2 weeks Ago
Cecilia quarterback Diesel Solari scored four different ways in the Bulldogs' demolition of the Northside Vikings on Friday. Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Senior Diesel Solari scored a touchdown in four different ways, and sophomore Braylon Calais added three TDs in less than four minutes - all in the first half at Cecilia on Friday. And Ellis Stewart returned the second half kickoff for a TD, one of two 50-plus yard returns for the senior as the Bulldogs routed the Northside Vikings 64-25 in a non-district matchup of local Class 4A programs.
Northside (1-2) started out in a hole, receiving the opening kickoff and going three-and-out with three false start penalties on an ill-fated possession that ended when UL commitment Brent Gordon blocked a punt that Solari recovered in the end zone. "We knew we were going to block it from practice," Solari said. "Brent had a wide-open gap.
" Cecilia (2-1) scored 50 points in the first half. Solari threw a 19-yard TD pass to Gordon, who caught a two-point conversion pass from Collin Dore after the first score. Solari, who rushed for 151 yards in the first half on nine carries, sprinted 81 yards for a 22-0 lead with 2:13 to go in the first quarter.
"We'll throw it to him next week," Bulldogs coach Dennis Skains joked about Solari, who also reached the end zone on a 90-yard kick return on the final play of the first half. On the previous play, TJ Isadore's kick return brought Northside within 43-13. Calais, a highly-rated prospect who is expected to play receiver in college, gained 60 yards on six carries with two TDs and caught a 47-yard swing pass from Solari for a score.
The 6-foot-2, 190-pounder's 16-yard run made it 29-7 at the 7:00 mark of the second quarter. Once (Northside) started hitting me, it pumped my adrenaline up," he said. "I felt like I needed to run the ball like a horse, and I did.
On the pass play, I liked being able to use my jets and athleticism to get to the outside." Solari beamed with pride when asked about Calais: "I'm calling it right now," he said. "Senior year, he'll be a five-star.
..number one in the nation.
He's a dog. Just don't make him mad because he runs harder." Northside, after two three-and-outs, drove to the Cecilia 20 and turned the ball over on downs.
Junior tailback Ja'Nathan Bonnet, who is also the punter, ran 15 yards on fourth-and-nine to get the Vikings across midfield. The drive eventually stalled, however. Bonnet, who finished with 11 touches for 56 yards, scored on a one-yard run to make it 22-7 early in the second quarter.
Linebacker Jekaven Felix recovered a botched Cecilia snap on the next possession to give the Vikings good field position at the CHS 42, but another three-and-out ensued. NHS quarterback Jaylin Williams, who came into the game among the area's passing leaders, completed 12 of 23 attempts for 266 yards. Javante Broussard caught four passes for 127 yards, including an 86-yard TD grab in the fourth quarter.
Taiten Arceneaux hauled in a 39-yard TD from Williams in the third quarter. "We're giving up too many big plays," Skains said. "That's not the sign of a great defense.
If we want to continue to play and compete with the big boys, we're going to have to shore it up on defense and do a better job." CHS sophomore defensive Demarcus Babineaux recovered a loose ball on a kickoff that led to a first half TD. Senior offensive lineman Christian Menard pummeled a Northside defender for a pancake block near the home sideline that drew appreciative gasps from the crowd.
Gordon exited the game in the second half with a lower body injury and didn't return. Skains said the preliminary indication was that the senior reinjured a minor ailment and should be ready for next week's showdown at undefeated Class 5A Central-BR. Northside kicks off District 4-4A action next week at home vs.
North Vermilion (1-2)..
