Catholic High looking to turn tables on AES in first-round rematch

Published 10:30 am Wednesday, November 10, 2021

The Catholic High School football team hits the road in the first round of the LHSAA football playoffs, facing off against No. 8 seed Ascension Episcopal (7-3) and looking to avenge their loss from the week five.

The ninth-seeded Panthers (4-6) will hope to solve some of the problems that have plagued the team all year, though coach Scott Wattigny believes that many of their problems have been self-inflicted.

“For us, this whole year, there’s only been one game this year where we were just stymied across the board,” said Wattigny.

“We have to be able to overcome that adversity. More importantly, we have to not be the creators of the adversity. That has been out M.O. all year, we have been the creators of our own adversity.”

There is still a very positive air around the team, however, as everyone looks forward to their chance to settle what many think of as unfinished business.

“Some people wouldn’t want to play the same team twice, but for us, I think our guys are excited about it. It’s got all the pressure points to being a motivation game, a game to get excited for.”

The Panthers will look to their powerhouse offensive pairing, senior quarterback KK Reno and senior running back Marco Austin, to provide the offense spark this time around. The pair had a combined total of 250 yards when they last met Ascension Episcopal, and both look ready to put up similar numbers on Friday.

Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. on Friday at Ascension Episcopal School in Youngsville.

The winner of the game will face top seed Lafayette Christian Academy (8-1), which has a first round bye.