VC defense gives Erath QB fits in the second half

In 1981, the rock band Queen and legendary singer David Bowie teamed up to sing a hit song titled “Under Pressure.” Under Pressure could have been the theme of the Vermilion Catholic defense against the Erath Bobcats on Friday.
The VC defense had EHS quarterback Lynkon Romero under pressure for almost the entire game. He could not sit back in his pocket, relax and look for a receiver. Instead, he was either rolling out of the pocket looking down field, quick throwing or just keeping it and running downfield.
In the end, the game-plan worked en route to a 38-14 win over Erath.
“It is hard to stop Lynkon,” said VC head coach Broc Luquette, who lost to Erath when Romero was a sophomore. “You have to play assignment football. They are tough to stop.
“In the second half, we adjusted. We put more pressure on him (Lynkon),” Prejean said. “We dialed up some blitzes. Hats off to the defense. They did a heck of an effort.”
The Eagles scored 24 points in the second half, while the defense shut down the Bobcats’ offense for zero points.
The win improves the Eagles to 4-0, while Erath drops to 0-4.
The Eagles lost to Erath in 2021 by a score of 36-34.
That was the last time VC lost a regular-season game. They have since posted an impressive 22-2 record, with the only two VC losses in the playoffs, including in the state finals.
The Bobcats are 0-4 for the first time since 2018. However, that year the Bobcats finished the season strong by going 4-1 in district to finish 4-7 and make the playoffs.
The Eagles’ offense did its job, controlled the line of scrimmage and scored when they got the opportunity.
On Friday, Romero completed eight of 20 passes for 141 yards.
But he was also sacked a few times and threw an interception that was returned for 58 yards by free safety Ross Dartez.
Ross, a junior, saw an overthrown Romero pass and camped under it for an interception. It was the first interception of the night. His interception led to a 21-yard field goal by Dane Richoux.
Romero entered the game with 560 yards passing in three games.
Ross's assignment was to keep his eye on the QB.
“I noticed when watching the film Lynkon looks at the receiver before he throws it,” said Ross. “I think he knew who he was going to throw to half of the time.”
While Ross and the defensive backs were stopping the completions, the linebackers and defensive linemen were doing their best to put pressure on Romero. He was sacked or tackled behind the line of scrimmage at least four times.
VC linebacker Allen McClain III came face-to-face with Romero in the first quarter with a sack for minus-9 yards.
VC defenders Gabe Boudreaux and Will Simon teamed up for a second sack. Boudreaux had a solo sack in the second quarter.
“In the second quarter, we started getting better,” McLain said. “At halftime, we talked and came out locked in.”
Romero did complete a 30-yard pass to Cameron Soirez with nine minutes to play in the game. On the next play after the long reception, Romero was sacked for a 10-yard loss, killing the scoring threat.
On one play, VC's Jayden Sons and Jesse Landry teamed up to tackle Romero for a loss late in the fourth quarter.
The Eagles scored their final touchdown with 4:53 to play in the game. Jonathan Dartez threw a 34-yard reception to teammate Ross Dartez.
Ross Dartez was tackled on the 4-yard line. On the next play, Jonathan Dartez scored.
The two Dartezs may look like brothers, but they are not. There is no family connection.
“Many people ask if we are cousins, but we are not. We tell them we are third cousins. We have fun with it,” said Ross.
Erath’s final score of the game was at the 4:14 mark in the second quarter. Landon Lemaire had an eight-yard TD run.
VC's offense scored four more touchdowns and a field goal after EHS scored.
Jonathan Dartez rushed for 127 yards on 15 carries. Tyjh Williams had a season-best 124 yards on 12 carries. He also scored twice.
The leading rusher for Erath was Mason Hebert, with 13 carries for 59 yards.
He had close to 31 yards alone in the first period.
Erath's Treyvan Williams had three catches for 65 yards. Soirez also had three catches for 46 yards.
VC opens the district at home against Highland Baptist on Friday, and EHS battles Vinton also at home.