Thursday’s game between H.L. Bourgeois and Assumption was seen as a potential game of the year, and it did not disappoint as the Braves beat the Mustangs 29-26.
After HLB (2-0) led by a touchdown through one quarter, the Mustangs (0-2) struck back with consecutive scores including a safety and a touchdown to take the lead. The Braves took it back just a few minutes later, only for the Mustangs to tie on the next snap. After a touchdown on the final play of the half, HLB scored again and took a touchdown lead into the locker room.
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In the second half, Assumption rallied for two more scores and the lead, but missed extra points proved to be costly, as the Braves got one more score and stop to escape with the win.
Big plays
Thursday’s contest came down to the final snap. Facing fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Assumption put the ball in the hands of star senior running back Kaleb Davis.
H.L. Bourgeois holds a team meeting.
But HLB had a star senior of its own on the field. Kadar Mitchell came down from the secondary, wrapped Davis up at the line of scrimmage, and held strong as the Mustangs’ last chance was stopped just inches from the goal line for a turnover on downs with under 10 seconds remaining.
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Big players
Both H.L. Bourgeois and Assumption are built around the run game, and Thursday was no exception.
For the Braves, Mitchell put up 150 yards rushing and three touchdowns in addition to his game-saving tackle, while fellow senior Dereck Celestin added 114 yards on the ground and a score of his own.
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For the Mustangs, quarterback Zion Willoughby rushed for 122 yards and a score while also throwing a touchdown. Davis fell short of the century mark on the ground, but put up 167 scrimmage yards and scored three touchdowns.
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They said it
“I just had to play hard,” Mitchell said. “Last week, we took the L. This week, we succeeded.”
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“I just did what coach (Sterling Washington) told me to do,” Mitchell said on his game-saving tackle. “I was disciplined. I rushed in and got the stop for my team. We needed it.”
What’s next?
Assumption will travel to Thibodaux next Friday. H.L. Bourgeois will play its third consecutive Thursday game against Central Catholic next week.
This article originally appeared on The Courier: H.L. Bourgeois football survives against Assumption in Week 2 thriller
