UPDATED WITH GAME STORY: Vermilion Catholic downs Central Catholic

Staff Report
All-purpose Vermilion Catholic receiver Jonathan Dartez scored three touchdowns, and teammates Seth Noegel and Travin Moore added late scores to lift the visitors to a 32-20 win Thursday over Central Catholic.

The game pitted two teams at the top of District 8-1A, each with 4-0 district records heading in. The loss was the first for Central Catholic in seven games after an 0-2 start.

Now the teams await their playoff assign-ments, scheduled to be announced at 11 a.m. Sunday by the Louisiana High School Activities Association.

The touchdowns by Noegel on a 10-yard run and Moore from 2 yards out broke open a game that was tied 20-20 late in the third quarter.

Vermilion Catholic’s methodical but high-powered running game overcame Central Catholic’s injury-plagued offense, led by the rushing of quarterback Caleb O’Con and running back Damondrick Blackburn.

Blackburn, who was fighting an injury, nevertheless did the heavy lifting and scored on runs of 2 and 10 yards.
Dartez, a wide receiver who occasionally lined up to take direct snaps, had first-half TD runs of 7 and 1 yards, and broke loose for a 62-yard score in the third quarter.

Blackburn’s touchdown runs and a 5-yard plunge by Jonathan Picou helped Central Catholic keep pace until Noegel and Moore put Vermilion Catholic ahead for good.

Central Catholic turned the ball over on downs twice late in the second half.

Tylon Hollins intercepted a Vermilion Catholic Hail Mary pass at the end of the first half.

Central Catholic finishes the regular season at 6-3. Vermilion Catholic is 7-3.

On Friday, longtime Central Catholic coach Tommy Minton leads Vandebilt Catholic into Friday’s District 8-4A finale at Morgan City.
Patterson hosts Lutcher and Berwick is at Donaldsonville in District 9-3A games.