DONALDSONVILLE – Ascension Catholic rushed for over 400 yards on a sloppy turf in defeating Vermillion Catholic 37-13 last Friday night in a LHSAA Division IV select semifinal matchup at Floyd Boutte Stadium.
With the win, the Bulldogs return to the Mercedes-Benz Superdome next Thursday and a rematch with Lafayette Christian in the D-IV state championship game. LCA defeated the Bulldogs 10-0 last year in the title game.
Jai Williams led the vaunted Bulldogs rushing attack with 293 yards on 39 carries and three touchdowns. Jamar Barber added 75 rushing yards on nine carries while John Mire added two rushing touchdowns.
ACHS doubled the Eagles in first downs, 18-9, and out-gained them 435 yards to 232 yards.
Both teams scored first quarter touchdowns, including Williams’ 19-yard run and Ethan Lege’s 74-yard pass to Drew Lege.
With the score tied at 7-7 after the first quarter, heavy rains passed through Donaldsonville turning the turf into a muddy mess.
The next points came with eight minutes left in the first half when the Bulldog’s Dillion Davis tackled Drew Lege in the end zone for a safety.
Mire added to the home team lead with a 6-yard run and the Eagles responded on the first play of the ensuing drive with another Lege-to-Lege touchdown covering 72-yards to trim the Bulldogs lead to 15-13 at the half.
The opening drive of the third quarter featured Williams with six straight carries that covered 75 yards, and the final carry of the drive, a 9-yard touchdown run.
While VCHS struggled to handle the weather conditions, they were limited to 38 yards in the second half, the Bulldogs added two late scores to put the game away.
Mire’s 1-yard touchdown run put the home team up 30-13 late in the third quarter and the final tally came on Williams’ 8-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Mason Zeringue and Brock Acosta each had an interception for the Bulldogs.