Salmen defeats West Ouachita for first playoff win in six years

SLIDELL – On a rainy Friday night on Spartan Drive, it must have felt like perfect weather by game’s end to the home team.

No. 11 Salmen knocked off No. 22 West Ouachita in a nailbiter, 20-17, in a LHSAA Division I Select playoff game.

Thw win marked the first in the playoffs for the Spartans since 2017.

Holding a the slim 14-10 lead going into the fourth quarter, the passing game provided needed breathing room in a run-heavy game for the team teams. Cam Dorsey to Damon Narcisse passing connections moved the ball down the field quickly, setting up a seven-yard touchdown run by Jacobi Jefferson with 8:43 to go to make it 20-10 after a failed extra point try.

On the ensuing drive, West Ouachita (6-5) mounted a response behind the hard running of fullback Marlon Owens and running back CJ Barr. A 1-yard quarterback sneak by Luke Jones drew West Ouachita within three with 4:23 left.

Salmen’s plan to run the ball and kill the clock was halted but the Spartans elected to go for a fake punt. The Chiefs stopped the risky play and ended up with good field position at their 45 yard line with 1:52 remaining.

Eric Chuter took a chance but the Salmen head coach believed his defense was ready for the challenge. A first down sack set the tone and the Spartans forced a turnover on downs of their own to ice the game.

The Chiefs won the toss and elected to start the game on offense first and pounded the Spartans defense with their triple option offense. Owens broke a 15 yard run to the Salmen 25-yard line to put West Ouachita in scoring range just one minute and 30 seconds into the opening quarter. Jones and the Chiefs took the early 7-0 lead on a three-yard run.

Salmen (9-2) fed Jefferson early and often. After picking up two quick first downs, the Spartans found themselves knocking on the door. The drive was capped by Dorsey’s one-yard touchdown pass to Damon Narcisse.

Int he second quarter, the Chiefs went for a fourth and shirt at their 28 yard and converted. A 60-yard pass and catch from Jones to tight end Cayden Tolbird followed but the Spartans held strong at the goal line and held the Chiefs to a 19-yard field goal to trail 10-7 with just 2:28 left in the half.

In the third quarter, Jefferson helped the Spartans take advantage of good field position at the 46 yard line. On his second carry of the half, he found an opening and bolted away for a 46-yard touchdown to put the Spartans up with just under two minutes gone after the half to give the Spartans the lead for good.

Salmen advances to the regional round to face No. 6 Zachary on the road next week.