Acadiana holds off determined Alexandria in thriller for Class 5A title

The experienced team took the measure of the newcomer in the Class 5A state championship game but it was anything but easy.

In the best, most thrilling game of the nine state title games in Natchitoches over four days, prized junior Laterrance Welch decided the outcome.

Welch missed the entire regular season with an MCL injury, returned just in time for Acadiana. Welch had been cleared to play prior to the semifinal victory over Destrehan. He intercepted Judd Barton in the end zone on a two-point conversion attempt with one minute remaining to secure a 35-34 victory Wednesday night for top-seeded Acadiana over No. 6 Alexandria at Turpin Stadium.

LATERRANCE WELCH

The junior intercepts the two-point conversion in his second game back from injury.#Acadiana clings to this 35-34 lead with 1:00 remaining. pic.twitter.com/RVCZLuqJXD

— Jerit Roser (@JeritRoser) December 31, 2020

The interception came after Alexandria was backed up from the 3-yard line to the 8-yard line for a false start, making the conversion attempt more difficult.

Welch has offers from 21 offers, including from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Texas and Tulane. A big-time talent made a big-time play when it was most needed.

Alexandria had scored on a 16-yard pass from Barton to TJ Johnson and Trojans coach Thomas Bachman decided to go for the win.

“It’s something I’ll probably think about for quite a long while,” Bachman said. “It’s part of life. You’ve got to make a decision. I thought it was a great opportunity. I liked the matchup.”

The touchdown for the Trojans came after they had successful recovered an onside kick.

Acadiana had the edge most of the way but Alexandria simply would not go away.

Acadiana opened the game with a patented Wreckin’ Rams drive, going 80 yards in 12 plays, taking 5:38 off the clock and Tyvin Zeno scored on a 1-yard run to make it 6-0 with 6:22 to play in the first quarter after a missed extra point.

Acadiana then lost a pair of fumbles, the second by Jerimiah Brown was recovered by CJ Kitlling at the Rams 38-yard line.

The Trojans took full advantage but needed a little luck to take the lead, driving 38 yards in six plays for the go-ahead score.

Jarvis Newton ran for two yards to the 1-yard line, fumbled but teammate Trey’von Culber recovered it for a touchdown. Rajun Valdes kicked the extra point to put the Trojans on top 7-6 with 7:06 to play in the half.

ASH punches it in and takes the lead with the extra point

Acadiana 6 • ASH 7 pic.twitter.com/fMSQne7ZlM

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 31, 2020

Acadiana bounced back, driving 69 yards in seven plays with Zeno scoring on a 5-yard run to cap a seven play, 69-yard drive and Brown ran in the 2-point conversion to give the Wreckin’ Rams a 14-7 lead with four minutes left in the half.

The Trojans then committed a costly turnover as Judd Barton completed a short pass to Culber but he was hit by Walter Bob, fumbled and Bob recovered at the ASH 18-yard line.

Five plays later, Brown, on bootleg action, connected with Kevan Williams on a 4-yard touchdown pass to give Acadiana a 21-7 lead with 26 seconds left in the first half.

Newton returned the ensuing kickoff 40 yards to midfield but the half ended with Alexandria at the Acadiana 36-yard line.

Midway through the third quarter, the Trojans pulled closer, driving 63 yards in seven plays with Barton hitting Abu Kamara on a 25-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 21-14 with 5:20 to play in the third quarter.

The Wreckin’ Rams responded with a nine play, 57-yard drive with Omiri Wiggins scoring on a 2-yard run to establish a 28-14 lead with 1:20 to play in the third quarter.

Alexandria would not go away.

The Trojans got a stop, got a short field and drove 46 yards in six plays as Newton scored on a 2-yard run to cut the deficit to 28-21 with 7:11 to play in the game.

Rams punch it in to extend their lead!

Acadiana 28 • ASH 14 pic.twitter.com/4AAadm5ihp

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 31, 2020

Alexandria then had a chance, recovering a fumble but could not make a first down.

Acadiana took over at the ASH 49-yard line and drove 49 yards in four plays with Wiggins scoring on a 35-yard touchdown run to make it 35-21 with 3:30 to play in the game.

Touchdown Rams! Acadiana goes up 14 with 3:10 to play

Acadiana 35 • ASH 21 pic.twitter.com/hRgm043p2P

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 31, 2020

Once again, the Trojans fought back with Barton hitting Graham Vaughn with a 37-yard Hail Mary touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 35-28 with 1:45 to play in the game. The drive covered 71 yards in eight plays.

Alexandria then pulled off a successful onside kick by Abel Peterman, recovered by Chris Clark at the Trojan 49-yard line with 1:44 remaining in the game.

The Trojans calmly drove 51 yards in five plays with Barton hitting Johnson on the 16-yard touchdown pass, setting the stage for the deciding play of the game.

Acadiana (11-1) then recovered the ensuing onside kick and was able to run out the clock for its second straight state title and its sixth state championship overall, all since 2006.

The Trojans staged a fierce fight in their quest for their first state title and fell just short, despite a terrific effort.

Alexandria (7-2) finished with 358 yards of offense to 328 for Acadiana.

Brown rushed 16 times for 106 yards and completed 2-of-4 passes for 40 yards and a touchdown to offset the two fumbles. Zeno had 22 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns. Wiggins had 14 carries for 74 yards and two scores for the Wreckin’ Rams.

Barton finished 19-of-30 for 221 yards and three touchdowns and rushed seven times for 21 yards. Newton rushed 14 times for 78 yards and a touchdown for the Trojans.

“All I can say, I guess the state championship game in 2020 couldn’t end any other way,” said Acadiana coach Matt McCullough. “That was crazy. A lot of respect for Alexandria. They played about as hard as you can play. I was proud of our guys to find a way to pull it out at the end. It was just a crazy game.”

Acadiana lost three fumbles in the game which kept Alexandria close but the Trojans could never get over the top after falling behind in the second quarter.

FINAL
ACA 6 15 7 7 35
ASH 0 7 7 20 34

First Downs:
ACA 19
ASH 18

Penalties:
ACA 1 for 5 yards
ASH 8 for 39 yards

Turnovers:
ACA 3
ASH 1

Rushing yards:
ACA 288
ASH 137

Passing yards:
ACA 40
ASH 221

Total yards:
ACA 328
ASH 358