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Lafayette Christian Academy quarterback Zachary Clement escapes pressure from Central Catholic linebacker Cooper LeBlanc during Thursday's District 7-1A contest in Morgan City. Clement rushed 19 times for 221 yards and four scores in Lafayette Christian's 48-7 victory. (The Daily Review/Geoff Stoute)

Lafayette Christian routs CCHS 48-7

Lafayette Christian Academy quarterback Zachary Clement kept the ball on the first play from scrimmage, got to the outside and rumbled down the side line for a 59-yard touchdown 33 seconds into Thursday’s District 7-1A contest with Central Catholic in Morgan City.
It was the first of four touchdowns for the standout quarterback and set the tone for what was a rough night for Central Catholic, who was routed 48-7.
Lafayette Christian scored on four of its five first-half drives to take a 28-7 lead into halftime.
In the second half, the Knights scored one more offensive touchdown and added two defensive touchdowns via a fumble recovery and an interception return.
“We got our butts kicked,” Central Catholic Coach Tommy Minton said. “They came out from the first play and hit us in the mouth and we didn’t answer. We got a lot of growing up to do as a football team, and I’m tired of hearing that we’re young, and we’re playing sophomores. We played five games, a jamboree and a scrimmage. It’s time for some of them to man-up.”
For the game, the Knights totaled 337 yards of offense (327 rushing and 10 passing).
Meanwhile, its defense held Central Catholic to 129 yards of offense (90 rushing and 39 passing).
Clement led Lafayette Christian with 19 carries for 221 yards and four touchdowns, while senior running back Trey Breaux added 10 carries for 54 yards and a score.
“Our tackling and our effort to tackle was not good,” Minton said. “Up front, we didn’t block. We basically played like we were the intimated football team.”
After Clement’s touchdown on the Knights’ opening drive with 11:27 remaining, Clement scored again on Lafayette Christian’s second drive with an eight-yard run with 7:32 remaining.
The Knights’ third touchdown was set up by an interception by Lafayette Christian’s Errol Rogers, who returned the turnover to the Central Catholic 48.
Four plays later, Breaux scored from a yard out for a 21-0 Lafayette Christian lead with 5:01 remaining in the first half.
Central Catholic cut its deficit to 21-7 on its next drive, utilizing some trickery.
Facing a fourth-and-13 situation from the Lafayette Christian 41-yard line, Central Catholic punter Tyler O’con received the snap, and then, instead of kicking, threw to sophomore tight end Nathan Hebb. Hebb took the pass in for a 41-yard touchdown with 11:30 remaining in the second quarter. Phillip Guarisco’s extra point was good to cut the Lafayette Christian lead to 21-7.
However, the Knights responded on its next drive with a lengthy, penalty-filled possession that was capped by Clement’s 6-yard run on which he extended the football across the goal line for the score with 5:49 remaining. Colin Lahaye, who was 6-for-6 on extra point attempts, converted the point-after attempt for a 28-7 Lafayette Christian lead.
In the second half, Central Catholic got the ball first.
On the Eagles’ first play from scrimmage, quarterback Davidyione Bias completed a pass to wide receiver Brooks Thomas. However, Thomas was stopped behind the line of scrimmage, and he fumbled the football. Lafayette Christian’s Martin Lee picked up the loose ball and returned it 20 yards for a score and a 35-7 Lafayette Christian lead.
The Knights added two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Clement reached the end zone on a 19-yard run after initially breaking three tackles, including two at one time, on a touchdown run with 6:50 remaining, while senior Aaron Jackson returned an interception 28 yards for a score with 1:04 remaining for the final margin.
Bias led the Eagles’ run game with 15 carries for 75 yards, while standout running back Chris Singleton was limited to 15 yards on 12 carries.
O’con led the Eagles through the air as he completed his lone pass attempt for a 41-yard touchdown.
Hebb led Central Catholic’s receivers with two catches for 47 yards and a touchdown.
Central Catholic will return to action Oct. 6 when it travels to New Iberia for a District 7-1A contest against Highland Baptist.

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