Catholic High hit Lake Charles College Prep with the old counterpunch.

The Panthers spotted LCCP a two-touchdown lead in Friday’s homecoming game, then responded with 38 unanswered points in a 38-27 win. LCCP tacked on two fourth-quarter scores.

“We played a little better after the first quarter,” CHS coach Matt Desormeaux said. “We weren’t quite as physical at first.”

The Trailblazers (1-4), who knocked CHS out of the playoffs each of the past two seasons, possessed the ball for over nine minutes in the first quarter, outgaining the Panthers 155-to-50 yards for a 13-0 lead.
CHS scored 24 points in the second quarter on two passes from quarterback Luke Landry to tight end Joseph LeBlanc, a Landry keeper, and a 25-yard field goal by Bennett Boudreaux, who kicked a 50-yarder in the second half.

“Joe is a mismatch for linebackers,” Desormeaux said of LeBlanc, who caught 11 passes for 177 yards and averaged 40 yards per punt. “They were focused on Jaiden (Mitchell). When they double-covered Jaiden, it opened up other guys.”

Tristan Lewis caught three passes for 29 yards and a TD. Mitchell had two grabs for 29 yards. Owen Morris led the rushing attack with 70 yards on 15 carries. Landry passed for 248 yards, bringing his season total to 1,018 yards and 15 TDs with only one interception.

“Tristan is a great player,” Desormeaux said. “We’re trying to get him more involved on offense. Joe had a career game. Luke played well. Owen Morris had a really good game, carrying 15 times and doing a good job in pass protection.”

The Panthers got two safeties in the third quarter, the first coming on a punt block in the end zone by linebacker JD Hidalgo, who led the team again with 13 tackles and a forced fumble. Izaac Andre, who had 10 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception, combined with Layton Mitchell on a quarterback sack in the end zone for a 35-13 lead late in the third quarter.

Karon Eugene, who missed the Notre Dame game with injury, and Lewis also had interceptions. Lewis, who returned his pick 31 yards, recovered a fumble and registered four solo tackles. Eugene totaled seven tackles. Chris Green and Xander LaBauve recorded five stops apiece and combined for 1.5 sacks and three tackles for loss.

“Xander is a great defensive player for us,” Desormeaux said of the 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior, who is also the backup quarterback.. “He has long arms and does a great job of playing physically.”

Jack Romero, who got in on a sack, and Michael Haik each recovered a fumble. Jace Ruskowski, Michael Bertrand, Maxwell Chauvin and Haik each collected four tackles.

Mitchell leads the team in receiving with 14 catches for 327 yards and six TDs. LeBlanc is second with 22 receptions for 279 yards and three TDs.

Desormeaux hopes to get standout linebacker Bennett Woodring (concussion) back soon. The Panthers travel to Franklin (2-3) on Friday in the district opener. The Hornets’ three losses have come to large schools New Iberia Senior High, Lafayette and Peabody Magnet.

“Franklin is good like they are every year,” Desormeaux said. “They’re big up front and solid at every position.”