Kaplan takes care of business against Crowley

KAPLAN - The Kaplan Pirates improved to 5-1 overall and 1-0 in the district after surpassing the now 0-6 Crowley Gents this past Friday.
The Pirates used ball control and a stingy defense to get the job done en route to a 22-13 victory.
Heading into the Friday game, Kaplan stood at No. 18 in the Division II Non-Select PowerPoint standings, according to GeauxPrep.com. The win could move them up a notch or two.
The top 28 teams make the Division II playoffs. The top five teams get a first-round bye.
The Pirates only led 8-7 at halftime and knew they were in a dogfight.
So, who did they turn to when the game was on the line?
None other than their big fullback Jed Devoltz. Devoltz is back in the lineup after missing 3 1/2 games due to an elbow injury. With the elbow wrapped, Devoltz used his legs to pound the Gents’ defense.
In the first half, he only had two carries for nine yards. He finished the game with 22 carries and 116 yards and scored twice. He carried the football 20 times and rushed for 107 yards in the second half. He averaged five yards a carry in the second half.
After KHS defensive back Andre Marceaux stopped a fake punt on fourth down, the Pirates got the ball and marched 46 yards for a score.
Devoltz had nine straight carries on the drive, including a three-yard touchdown run that put KHS ahead 16-7 with 3:35 to play in the third frame.
“I have been looking forward to returning and playing,” said Devoltz. “I have been ready.”
Devoltz did not lose yardage in the second half, and he credits his offensive line for getting the job done.
“They could not stop our offensive line,” he added. “The line would just blow everyone off the ball. I ran behind my blockers. If not for the offensive line, I could not do what I do.”
Hayes Broussard, a 16-year-old junior, was one of those players on the offensive line. He also plays linebacker.
Broussard turned in one of the best games of the young season by finishing with seven tackles, including a fumble recovery on defense.
“My job on defense was to try and contain No. 8 (Omar Butler),” Broussard said. “I think we had success tonight.”
Butler had only 55 yards on 17 carries for Crowley.
Broussard also opened holes for Devoltz as an offensive guard. Playing both ways did not bother him.
“You get tired, but when you get that 10-second break in the huddle, it helps a lot,” he added.
Despite being outsized and outweighed, the Kaplan offensive line successfully moved the Crowley defensive linemen off the ball, allowing Delvoltz to run through.
“When you have heart and stay low, anything can happen,” Broussard said.
Like a Kaplan win.

Statistics for game:

Scoring:
KHS - Bradyn Bearb had a 1 yard TD run and Carter Petrey converted the two-point play, 8-0.
CHS - Maddix Richard 53 yard pass to Floyd Fluegence. Kick good, 8-7
KHS - Jed Devoltz 3 yard run. Petrey run for 2, 16-7
KHS - Devoltz 8 run. Two -point play failed, 22-7
CHS - Omar Butler 7 run. Pass failed, 22-13

Individual stats:

KHS: Ball carriers: Jed Devoltz (22-116, 2 TD); Daylon Landry (8-70), Wyatt Hebert (7-62); Bradyn Bearb (12-59-1); Dane Frick (2-15) and Sabe Davis (4-3 yards).

Passing: KHS: Sabe David (1-for-2, 36 yards): CHS: Maddix Richard (11-for-20-1 Int, 177 yards).

Receiving: KHS: Daylon Landry (1-36); CHS Floyd Flugence (11-177, 1 TD);