A late rally from the Yellow Jackets wasn’t enough to turn the tide against Sulphur as NISH fell 28-21 to the Tors to move to 3-3 on the season. 

“We have really good character kids and they’re playing the game for the right reasons,” said NISH head coach Josh Lierman after the loss. “They’re playing because they love the game and they’re playing hard all of the time. They did everything they could tonight to win that game. I need to have our defense better prepared and that’s on me.” 

The Yellow Jackets scored first in front of a packed homecoming crowd, finding the endzone courtesy of a one-yard run by senior RB Shanga Charles. The Tors answered back with a rushing TD of their own, tying the game 7-7 going into the second quarter. 

A second rushing TD gave Sulphur the edge just before halftime, but an 85-yard kick return by senior WR Dameon Polite as the clock struck zero gave the Yellow Jackets hope going into the halftime break. 

“I thought we had stolen the momentum right there. I told the coaches that we weren’t going to have any time (left in the half) anyway, so let’s see if we can return it for a touchdown and it worked out in our favor. It was a great return by Dameon Polite.”

The Yellow Jackets gave up two unanswered touchdowns, a 19-yard run in the third quarter and a one-yard rush in the fourth. With the game winding down, NISH began to rally back. After marching downfield to the one-yard line, junior QB Peyton Landry punched it in himself to cut the deficit down to seven points, but a penalized onside kick and a four-and-out drive sealed the win for Sulphur, who had lost their previous three games after starting the season 2-0. 

NISH’s offense has looked different for the past two district matchups after senior QB Kaiden McGlasson suffered a broken clavicle against Acadiana in Week 4. With McGlasson out for the foreseeable future, Landry’s playstyle has necessitated a move away from the shotgun. Lierman said that he is happy with the way his team has handled the injury crisis they are currently facing, specifically the offense’s adaptability to a new playstyle. 

“Kayden St. Julien has done a good job of carrying the ball, as has Kendrick JohnLouis,” he said. “Our receivers have had to adjust too. It’s different when you’re under center compared to in the shotgun. Synjaya Hamilton, Dameon Polite and all the rest of them, they’re giving us everything they’ve got and that’s all that I can ask for.”

Charles led the Yellow Jacket offense against Sulphur, picking up 83 yards and one touchdown from 27 carries. St. Julien added 36 yards from five carries. Synjaya Hamilton (4-53) and Dameon Polite (4-34) were Landry’s most popular receiving targets. Ladnry ended the game 9-from-17 for 91 yards and one rushing touchdown. 

Despite falling short against Sulphur, the team’s performance delivered several positives for Lierman. 

“I think you always have positives to look forward to,” he said. “We’re going to go and compete against Barbe next week and then the next one and the next one and the next one, you know? That’s what we’re going to do, that’s why we play the game. We’re competitors.”

The Yellow Jackets will host Barbe (3-3, 1-2) on Friday before facing off against Sam Houston (4-2, 2-1) and Lafayette (3-3, 0-3) on the road. NISH will close out the regular season with a Week 10 matchup against Southside (1-5, 3-0). 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Jeanerette 52, Centerville 6

Jeanerette remained undefeated this season with a 52-6 win over Centerville on Friday. 

Senior QB Zyon Colar had a perfect outing, going 6-for-6 through the air for 204 yards and three touchdowns. Kobe Gage, Levi Boykins and Morris Walters each scored one receiving touchdown apiece against the Bulldogs, with sophomore RB Devine Duhon racking up 147 yards and three touchdowns from nine carries. 

Raymond Jack led the Tigers defense with 10 solo tackles, five assisted tackles, one fumble recovery and one pass deflection. Javonte Williams (6 solo, 10 assist, 2 TFL), Gregory Green (3 solo) 5 assist), Tyrae Lively (3 solo, 6 assist) Andre Sonnier (1 solo, 3 assist, 1 INT, 1 TD), Nysir Jackson (4 solo, 1 assist) and JoaQuinn Charles (7 solo, 6 assist, 2 TFL) also contributed to the win. 

Jeanerette will return to action on Friday when they host St. Martinville. The Tigers (1-5) are coming off a 22-6 loss against Westgate in Week 6. Jeanerette remains the only unbeaten team in the Teche Area through six weeks. 

Westgate 22, St. Martinville 6

Westgate notched its first victory since Week 3 with a 22-6 win over St. Martinville on Friday. 

The Tigers are currently in the middle of a serious injury crisis, with both starting QB/CB Jaboree Antoine and backup QB/WR Bryant Leon Jr. out with long-term leg injuries. Several other key starters have also picked up various knocks, leaving head coach Ryan Antoine with few players to choose from. 

After giving up an early touchdown to St. Martinville QB Kervin Dontenette, the Tigers got on the scoreboard with a pick-6 from freshman Shadon Lee. Senior RB Tavias Gordon punched in the two-point conversion to take the lead. 

Westgate never looked back once they had control of the game, scoring again off a four-yard rush by Amari Simon. The final touchdown of the night came off a four-yard run by senior Trandin Benjamin.

Tavias Gordon combined for 77 yards and two successful two-point conversions against St. Martinville. Brock Mitchell went 6-for-12 passing for 66 yards with an additional 15 yards on the ground. Amari Simon’s touchdown on offense was complimented by his six tackles and .5 sacks on defense. 

Westgate will have a short week to prepare for its Week 7 matchup, a road contest against District 4-4A opponent Rayne (3-3, 2-1) on Thursday.