by Malcolm Butler
Ruston High coach Jerrod Baugh used the word big to describe the Bearcat defense’s goal-line stand midway through the fourth quarter in the 31-17 win over Zachary in the Nonselect Division I state title game Saturday night.
Big may not be a big enough word.
With Ruston clinging to a 24-17 advantage in the fourth quarter at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, the Ruston High defense showed why many consider it the top unit in the state.
It was a Zachary drive that started with 2:24 to play in the third quarter on the Broncos own 23-yard line. It consisted of 17 plays and ate almost seven minutes off the game clock.
Eight runs. Nine pass plays. Six first downs.
It was a methodical drive by a high caliber Broncos offense against a physical Bearcats defense.
But in the end, it was the Bearcats defense that won that battle and ultimately the championship war.
“That was very, very big,” said Baugh when asked about the goal-line stand during the post-game press conference.
We all knew coming into the 2023 season that the Ruston defense had the potential to be historically good. A championship quality unit.
So many starters back from a dominating unit that led Ruston to the 2022 state title game, guys who came up just short in a 17-10 loss to Destrehan.
But not this time.
With the Ruston lead in jeopardy, the Bearcat defense stood tall.
First down and goal from the seven-yard line. Fourth quarter. Game on the line.
The Bearcats stuffed Broncos running back Kameron Thomas on first down thanks to an assisted tackle by Ahmad Breaux and Peyton Bell.
“We really leaned on our defense quite a bit throughout the season,” said Baugh.
Second down and goal.
Thomas rushed for three yards down to the Ruston four-yard line before Jadon Mayfield made one of his game-high 12 tackles.
“We really put our defense in some tough spots this year,” said Baugh.
Third down and goal.
Incomplete pass broken up by Jacoryian Crowe on a slant route to Tyson George.
“(Our defense) was kind of used to having its back against the wall,” said Baugh.
Fourth down and goal. Timeout Ruston.
Everyone in the Dome knew what was coming. Zachary 6-foot-7, 230-pound wideout Trey’Dez Green, an LSU commit, had already caught a TD on a “jump ball” in the third quarter.
Yes. Everyone knew what was coming, but Ruston would still have to stop it.
The Broncos had only one choice on fourth down. And they took it.
“We talked about (kicking a field goal), but 50-50 balls with my man (Trey’Dez) … I am going to take that chance every time,” said Zachary head coach David Brewerton.
But Broncos QB Hudson Spangler’s fade pass to Green in the back of the endzone was incomplete as Ruston corner Aidan Anding played physical with the giant wideout, not allowing him to make a play on the ball.
Turnover on downs.
“(Our defense) made plays when they had to,” said Baugh.
Maybe none bigger than those four on the goal-line stand that preserved the lead and the state title for the Bearcats.
