<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Acadiana overcame a slow start Friday — just as it had on the season overall — to come back and beat rival Carencro for the second straight week and an eighth straight victory overall to advance in the playoffs.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Wreckin' Rams turned the tables on the Bears with a dominant third quarter to take control of the eventual 29-21 win and punch their ticket to the second round of the Division-I Select bracket.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Here's a look at several of the eye-catching standouts from the contest. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='934589' first='Collin' last='DiBetta'] — 5-11, 170 WR/ATH — Acadiana (2027)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The move earlier this season to get the junior receiver more quarterback reps was among the most notable sparks for the Wreckin' Rams' big turnaround from an 0-3 start to an eight-game win streak. And DiBetta's effectiveness running the offense was again a difference-maker Friday, highlighted by a well-placed touchdown throw on a wheel out to his left and then a long dash to the end zone that flashed his speed and helped Acadiana close out the victory.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1237761' first='Travis' last='Gallien'] — 6-3, 200 WR/ATH — Acadiana (2026)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Another of the major storylines of the Wreckin' Rams ascendent season, the promising wide receiver being granted his LHSAA eligibility has proven to be a boost on both sides of the ball. Gallien opened the game Friday with a highlight-reel interception on the first play from scrimmage, tracking the attempted throwaway and managing to corral it in-bounds with a toe-tap along the sideline. And he continued to showcase his athleticism and versatility with plays as a pass-catcher, ball-carrier and kick returner.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Ty Lamartina — 6-0, 190 ATH — Acadiana (2026)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Lamartina opened the season at quarterback before accepting and excelling in a role as a more versatile weapon on offense and multi-phase playmaker, including Friday a goal-line rushing touchdown and a critical onside-kick recovery late. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Dion Simon — 5-9, 185 RB — Acadiana (2026)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The senior was the Wreckin' Rams' most productive running back, including touchdowns as both a ball-carrier on a short goal-line run and a receiver on the wheel out to the left sideline to catch a DiBetta pass in stride en route to the end zone. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1684265' first='Taveian' last='Landry'] — 6-0, 180 DB — Acadiana (2026)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>and <strong>Gavin Hisaw — 5-9, 175 DB — Acadiana (2026)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The senior defensive backs were among the disruptive leaders of the Acadiana defense, Hisaw helping spearhead pressure off the edge right out of the gate to help force the early throw Gallien intercepted and Landry slipping his way into the backfield on a few occasions.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='920606' first='Darryus' last='McKinley'] — 6-3, 275 DL — Acadiana (2026)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The LSU commit was a clear focal point for Carencro's blockers, but even battling double-teams at times managed to work his way free enough to make his presence felt.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='710967' first='Chantz' last='Babineaux'] — 6-0, 185 ATH — Carencro (2026)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Nicholls State commitment stood out as much as any athlete on the field not only for some of the biggest plays in all three phases — a 69-yard touchdown catch, a deep interception and a long kickoff return — but for his consistency of plays from start to finish all over the field on both sides of the ball. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1372164' first='Carson' last='Gurzi'] — 6-1, 200 QB — Carencro (2028) </strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The sophomore quarterback did a nice job eluding the rush at times, extending plays to the outside and still finding targets downfield, and continued to battle not only from play to play, but late in the game to help the Bears keep scratching back down late. Gurzi even hauled in a reception from Babineaux at one point through a hard hit.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1618861' first='Brandon' last='Duffy Jr.'] — 6-1, 175 WR/ATH — Carencro (2028)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1238190' first='Kendrick' last='Bernard'] — 5-10, 185 WR — Carencro (2026)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Duffy and Bernard were other go-to targets for Gurzi and Babineaux and each found the end zone: Duffy on a well-run play near the goal line to get a quick step on the defender and make a leaping catch into the end zone, and Bernard highlighting the Bears' final scoring drive with both its biggest play and the subsequent touchdown.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='409932' first='Hayden' last='Monroe'] — 6-4, 220 EDGE — Carencro (2028)</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The sophomore athlete has filled out notably into an increasingly effective defensive end for his Bears, including a highlight Friday of a sack just before halftime to help disrupt an Acadiana drive before it could get going and help preserve a Carencro lead at the break. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
Acadiana overcame a slow start Friday — just as it had on the season overall — to come back and beat rival Carencro for the second straight week and an eighth straight victory overall to advance in the playoffs.
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in