LeBourgeois has record night in Centerville rout
Published 5:30 am Sunday, October 22, 2017
- Centerville’s Matthew LeBourgeois (7) leaves a Highland Baptist defender behind as he completes a 94 yard run for a touchdown in Friday’s 63-14 win over Highland Baptist.
CENTERVILLE — Homecoming 2017 will be a night everyone from Centerville will remember for a long time. Matthew LeBourgeois made sure of that.
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On a night of records and firsts that may never be rivaled again, the senior wingback had probably the most impressive record and first of anyone.
LeBourgeois ran for a school-record 341 yards and three touchdowns and the Bulldogs rushed for a school-record 656 yards in a 63-14 rout of Highland Baptist in a District 7-A game Friday.
“He had as impressive performance as I’ve ever seen or been a part of,” Centerville head coach Mark Millett said.
LeBourgeois’ record night was the capstone in a night of superlatives for the Bulldogs.
• It was Centerville’s first district win in it’s brief three-year football history.
• It was Centerville’s fifth win of the season, guaranteeing that the Bulldogs first non-losing football season in football history.
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• It was Centerville’s first homecoming win in it’s brief football history.
• And it was the most points scored in Centerville football history, eclipsing the 58 scored back in week 1 when the Bulldogs beat Northwood-Lena 58-38.
Add to that LeBourgeois becoming the first running back in Centerville football history to rush for 300 yards in a single game and it was a night that will not be forgotten for the Bulldog nation.
“It was a good fight,” LeBourgeois said. “We had to come out from the beginning and fight hard. It wasn’t easy in the beginning but in the second half we pulled through. I earned those yards tonight.”
LeBourgeois’ night also eclipsed the night by senior fullback Noah Verrett, who ran for 196 yards and three touchdowns of his own for the Bulldogs, who improved to 5-3 on the season and 1-3 in district with the win.
“We talked about it all week, how important this game was,” Millett said. “When you look at our district and you look at Gueydan and Hanson and Highland and Centerville, we’re kind of all in the same boat.
“Everybody was coming up and we’re fighting to see who is going to stay afloat. It was a huge win. We kept the ball away from them or we scored quickly. We just played very well tonight and did what we were supposed to do and executed.”
LeBourgeois scored on runs of seven, 94 and 54 yards and for good measure caught a 20 yard touchdown pass right before halftime.
Verrett added touchdown runs of seven, 30 and 26 yards for the Bulldogs. Jaylon Cookes and Morty Frederick also added touchdown runs for Centerville in the rout.
But it was LeBourgeois’ night as the senior gave the homecoming crowd something to celebrate.
“Matt LeBourgeois is the best football player that they’ve had in this school in the three years that they’ve had football,” said Millett.
Centerville’s defense shut down Highland and stud running back Brontre Griffin, who was held to 79 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.
The Bulldogs also held Highland Baptist quarterback Myles Liggans to 4-of-20 passing for 68 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
The Bears fell to 3-5 overall and 1-3 in district. It was the most points that Highland has given up in a game this season.
“I thought that we played defense just as well as we played offense tonight,” Millett said. “Griffin is a very good back. If I had to face him every year I’d retire. And Liggans’ is a star in the making.
“That’s a very good football team that we faced.”
Highland returns home to face Vermilion Catholic Friday, Centerville plays host to Central Catholic.