Bulldogs suffer first loss against Southern Lab

Southern Lab was devastated by LHSAA penalties right before the season began. As a result, their coaching staff experienced a mass exodus.

But fortunately for the Kittens, their players didn't go anywhere, and those players are good. They're really good.

Ninth-ranked Ascension Catholic found that out on Friday night as they were dominated by the visiting Kittens in a key District 6-1A matchup, 30-8.

The Bulldogs could never get anything going offensively. They were held to just over 100 yards of total offense, and their only score of the game came on a punt return late in the loss.

This was uncharacteristic of Ascension Catholic--who came into the matchup a perfect 6-0 for the first time since 1968. In those six games, they were averaging 48 points per contest.

Southern Lab came into the game with just a 2-4 record, but all four of their losses were against upper-classification schools. In their one game against a 1A team, they hung up 80 on St. John.

Because of an array of rules violations over the past few years, the Kittens were hammered by the LHSAA.

They were forced to vacate their two state title wins of the past two years. Also, head coach Marcus Randall and his assistants were suspended for a whole season, prompting the school to fire them.

Darrell Asberry was hired as the new head coach with just a week to prepare his new team for the season.

Though the coaching staff was gutted by the sanctions, none of the Kitten players were ruled ineligible.

They proved that they're still the team to beat in District 6-1A on Friday night.

Southern Lab took a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter when they put together a 12-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off by an eight-yard touchdown run by Ty Davis.

Midway into the second quarter, they stretched the lead to 12-0 after a 12-play, 81-yard drive culminated in a two-yard touchdown run by Davis.

The Kitten defense then got into the act.

On Ascension Catholic's ensuing possession, an errant option pitch was recovered by Christopher Welch in the end zone to put Southern Lab ahead, 18-0.

And right before the half, the Kittens quickly marched 77 yards downfield in just five plays. A two-yard touchdown run by Charvis Thornton gave them a commanding 24-0 lead at the break.

Southern Lab finished off their scoring late in the third quarter when an eight-play, 70-yard drive ended with a five-yard touchdown run by Davis.

Ascension Catholic finally scored late in the contest when Jamar Barber broke loose on a 32-yard punt return for a touchdown.

Southern Lab rolled up 213 rushing yards. Davis had 116 of those yards.

Quarterback Quincy Mitchell added 142 yards through the air.

Meanwhile, Ascension Catholic was held to 113 total yards. Forty-two of those yards came on a single fourth-quarter run by Jai Williams.

The Bulldogs had just five yards passing.

The Kittens have been a tough hurdle for Ascension Catholic since joining District 6-1A. They have beaten the Bulldogs four straight times since joining the league.

Ascension Catholic will try to bounce back this week as they hit the road to face White Castle. White Castle is just 1-5 and coming off of a 31-0 loss to Kentwood.