VC to battle Riverside tonight at home

The Vermilion Catholic defense has a tough task ahead of them for the second consecutive week as they take on one of the state’s best running backs.
In the previous week, the Eagles faced Chad Elzy, a prolific running back from Ascension Catholic who had 2,600 yards rushing.
Elzy ran for 230 yards in the game, but the Eagles still won to advance to the semifinals of the playoffs.
The next challenge for the Eagles is the Riverside Academy Rebels (11-1), who are ranked fifth. The game will kick off at 7 p.m. in Eagle Stadium, with the winner advancing to the Division IV Select Finals on Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Tickets are $15 at tonight’s game.
Riverside Academy Rebels are a running team who rely on their junior running back, Dedric Lastie, who is just 5-foot-4.
Lastie was formerly a wide receiver but moved to running back this year and has done an excellent job. Lastie ran for 219 yards and scored three touchdowns in the last game, leading the Rebels to a 26-14 win over St. Martin’s.
Lastie accounted for 29 of the Rebels’ 32 carries.
“He is electric,” said VC head coach Broc Prejean. “He is a guy who can go 70 or 80 yards on one run. On film, he reminds me of Blake Saddler (former Abbeville High running back). He is built low to the ground. He just keeps fighting for yardage.
“It is going to be a tough challenge.”
Lastie is blessed to run behind one of the best offensive lines in the Division IV. Their average size is 6-1, 220 pounds.
The Rebels finished the regular season with a 9-1 record, with their only loss being to Class 2A Newman (33-7) in Week 2. Since then, Riverside Academy has won nine straight games.
In the regular season, the Rebels scored 63 points once, 55 points three, and 40 points four times.
In their last two playoff games, however, the Rebels have only averaged 20 points per game.
In their second-round playoff game, the Rebels narrowly escaped with a 14-12 win over No. 12 Catholic Point Coupee. Last week, the offense scored 26 against St. Martin’s.
Vermilion Catholic has also put up impressive numbers in the regular season. The Eagles scored 57 points once, 40 points four times, 30 points thrice, and 20 points twice. In the playoffs, the Eagles have scored 49 against Delhi Charter and 39 against Ascension Catholic in their two wins.
With tailback Tyjah Williams out for the season after a knee surgery in Week 10, junior quarterback Jonathan Dartez is expected to carry the football load for the Eagles.
Dartez carried the ball 30 times for 183 yards and scored four touchdowns in the last game, including a 68-yard touchdown run. Throughout the year, Dartez rushed for 1,822 yards in 12 games.
Although many people may have forgotten, the Eagles can also throw the football.
Dartez has thrown for 1,530 yards and 17 touchdowns, completing 88 passes in 141 attempts. Ross Dartez leads the team in catches with 28 for 554 yards, followed by Jyrin Bessard (14-321 yards) and Hudson Hebert (14-99 yards).
Prejean said this summer the Eagles have worked on their passing game and it is paying off.
“It is a consistent part of our offense,” said Prejean. “Dartez has completed almost 70 percent of his passes.”
Others with catches are Ethan Landry (8-103), Dane Richoux (9-108), and Jonathan Dartez (5-112).
On defense, Allen McLain is the leading tackler with 75.5 (56 solo, 39 assists) and 4.5 quarterback sacks.
Other leading tacklers on the team are Ty Williams (31 solos, 28 assists), Joe Langlinais (33 solos, 32 assists, 2.5 sacks), William Simon (32 solos, 32 assists, 5.5 sacks), Phillip Summers (29 solos, 11 assists, 2 interceptions), Jyrin Bessard (32 solos, 7 assists, two interceptions), Ross Dartez (20 solos, 3 assists, 2 interceptions), Ethan Landry (18 solos, 29 assists), and Gabe Boudreaux (17 solos, 21 assists, 2.5 sacks).