Pine Prairie picks up its first win on the season against Pearl River

Pearl River with a record of 2-0 meandered from the banks of the river bearing the same name to the banks of Bayou Nezpique for a matchup against the 0-2 Panthers. The visitors beat a Pine team 20-19 in week 1 then came back in week 2 and pummeled Sci Academy 47-6. The home team came in after suffering defeats to Bunkie and Beau Chene.

"We came out and played a good first half," said head coach Yves Prince of his Pine Prairie team against Beau Chene. "And if we can put two halves together and be successful, then we have a great chance of winning the ballgame (tonight). We got Douglas Fontenot back tonight, and we got a chance to move the ball with Douglas and Dylan (Doucet) tonight."

Prince got exactly what he was looking for and more as his team picked up its first win of the season by a score of 32-31. The Panther offense was sparked by the thunder and lightening duo of Douglas Fontenot and Dylan Doucet. Fontenot in the first half collected 103 yards rushing and 141 yards on kick returns. He finished the night with 180 yards rushing and 166 yards on kick returns. Doucet at quarterback added 84 rushing yards on the night.

With Pine Prairie down 31-26 with 7:55 remaining on the clock in the game, Pearl River took over at the 43 yard line. Tucker Deshotel sacked the Rebel quarterback for a loss of 5. The Rebels were later penalized 5 yards for false start setting up 2nd and 20. Then on 3rd and 20, the pass down field was broken up and almost intercepted by Dylan Doucet.

The punt went out of bounds as the Panthers took over at their own 42 yard line. Dylan Doucet picked up a first down on a quarterback sneak to the 40 yard line of Pearl River. Joshua Fontenot then ran up the middle for another 1st down. On fourth down as the drive appeared to stall, Dylan Doucet with another keeper rushed for a gain of enough real estate for a first down and more setting up 1st and 10 at the 16 yard line. It was 2nd and 9 after a Douglas Fontenot run. After a Pine Prairie time out Doucet ran down the near side for a 15 yard touchdown. The score after a failed two-point conversion attempt was 32-31 with :59 in the game. Devin Leggett forced a turnover for the Pantherts, and they went into victory formation with 31 seconds remaining on the clock to preseve the victory.

"Douglas is not in shape at the moment, but I'll tell you what he did a great job tonight," said his head coach after the game. "And I thank the Lord for having him back. It's a big boost to the team. Our offensive line came around... and we played good defense."

"We came from behind to win. To come from behind against a 4-A school, I think we're headed in the right direction."

The thunder and lighteing show started with Dylan Doucet returning the kick near to midfield following a Rebel touchdown that made the score 7-0 with 2:50 remaining in the first quarter, but offsetting penallties resulted in a rekick. Douglas Fontenot on the rekick returned it 65 yards to the Rebel 15 yard line for 1st and 10 putting the wheels in motion to set up the tying score as Doucet kept the football himself.

Douglas Fontenot began the second quarter with another kickoff return for 79 yards down to the Rebel 13 yard line. Josh Fontenot then would pick up a 1st down at the 1-yard line for 1st and goal. Pine Prairie scored another touchdown on a quarterback keeper this time from a yard out. The two point conversion went incomplete so the scoreboard read 14-12 with 9:43 before halftime.
Douglas Fontenot found a couple seams a few possessions later for a touchdown carry of 78 yards as the first half clock expired. Pearl River lead 21-20 at the half. Dylan Doucet founds some seams of his own in the tbird quarter for a 54-yard touchdown run, but a holding penalty negated the score.


Following a Rebel field goal from 31 yards out to make the score 31-20, the Panthers began at the 50 yard line. Doucet's pass appeared to be complete to Joshua Fontenot for a Panther 1st down, but it was ruled incomplete as the pass hit the ground on the reception. Douglas Fontenot again found the endzone after a gain of 45 yards.

"Next week is Mamou," added Prince after the game. "And it's at home again, and we play Tara another 4-A school. So we got a chance to win the next two games and get ready for district."