By Kyle Roberts
CADEVILLE, La. — Friday night saw a dominant performance for two quarters by the first string offense and defense for Ruston High (8-0, 3-0 District 2-5A) as the Bearcats took a 48-6 win over West Ouachita after scoring over forty points in the first half.
“I think our kids did exactly what we wanted them to do,” Baugh said about the first two quarters. “That’s what we talked about all week; making sure that we came out mentally prepared to execute our game plan. I thought early on, that’s what we did.”
Junior quarterback Josh Brantley impressed early on with some big throws down the field, finishing the night 4-of-7 through the air for 104 yards and a touchdown. Brantley also rushed in for a pair of scores, as well.
“Traditionally, West Ouachita has done a very good job inside controlling the running game,” Baugh said. “The plan going in was to spread it out a little bit, and they gave us some things to in the throwing game.”
The defense, however, would not be outshined: the Bearcats took away two fumbles early that led to touchdowns. Both linebackers Jadon Mayfield and Zheric Hill were credited with the fumble recoveries.
Sophomore Lander Smith scored the first of Ruston’s four first quarter touchdowns with a two yard rush at the 8:35 mark of the first quarter. Brantley ran his first touchdown of the night in from 27 yards out with 6:42 to go in the opening stanza.
Junior running back Jordan Hayes followed with a nine-yard touchdown run of his own at the 5:10 mark of the first, while Hill came in at the fullback spot for a one-yard touchdown run with 0:34 to go in the first quarter.
Brantley rushed in another one-yard run with 8:47 to go in the second quarter and followed at the end of the half with a beautiful touch throw to wide receiver Joran Parker from 20-yards out.
The Bearcats led at halftime 41-6, before Hayes scored his second touchdown of the night with 9:15 to play in the third.
The lowlight of the night came early in the third quarter following a West Ouachita punt to Ruston’s 40-yard line. At the end of the play, multiple players from both teams got into a near-brawl on the field. Due to Ruston’s lead of 42 points, the clock ran out the entire third quarter with the officials sorted out the penalties.
“I don’t really know exactly what transpired to cause the altercations,” Baugh said in the postgame interview. “I thought we did a decent job as coaches keeping the rest of the players on the sideline. Here’s what I know from my perspective: our kids need to do a better job of controlling themselves regardless of who’s at fault. It doesn’t make any difference. And we don’t want it to be our fault.
“I’ve watched a little bit of the video to see, but at the end of the day, we have to do a better job controlling our emotions. The game was out of hand and the clock was running.”
Baugh admitted that the fight will likely lead to suspensions of two to three players next week against Ouachita but was not able to specify who at the time. (Update: The LPJ confirmed Saturday morning that Zheric Hill, Semaj Jones and Aidan Anding will be out next week*).
The Bearcats out-gained West Ouachita 403 to 122 in total yards on the night, while maintaining a 28:19 to 19:41 edge in time of possession.
Hayes finished with 164 yards on 13 carries for an average of 12.6 yards per run. Parker hauled in two receptions for 39 yards.
Ruston returns to action Friday, Oct. 27, at home for senior night to take on the Ouachita Lions.
“It’s a really important night for our seniors to get out there for their last regular season home game,” Baugh said. “We’re hoping for a big crowd. We’re going to have to get oursevles prepared to play another ballgame.”
