REPLAY: East Ascension rallies past Warren Easton in double OT, 30-27

NEW ORLEANS – The script was slightly different, but in the end, just like a year ago in Gonzales, the East Ascension-Warren Easton game came down to one play.

And just like a year ago, it ended with a stop inside the 1-yard line and a victory for the Spartans.

East Ascension’s defense stopped Easton running back Jay Gordon inches from the goal line on fourth down in the second overtime to preserve a 30-27 victory Wednesday night at Victory Field at Joe Brown Park.

The game was broadcast live on Crescent City Sports.

After the teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime – Easton on a 7-yard pass from Keddrick Connelly to Curtis Elmore and East Ascension on a 10-yard run by Walter Samuel – Logan Kern kicked a 35-yard field goal on the first possession of the second OT to give EA (2-0) its first lead of the night.

Two incompletions and a scramble by Keddrick Connelly put Easton (0-2) at the 4-yard line, facing fourth down.

As he did last year after his team scored a touchdown on the final play of the game to pull within a point, Easton coach Jerry Phillips eschewed sending out his kicking team and went for the win.

Even after a false start penalty, Phillips stuck with his offense. Gordon went off the left side but was stopped just short of the goal line.

“I saw them fighting and we fought, and it came down to the wire,” said East Ascension coach Darnell Lee. “I’m just happy to get out of here with the W.”

For three quarters, Easton dominated, not only building a 20-0 lead but outgaining East Ascension 370-30.

The Spartans finally got on the board on the third play of the fourth quarter, when on a third-and-11, Troy Dunn’s screen pass to Walter Samuel resulted in a 56-yard catch and run for a touchdown.

Despite a missed extra point, that seemed to be the turning point of the game.

After forcing a three-and-out, EA went on a 12-play, 72-yard drive which was kept alive by a roughing the passer call on Easton. Dunn hit Navell Chopin for a 16-yard touchdown pass and it was a 20-13 game with 5:30 remaining.

The Spartans got another stop and took over at their 39 with 3:55 left. Dunn went 4-for-5 on the drive, finding Ja’Quel Mack on fourth-and-goal from the 3. Logan Kern’s PAT tied it with 2:19 left.

“Troy Dunn started making some plays at quarterback and the running game got going,” Lee said.

Dunn had 175 yards passing in the fourth quarter and finished 14 of 27 for 236 yards and three touchdowns.

Gordon had 141 yards on 20 carries and a 1-yard second quarter touchdown for Easton.

Connelly completed 21 of 30 passes for 190 yards and three scores, two to Samuel and one to his favorite target, Alred Luke, who finished with 12 receptions for 95 yards.

The Spartans outgained the Eagles 185-36 in the fourth quarter and the two overtime periods.

East Ascension meets St. Charles Catholic next week while Warren Easton is uncertain who or if they will play while its scheduled opponent, Landry, deals with a reported COVID-19 positive test from earlier this week.