Lafayette Christian fights off St. Charles Catholic in defensive battle for state title

NATCHITOCHES – In 2019, Lafayette Christian had no problem handling St. Charles Catholic in the Division III state championship game.

In 2020, the Knights found the Comets to be a much more challenging opponent but in the end, fifth-seeded LCA fought off No. 2 St. Charles Catholic 12-7 for the Division III title at Turpin Stadium in a game heard live on 106.1 FM NASH ICON.

Two defenses that had combined to post seven shutouts during the season put their vast talents on full display Monday.

Ironically, it was offense that stole the show to start the contest.

Lightning struck quickly for the lightning-fast Knights as Ryan Roberts connected with Caemon Scott on a deep post route for an 80-yard touchdown to give the Knights a 7-0 lead just 12 seconds into the game.

On its first possession, the Comets turned it over as quarterback Zack Vicknair fumbled and Masey Lewis recovered at the St. Charles Catholic 17-yard line.

That set up a 24-yard field goal by Louie Davies and it was 10-0 with 9:17 to play in the first quarter.

Unable to generate any offense, the Comets turned to their outstanding defense to get back in the game.

Tulane signee Mandel Eugene electrified the crowd with an 83-yard interception return for a touchdown on a brilliant individual effort, breaking four tackles to go the distance, and it was 10-7 with 11:04 to play in the first half.

The Comets later had a 10-play drive but got stopped on a fourth down and it remained 10-7 at halftime.

St. Charles Catholic dominated time of possession in the second half but could not score as the Knights defense was terrific.

So was the Comet defense.

St. Charles Catholic (7-3) stopped Lafayette Christian on fourth-and-goal from the Comet 1-yard line but only had 20 seconds remaining.

Vicknair was strip-sacked deep in his own end zone by Lewis, Logan Forsythe of the Comets picked it up but he was tackled for a safety by Trent Hypolite to put the game away.

Lewis was named the Most Outstanding Player for the Knights, recording 10 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks, with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

Congratulations to the Division III Most Outstanding Player,

Masey Lewis of LCA! pic.twitter.com/KMLxshFx8b

— LHSAA (@LHSAAsports) December 29, 2020

“When we just won, I just stood there and had no emotion,” Lewis said. “Like, I wanted to cry but I couldn’t. I was just shocked. I thought I was prepared. I just played football.”

Roberts completed 8-of-15 passes for 142 yards and a touchdown. Vicknair completed 4-of-10 passes for 39 yards and rushed 30 times for 70 yards.

The state championship is the fourth in succession for the Knights (9-1), the last two coming in Division III.

“I would like to thank the guys that built it up to this point,” LCA coach Jacarde Carter said. “This team finished the thing out strong but the foundation was laid four years ago. I thought our group was battle-tested on defense this year, especially without this playoff run with Sage going down on offense. We had guys step up.”

The Comets were in their sixth state championship game since 2005, finishing second for the fifth time under legendary coach Frank Monica.

“We couldn’t get that big play, that explosive play,” Monica said. “We couldn’t get our backs and our quarterback in to the secondary. They do a nice job of stacking the front and we didn’t have a very good answer for that. When we did try to pass, we were beaten up front. They did a nice job of covering our play-action.

“Mandel gave us a chance to win the game. Unfortunately, that’s the only thing that we got.”

FINAL
LCA 10 0 0 2 — 12
SCC 0 7 0 0 — 7

First downs:
LCA 7
SCC 8

Rushing yards:
LCA 40
SCC 91

Passing yards:
LCA 148
SCC 39

Total yards:
LCA 188
SCC 130

Penalties:
LCA 9 for 52 yards
SCC 8 for 66 yards

Turnovers:
LCA 1
SCC 1