Two plays wake up Eagle Nation

The Eagle Nation came alive after two significant plays in the first half.
Ascension Catholic had just scored its third touchdown of the first half and was leading 22-0. However, Jyrin Bessard sparked new life into the Eagle Nation by darting 94 yards up the middle of the field for a touchdown on the ensuing kickoff after the touchdown. Dane Richoux kicked the extra point, and the Eagles were only down 22-7.
Bessard’s touchdown was like when Rocky hit Apollo Creed with a hard left for the first time in their first fight. The hit stunned Creed, and so did Bessard’s touchdown. It was the first time Bessard had run a kickoff for a touchdown this year.
Bessard said, “I had not returned one all season, and this was my time. We were down 22-0. All I could think was I must take it to the house. It was the only way to get back into the game. We needed that score. That gave us our momentum.”
VC quarterback Jonathan Dartez said, “Jy’s touchdown turned it around for us. When you are not scoring on offense, but there is a big special team score, it turns the game around. We started figuring things out.”
On Ascension’s next drive, the VC defense stopped them and forced them to punt. On VC’s first play from their own 28, Dartez rolled right and had three choices. He first looked at his primary receiver, but he was covered, then he thought about running. As he was about to take off, he spotted receiver Joe Langlinias alone, 10 yards downfield. Dartez floated it to Langlinais, who caught it and outran the defenders for a 73-yard touchdown catch.
Langlinais said, “I just so happened to be in the right place at the right time. When I crossed the goal line, it was pretty amazing. We needed that score.”
Langlinais’ touchdown was like another hard left from Rocky that landed on Apollo Creed’s jaw. When the bell rang, and it was halftime, Creed (Ascension Catholic) knew they were in for a battle with the Eagles in the second half.
The Eagles opened the second half with the ball, marched 70 yards, and closed to within 22-20 with 9:21 to play in the third period. The big play of the drive was a 68-yard touchdown run by Dartez that put VC within two points, 22-20, of the lead.
Like all great Rocky fights, the two teams went toe-to-toe throwing jabs, and when VC would score, Ascension followed with a score of its own. VC was down 29-20 and responded with a touchdown. Detraz scored on a 27-yard touchdown run.
Back came Ascension with a blow of its own with a 35-yard touchdown reception, and VC responded on its next possession by marching 50 yards for a score. Dartez scored his fourth touchdown with still 9:23 to play in the game.
The Eagles were only down 35-33, and their defense came up big and stopped Ascension, forcing them to punt.
VC put together the game-winning drive behind Dartez’s legs and arms. He had five carries on the drive, including a 23-yard touchdown run on fourth down. VC took its first lead, 39-35, with 2:05 to play in the game.
Ascension had time to score with 2:05 to play in the game. But on a pass play, they fumbled, and VC defensive back Ty Williams fell on the ball to secure the victory.
Dartez finished with 30 carries for 183 yards and four scores.
He also completed seven out of 14 passes for 167 yards. Ross Dartez had three catches for 42 yards, and Bessard had two for 52 yards.