Freshman DB Karon Eugene makes a last-ditch tackle to stop a Trailblazer punt return. 

An intercepted pass in the dying seconds of Catholic High’s second-round playoff matchup against No. 21 seed Lake Charles College Prep might have been what ended the Panthers’ playoff hopes, but the on-field problems began much earlier.

After a hot 8-2 performance in the regular season and a share of the District 8-2A championship, the Panthers were expected to do well in head coach Matt Desormeaux’s first postseason run with his alma mater.

The reward for their hard work, a No. 5 seed and a first-round bye, might have been the team’s downfall as the Panther offense looked flat and uninspired for most of the game against the Trailblazers, scoring just three points in the 7-3 loss.

“I thought our defense performed phenomenally,” said Desormeaux about his team’s performance. “The offense performed well at times, but we just didn’t finish drives and we made too many mistakes. I told the guys beforehand that if we played a good game I felt like we would win and if we made mistakes it would be difficult for us.”

LCCP’s lone touchdown came after a fumble by junior QB Luke Landry was returned for a touchdown. The fumble was a crucial moment in the game and, ultimately, a point of contention for many fans who felt that decisions by the officiating crew played a part in the team’s defeat.

For Desormeaux, his team won’t be looking for any excuses.

“We talk about that all the time as a coaching staff,” he said. “You have to control what you can control and you can’t control what the officials call. If we could have held onto the football or we hadn’t thrown an interception then it wouldn’t have mattered what the referees called. We have to execute and not put the decision in their hands.”

The loss comes at the end of one of Catholic High’s most successful seasons following back to back 4-7 records in 2021 and 2022. For Desormeaux, there is still room for improvement and new goals to hit moving forward.

“I’m definitely not happy with where we finished. Like I said at the beginning of the year, our goal is to win a state championship,” he explained. “If that isn’t one of our goals then there’s no point in even going out there. I was pleased with the way that our guys responded all year long but I feel like that was a game that we should have won. I’m not happy with how it ended but I am pleased with our kids for buying in and coming to work every single day. We didn’t play great but we played hard.”

“Our kids battled until the very end, so I’m very happy with their effort and the way they responded all year.”

Senior Marques Austin led the Panthers’ offense with 76 yards from 10 carries. Devin Mouton added 27 yards from four carries and Javon Brown ended the night with 25 yards from nine attempts.

Quarterback Luke Landry combined for 66 yards against LCCP. Catholic High’s receiving corps combined for over 150 yards, with Jaiden Mitchell (60 yards, 2 catches) and Jake Wyman (48 yards, 2 catches) leading the pack.

The Panthers will return several key starters next season, something Desormeaux is already looking forward to as the team looks to begin the 2024 campaign soon.

“We have a lot of guys that are going to have to step up into different roles and at different places but as long as they keep working hard and growing like they have, I think we have the chance to be a good team again next year,” Desormeaux said.

Lake Charles College Prep will face No. 4 seed University Lab in the quarterfinals of the LHSAA Select Division III playoffs.