VC wins district title after beating Central Catholic

Winning a district title at Vermilion Catholic is somewhat expected, kind of like comparing it to the University of Alabama winning a national football championship.
Well, the 2021 VC Eagles did not disappoint. They continued the streak by winning a fifth straight district title after whipping the Central Catholic Eagles, 32-20, Thursday night in Morgan City.
The Eagles complete the regular season at 7-3 overall and 5-0 in District 8-1A. Central Catholic falls to 6-4 and 4-1 in the district.
The LHSAA will announce the playoff pairings Sunday. VC will get a home game in the first round.
VC head coach Broc Prejean was thrilled that his team went from 2-3 on the year and then won five straight to claim the district title.
“As an alumnus who is fortunate to be the head coach, it means a lot,” said Prejean about winning the district title. “District titles are still important no matter what anyone says. We are proud to hold one up again this year.”
Two VC seniors are glad they can continue the tradition of winning district titles.
“At VC it is expected to win a district title,” said senior Ashton Belaire. “But our goal is higher. We want to win a state championship. So I want to take that extra step.”
Linebacker Thomas Bellaire said, “It is amazing to win the district title. As a senior, it is how you want to go out.”
Central Catholic, who last beat VC five years ago, gave the VC Eagles all it could handle in the first half. At halftime, the score was 13-12.
Tailback Jonathan Dartez had TD runs of 1- and 7 yards in the first half.
Two minutes into the third period, Dartez had a 61-yard TD run that put VC on top for at least six minutes. Central Catholic marched 77 yards and ate up six minutes on the clock, resulting in a touchdown that tied the game 20-20.
However, VC regrouped and took up shop at its own 39-yard line with 3:11 to play in the third period. Seth Nogel, who finished the game with 147 yards rushing and two scores, had a huge 20-yard run, and on another run, 15 yards were tacked on because of a face mask penalty on CCHS.
Noegel ran 15 yards for a touchdown two plays later, and the Eagles were ahead 26-20.
VC scored again on its next possession in the fourth period. They marched 55 yards in six plays. The big play on the drive was a 32-yard pass play from quarterback Mikie Bazar to Dartez.
Bazar completed 8-out-of-15 passes for 107 yards and no touchdowns.
All five of VC’s TDs were on the ground.
Dartez rushed six times for 88 yards and he scored three TDs. He also had three catches for 75 yards.
Ethan Landry had three catches for 17 yards.
Travin Moore had eight carries for 52 yards and a touchdown.