VILLE PLATTE -- The Church Point Bears dismantled the Ville Platte Bulldogs in the Bears’ 53-7 victory Friday night. The Bulldogs had countless struggles on both sides of the field that ultimately lead to their blowout.
Ville Platte fell to 2-6 on the season and 0-3 in district play. They will host the Pine Prairie Panthers Friday for their next district contest.
Despite having the ball first, Ville Platte made little progress up the field and was forced to punt the ball over after three quick plays.
Church Point showed its run dominance very early on, with a total of 58 rush yards on their first drive. The Bears’ rushing effort was able to get them to the Bulldogs’ four-yard line.
Rodney Dupuis found just enough space to bring Church Point its first touchdown of the game. The Bears went for two, but the attempt was stuffed. However, the Bears still struck first blood, holding a 6-0 advantage with 5:02 left in the quarter.
Starting their next possession on their eight-yard line, the Bulldogs’ next drive definitely did no good for Ville Platte. The Bulldogs were unable to march past their 20-yard line and were forced to punt it over once again.
The Bears, on the other hand, started off their drive with great field position, at the Bulldog 45-yard line. The clock wound into the second quarter during the Bears’ four play drive.
Church Point took the ball to the 23-yard line, where Gavin Richard ran the distance to the goal line. Will Fontenot tacked on the extra point, putting the Bears up 13-0 with 11:52 left in the second quarter.
The Bulldogs continued their hardships into their next drive with another three and out.
Church Point attempted to show off their passing prowess, but the Ville Platte secondary gave the Bears a ton of difficulties. Facing a fourth and seven at the Ville Platte 36-yard line, Church Point tried for a pass again, but the ball was picked off by Bulldog defender Tyler Jones and returned right back to the 36-yard line.
Despite the big play, Ville Platte could not find success on the drive and was forced to kick the ball over.
Big runs from Bears’ running backs Kollin Guillory and
Dupuis were enough to open up a solid drive. Richard capped things off with a 19-yard run around the left side for another Church Point touchdown. The extra point was blocked by Ville Platte, keeping the score at 19-0 with 3:26 left in the half.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Bulldog returner fumbled the ball, allowing Guillory to scoop up the ball and return it 80 yards for a Bears’ score. The two point attempt was run in by Dupuis, putting Church Point up 27-0 with 3:08 remaining.
Ville Platte’s struggles still weren’t over, fumbling the ball on the second play of their next drive. This time Dupuis was able to take the ball 40 yards for a Bears’ touchdown. The two point attempt was no good, and the Church Point lead grew to 33-0 with 2:02 left in the first half.
Ville Platte did make some magic happen off the back of a 66-yard touchdown run from Jahmal Byers just before the half ended. Jacolin Roberts tacked on the extra point for the Bulldogs, setting the score at 33-7 with 48 seconds left in the second quarter. That is how the half ended.
The Bears continued to own the game in the second half, scoring three more times. A 34-yard run from Dupuis and a seven yard run from Brandt Boone in the 3rd quarter, extended Church Point’s lead to 47-7 after two successful extra points.
A one yard run from Takel Wiltz in the fourth quarter finished out the scoring for the Bears.
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SYLIS MANUEL Staff Writer