As Lafayette Christian Academy football’s defensive back Sky Ryan ran down the sideline, you could feel the tide shift into the Knights' favor.
It was the senior's backbreaking 75-yard, pick-six that sealed the deal in LCA’s Week 8 district matchup against Loreauville. With that score, the Knights defeated the Tigers 23-6, solidifying themselves as the lone undefeated team in Class 2A District 8 play.
“We were in a specific coverage, and they motion to the side, but he ended up coming right back to their main receiver and I knew I had to get it,” Ryan said of his pick-six. “I just jumped it, honestly, I caught the ball and it was off to the races.”
With the win, LCA knocked off the only other team standing in their way of a championship in a new district. Here are the key takeaways from the Knights and Tigers showdown.
LCA’s defense dictates the game
Going into the matchup, LCA head coach Matt Standiford preached about executing in all three phases of the game. The Knights’ defense took the message to heart as they were stingy all game long against a run-heavy Loreauville team.
Leading the charge defensively were Ryan, defensive edges Joseph Adams and Josh Wilson, and linebacker Kaleb Simon. In the first half, Wilson and Simon combined for 18 tackles, with Simon setting a new school record — becoming LCA’s leader in total tackles. Adams also broke a school record for the most tackles for loss in program history.
“I thought our defense came to play, espcially in the second half,” Standiford said. “When the game was 7-6 at half time it could have gone either way. And as crazy as it sounds, I had total confidence knowing our defense was going to go out there and respond.”s
Defense led to offense for the Knigths, with them making a living on the ground. Simon, running back Landon Prudhomme and junior Kyzer White led the rushing attack with Prudhomme as their leading rusher with around 70 yards and touchdown. Simon rushed for a five-yard touchdown, playing mainly on defense as the Knights two-way threat.
“I don’t know if I have enough words to say about Kaleb Simon,” Standiford said. “I don't think you’ll find a better linebacker in the state of Louisiana. Some college is going to get real lucky because they’re going to look and see that he’s 5-foot-10, and 190 pounds, and they’re going to take a chance on him and they’re gonna get a steal.”
Wake-up call for Loreauville
The Tigers were fighting an up-hill battle all night long against the Knights’ defense. Something longtime head coach Terry Martin foresaw heading into the matchup.
“That’s the best defense we’ve seen all year,” Martin said. “They got a couple of really good football players on that team. So, I mean, we knew we were going to struggle at some point. There’s not many plays you can call when the defense is that good.”
Junior running back Thomas Carter III did all he could to get through the waves of Knights defenders surrounding him every carry he got. Carter finished with the Tigers’ lone rushing touchdown from a yard out. With this loss, Martin and his staff are hoping it’s a wake-up call for their team ahead of the final home stretch of the regular season.
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Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: 'Our defense came to play': LCA football nearly shuts out Loreauville in Week 8