Finding a way

VILLE PLATTE -- After a slow offensive performance in the first half, the Sacred Heart Trojans came out swinging in the third quarter en route to a 40-0 pasting of the Westminster Crusaders Friday night.
With the win, Sacred Heart finished the regular season with an overall record of 7-3. That record puts the Trojans in the Division IV playoffs come this Friday.
Exactly who Sacred Heart plays will not be known until the official LHSAA brackets are released this afternoon. Most likely the Trojans will be on the road for their initial post-season match-up.
The opening quarter and a half did not bode well for Sacred Heart, especially on the offensive side of the ball. The Trojans won the coin flip and elected to play defense to open the game.
Westminster took advantage of their opening drive, methodically moving the ball down 45 yards down to the Sacred Heart 25-yard line in 14 plays. However, on fourth-and-15, the Trojan defense stepped up the intensity, forcing an incomplete pass and caused the Crusaders to turn the ball over on downs.
From there, the two teams traded possessions for the rest of the first quarter and into the second quarter. Sacred Heart got the first break of the game, creating a fumble that was recovered by the Trojans at the Westminster 36-yard line.
Taking advantage of the tremendous field position, Sacred Heart needed only three plays to put up the first points of the game when quarterback Wesley Launey hit Nick Perry on a seven yard pass for the score. Launey added the extra point, and, with 7:02 left to go in the second quarter, the Trojans led 7-0.
After three more series between the two clubs, Sacred Heart got the ball back at their 49-yard line with less than three minutes to go on the clock. Four pass plays later, including a 31-yard pitch and catch from Launey to Drew Bordelon, the Trojans had the ball second-and-goal from the Crusader one-yard line.
On the very next play, Launey crashed in from one yard out to put Sacred Heart up by two scores. The extra point was a little short, but with 21 seconds to go until half, the Trojans owned a 13-0 lead.
“They (Westminster) came in with a good game plan and bottled us up for the first quarter and a half,” stated Sacred Heart head football coach Josh Harper. “They decided to commit to stopping the run and did a good job of that at the start of the game. But, we were able to go into the locker room at half time, make some adjustments and got it together.”
“I thought we did a good job of mixing up the single wing with the spread tonight,” Harper continued. “We have to clean some things up, and get the passing game going heading into the playoffs. Once again, our defense played outstanding tonight, just as they have all year long.”
Sacred Heart reversed the trend of the first half and came out of the gates for a much faster start. Taking the second half kickoff at their 38-yard line, the Trojans needed only six plays to add to their lead.
On the final play of the drive, Alec Gotro blasted his way in from two yards out to extend the Sacred Heart lead. Launey tacked on the two-point run to give the Trojans a 21-0 lead with 9:39 to go in the third quarter.
Holding Westminster to a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, Sacred Heart regained possession of the ball at the Crusader 34-yard line when the snap flew over the punter’s head.
The Trojans did not let the opportunity of having a short field to work with go to waste, as they got down to the Westminster one-yard line in two plays. On first and goal, Launey sliced into the end zone untouched for his second rushing touchdown of the night.
The extra point was no good, however, making the score 27-0 in favor of Sacred Heart at the 6:59 mark of the third quarter.
The Trojan defense continued to dominate, creating another three and out series for the Crusaders. Sacred Heart got the ball back at the Westminster 45-yard line following Crusader punt.
Having Westminster on their heels, the Trojans were able to punch the ball into the end zone once more, this time in only two offensive plays. Behind a 41-yard jaunt by Gotro, Sacred Heart was able to extend their lead to 33-0 with 3:36 to in the third quarter.
The final Trojan score of the game came at the start of the fourth quarter. Starting a their 24-yard line, Sacred Heart utilized their passing game to reach the 45-yard line.
Following a holding call that put the ball back to the 35-yard line, Launey connected with a wide open Noah Soileau down the middle of the field, who out raced all Westminster defenders to the end zone for a 65 yard touchdown reception.
This time the extra point was good off of the foot of Launey, putting the Trojans up 40-0 with 11:52 left in the game. From that point on, Sacred Heart emptied the bench, allowing the younger players to get into the homecoming action.
On the night, Launey was 11 for 19 passing for 187 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran the ball eight times for 57 yards and two scores.
Gotro carried the ball six times for 57 yards and two touchdowns, while Noah Soileau led all receivers with two catches for 71 yards and a score.