Taking a big bite

Ville Platte runs past Pine Prairie on homecoming
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VILLE PLATTE – The Ville Platte Bulldog took a big bite into Pine Prairie Panthers and into their playoff bid hopes Friday night as they blew past the Panthers 53-18 in their homecoming win.
With the win, Ville Platte improved to 3-6 on the season and 1-3 in district play. The Bulldogs will travel to Prairie Rhonde this Friday to take on the Northwest Raiders.
With the loss, Pine Prairie fell to 0-9 on the year and 0-4 in district play. The Panthers host the Iota Bulldogs Friday night in their last game of the season.
After the game, Ville Platte head coach Jorie Randle expressed some positivity and some concerns in his team’s win.
“Our offensive line did a tremendous job tonight getting our backs free from some big plays,” stated Randle. “Defensively, we started a little slow, but, once went made the adjustments back to the game plan, we were able to hold back their offense.”
“The only concern I have tonight is our special teams,” Randle continued. “We are averaging one kickoff return for a touchdown a game. We have to correct that if we hope to win this coming week.”
Ville Platte began with the football following the opening kickoff at their 43-yard line. However the Bulldogs could do nothing with the possession and were forced to punt it away.
On the punt, Ville Platte caused a fumble and recovered the ball at the Pine Prairie 35-yard line. Seven plays later, quarterback Terrian Roy found Kyle Williams at the two-yard line on a seam pass, and Williams plunged into the end zone for the score. The extra point by Jacolin Roberts was good, giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 5:01 to go in the first quarter.
Pine Prairie got the ball back at its 37-yard line on the ensuing kickoff. The Panthers then took the ball down the field on a methodical drive that ate up the rest of the quarter.
Facing a third and seven from the Ville Platte 28-yard line, Panther quarterback Branson Fontenot hit Elijah George around the 30-yard line for the completed pass. From there, George weaved his way into the end zone, giving Pine Prairie its first points of the night.
The extra point was no good, however, with 11:54 to go in the second quarter, the lead was cut down to one, 7-6, in favor of the Bulldogs.
From that point on, the points began to pile up. Pine Prairie retained possession of the ball on the following kickoff after recovering a fumble.
But, the Panthers would not have it very long, as Pine Prairie fumbled the ball back on an option play. The ball was scooped up by Ville Platte’s Ja’Kwon Fontenot at mid-field. Fontenot then sprinted his way across the goal line for the score.
Roberts tacked on the extra point and with 11:37 to go in the first half Ville Platte led 14-6.
It did not take Pine Prairie long to get on the board once again as George took the ensuing kick off 75-yard for the touchdown. The extra point was no good making it 14-12 in favor of Ville Platte with 11:23 to go in the second quarter.
Ville Platte responded on its very next possession. After receiving the kickoff and bringing the ball up their 29-yard line, running back Jahmal Byers picked up eight yards on first down.
One play later, Byers was off to the races for a 63-yard scoring run. The extra point was no good, however Ville Platte now held a 20-12 lead with 10:20 to go in the second quarter.
Ville Platte forced Pine Prairie to punt the ball away on the Panthers’ ensuing possession. A good punt return by Byers put the ball at the Pine Prairie 36-yard line.
Terrian Roy collected 22 yards on first down and Byers did the rest, running the ball across the goal line from 14 yards out. With the Roberts extra point, Ville Platte now led 27-12 with 6:26 left in the half.
Following another failed Panther possession, the Bulldogs took over at the Pine Prairie 29-yard line after a Panther punt. On the very first play that followed, Roy busted loose for a 29 yard touchdown run. Roberts tacked on the extra point and with 3:48 to go in the half, Ville Platte led 34-12.
The Bulldogs added another score on their next possession. After the ball was snapped over the Panther punters’ head, the Bulldogs took over at the Pine Prairie three-yard line. One play later Roy found the end zone making it a 40-12 game as the teams headed into the locker room.
With running time in the second half, Ville Platte scored two more times; once on a one yard run by Ernest Roberts and the other on a 67 yard run by Roy.
Pine Prairie’s lone score in the second half came on an 11 yard pass from Fontenot to Ortis with 33 seconds to go in the game. The extra point was no good and the game ended with Ville Platte on top 53-18.