Dautreuil tipped toed down the sideline for a 16-yard touchdown reception.
EHS is on the road to battle Donaldsonville in a non-district game.