Vermilion Catholic is Dome-Bound again

 The No. 1 Vermilion Catholic Eagles punched their ticket to the Superdome Friday with a 33-0 shellacking of the No. 12 Kentwood Kangaroos in the semifinals of the Select Division IV playoffs at Eagle Stadium. 
VC (13-0) will play the No. 11 Ouachita Christian Eagles in the Select Division IV state finals on Thursday at noon in the Caesars Superdome.  Ouachita Christian defeated No. 2 Ascension Catholic 24-22 in their semifinal matchup.  
Eagles head coach Broc Prejean was pleased with his team’s performance. He thought they matched the Kangaroos’ physicality and executed the game plan to perfection. He was especially happy that they got to celebrate their semifinal victory on their home field with their family, friends, and Eagle Nation.
  “The kids hit every checkpoint that we had for them all week in terms of how we wanted this thing to play out,” Prejean said.  “Scoreboard aside, Kentwood played a tremendously physical game.  We had to be up to that task, and we were.
 “I’m hoping this is our second biggest win this year.  We want next week to be the biggest one, but we’ll enjoy tonight.  These kids have earned that.  It’s beautiful to be out here watching everybody give hugs.  It’s such a unique experience that not everyone gets to see.  I’m just proud to be a part of it.  Hats off to our coaches, players, and community.”
Once again, VC put its offense on the back of quarterback Jonathan Dartez.  The senior didn’t disappoint, rushing 40 times for 213 yards and four touchdowns.  He also completed six passes for 102 yards and another touchdown.
Dartez became the Louisiana Career Total (passing and rushing) Touchdown Leader with 173 during the game.  He passed Ju’ Juan Johnson of Lafayette Christian, who had 171.
“I’m at a loss for words,” Dartez said.  “It’s been four years, and all the hard work has paid off.  I’m happy I have a legacy at VC, and this team now has one.  That’s what I’m most proud of.”
 Not to be outdone, the Eagle defense pitched a shutout, stopping Kentwood twice on fourth down and goal to go to preserve the goose egg.  According to senior linebacker Allen McLain III, that resulted from their preparation.
“It was very important for us to keep them from scoring,” McLain said.  “We had it in our minds that we had to put in the most work this week.  The defense stepped up big time.  To get the shutout in the semifinals feels really good.”
 VC took the lead for good 4:19 into the game when Dartez capped off the opening drive with a 16-yard scamper to the left corner of the end zone.  The extra point made it 7-0 VC with 7:41 let in the first quarter.
 Dartez struck twice in the second quarter.  He dove in from the one-yard-line with 9:48 left in the half to put the Eagles ahead 13-0.  Then, with 7:32 to play, he tied the state career touchdown record when he broke free down the right sideline for a 35-yard touchdown run.  The extra point made it 20-0 at the half.
 Dartez went to the air to break the record in the third quarter.  On fourth and three, he found Will Simon in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown and a 27-0 lead with 4:13 to play.  He scored a career touchdown 173 with 11:17 to go in the game when he ran it in from 14 yards out to provide the final margin.
   While the Kangaroos didn’t score, they made VC earn it.  Kentwood had zero turnovers and eight penalties for only 47 yards.  The Eagles had to get stops on defense and finish drives on offense.  Prejean believes a similar performance will be necessary to win the state championship next week.
“We’re a complete football team in all the right ways,” Prejean said.  “We have some things to fix, but what a performance.  Back-to-back performances really, going back to last week.  We’re going for the hat trick next week.  But first, we’re going to enjoy tonight.”