R/L Game Of The Week – Central High Baton Rouge Wildcats vs Plaquemine GreenDevils
Cover photo: Jonathan Swift Central Baton Rouge taken by Jo Eddlemon, Recruit Louisiana
Long time tradition, cool clear evening air, and fall football. What more could you want for the evening as the Central Wildcats traveled to Plaquemine to take on the Green Devils of Plaquemine High School.
What was set to be an offensive fire power of a game turned out to be a defensive struggle early for the two teams. Winning the turnover battle was key in Central’s victory but not without a slew of yellow flags that covered the field most of the night.
It was a physical fight and one that players from both teams took pride in during the game.
Plaquemine would score first on a 5 yard scamper by Junior running back Kobe Major to take an early lead, extra point no good, 6-0
The game would then turn into a defensive battle and a question of who was going to win the turnover battle between the two teams.
With the Green Devils on the move, Senior Safety Da’Veawn Armstead – Central of Baton Rouge, picked off Butler. It was one of his four interceptions on the night for the Wildcats.(One was called back on penalty)
Plaquemine returned the defensive favor as they made a big stop and looked to get the ball back for their offense Central followed with an offensive penalty that pushed them back to the 17 yard line. The Green Devil’s forced the Wildcats to a FG that was no good and Plaquemine took over on downs and kept the score at 6-0 late in the first half.
Central defense again stepped up and got the ball back to their offense. Junior QB Jonathan Swift took command and got a big first down for the Wildcats taking the ball down to the 30 yard line. Central was knocking on the door with 7:58 left in the first half with Plaquemine holding on to the tight lead 6-0. Plaquemine’s defense again would make a stand and force Central to turn the ball over on downs.
With a minute left in the first half and Plaquemine with the ball, Central forces a fumble on the first play from scrimmage. Central recovers the ball at the 10 yard line. Jonathan Swift would then punch the ball into the endzone with 3 seconds left in the first half, giving the Wildcats their first lead of the night 7-6 (extra point no good) That would be your half time score.
The second half would be an adventure of the “yellow laundry” as there would be numerous penalties for holding, unsportsmanlike conduct, etc. The amount of laundry would have made Tide very happy.
With 7:58 left in the 3rd Qtr, Plaquemine’s Sophomore QB Devin Butler would use a good play fake and then go off the right side the go into the endzone untouched for the touchdown. Plaquemine would regain the lead 12-7.
Central, taking over on the ensuring kickoff, would then go through a barrage of penalties and yardage up and down the field but the offense would stall and they would turn the ball back over to the Green Devils.
On the next offensive possession for Plaquemine, Junior RB Kobe Major would take a handoff from Butler, hit the hole hard and scamper down the field to get the ball inside of the 5, setting up a 1st and goal for the Green Devils.
Central defense would make a huge stand and Plaquemine decided to go for it on 4th down with the ball at the half yard line. Plaquemine with a quick play from the line of scrimmage would be flagged for illegal procedure which Central declined resulting in Central taking over on downs at the 1 yard line.
With Central’s offense back on the field and with a renewed energy, from the huge defensive stop by Central’s defense, Junior QB Jonathan Swift would line up in the endzone, take the snap, drop back, and deliver a much needed completion to Senior WR Malik Hillard. Hillard’s dramatic high point catch moved the ball out to the 20 yard line for the Wildcats and a first down.
With the game winding down the Green Devils still held on to a tight lead to end the 3rd Qtr 12 to 7 over the Central Wildcats of Baton Rouge. But the Swift and Hillard connection was not finished. Swift again connected with Hillard for a big gain to bring the Wildcats down to the 45 yard line and another 1st down.
Swift would then complete a screen pass to Senior RB Pierce Patterson, who would be off down the sideline for a Wildcat touchdown. But hold the cheers as the play was negated by a holding call. Now it is 3rd down 2 at the 35. More laundry on the field as another flag was flying. Swift continue to work hard during the drive as he used his legs this time to pick up the first down and move the sticks to the 33 yard line.
On the next play from scrimmage more laundry as dual penalties were called on the Green Devils, Pass interference and roughing the passer. Central takes the roughing call and moves the ball 15 yards to the 19 yard line. Tack on an offsides penalty by Plaquemine and the Wildcats are now down inside the Red Zone.
Next play from scrimmage, here comes Senior RB Pierce Patterson, rumbling and stumbling into the endzone for a Wildcat Touchdown. Coach Sid Edwards immediately calls for 2 for the extra point to make it a 3 point game. The 2pt conversion is good as Swift finds Patterson in the endzone. Patterson makes a remarkable one handed snag as the ball was thrown slightly behind him. Central takes the lead 15-12 with 9:06 left in the game. Patterson lead all rushers for Central with 123 yards and a TD on 26 carries and a 2pt conversion.
Central’s defense takes the field looking to make a big stand and that they do. Big stop by #45 for Central, Senior DL Tyler Scott who makes the tackle in the backfield for a loss of two, making it 3rd and 12 for the Green Devils, Next play from scrimmage for Plaquemine, Butler is intercepted again by Senior 3-Star Safety Da’veawn Armstead . Armstead takes the interception down to the 2nd yard line setting up the Central offense for a 1st down and goal.
Jonathan Swift would use a quarterback keep, going off the right side to put the ball into the endzone for Central to extend their lead 21-12 with 6:32 left in the game. (Extra Point Blocked)
That would be your final score for the game as the Central Wildcats of Baton Rouge, LA would hold on to defeat the Plaquemine GreenDevils 21-12.
Player of the Game: 2021 3 Star DB Da’veawn Armstead who had 4 picks on the night however one was called back on a penalty. He was certainly showing his talent tonight!
Armstead garners offers from Tulane, Arkansas St, Colorado, Indiana, UL, La Tech, ULM, McNeese, SLU, Memphis, Purdue, SMU, WKU, Houston, FAU, PVAM, Southern, HBU
