Ouachita defeats Sterlington in showdown of reigning LHSAA champions
· Yahoo Sports
MONROE — Resiliency is a key component of the Ouachita Lions football program.
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There was motivation for the defending Division I nonselect champions heading into their contest against Sterlington, who won back-to-back D-III nonselect titles. Ouachita didn't want to extend its losing streak following last week's loss at Neville, so it practiced this week in the afternoon compared to its normal time in the morning. As the Lions practiced after school, they were more composed, hydrated and ready for a victory.
The Sterlington-Ouachita game exceeded expectations by going into overtime, and the Lions knocked the first blow with senior Carter McClinton's go-ahead touchdown. A rejuvenated Ouachita defense, which totaled three takeaways, sealed the victory with a goal-line stand as the team defeated Sterlington 28-21 on Friday, Sept. 25, at Lions Stadium.
McClinton, a Richwood transfer, also scored on Ouachita's opening drive. He was hoping Lions coach Leonard Ceaser would let him have the ball with the game on the line.
"There were a lot of runs (in the game) that I didn't capitalize and finish," McClinton said. "I just wanted to go ahead and finish on fourth down on the one-yard line like I know I could."
"In the offense, he's very explosive," junior quarterback Lester Watts said. "When you get the ball in his hands, he can do whatever you need him to do. He can get us first downs and pick up yards. He can make people miss and all that. I'm glad I have a person in the backfield like Carter McClinton."
Lions junior Nolan White's fourth-quarter interception was one of the game's biggest plays. Ceaser admires White's versatility, adding he could potentially be a wide receiver or running back if he was on another team. He particularly praised the secondary for making the necessary tackles and getting stops.
"Without those turnovers, I don't know how the game would look like right now," said senior Larry Cooper, who had a fumble recovery earlier in the fourth.
Ouachita (3-1) still has things to clean up moving forward, including limiting its penalties. Watts also threw a costly interception in the second quarter, and Ceaser said "some choice words" to his first-year signal caller after the play.
"It was something that we can't do," Ceaser said on the interception. "It was an RPO, and it was clear that wasn't the decision that he should have made. But after I fussed at him, I loved on him, because that's what I'm going to do. I'm (going to) coach him harder and love him harder."
Watts bounced back later in the half with his second touchdown of the night against Sterlington (2-2). The Panthers rallied from a 14-0 second-quarter deficit against the Lions with two total touchdowns from senior TJ Burch.
Senior JRob Breen, who broke his nose last week against Natchitoches Central, threw the game-tying touchdown pass to senior and LSU baseball commit Devyn Downs, who split two Ouachita defenders to get into the endzone with nine minutes left in the game.
Sterlington-Ouachita remained tied from there as the Panthers blocked a potential go-ahead Lions field goal later in regulation. Sophomore Silas Ashley and junior Steven English also came up with key defensive plays.
"We didn't play good enough to win. Congrats to Ouachita," Sterlington coach Lee Doty said.
Ceaser also admires how Doty always has Sterlington "war-ready," especially with its move to D-II nonselect. As the Lions prepare for reigning D-I nonselect quarterfinalist Central-B.R. next week, they know they can't fizzle out in the second half like they did against the Panthers.
Ouachita will soak up this special homecoming victory against Sterlington as both communities showed their support on Millhaven Road.
"I just love the fact that we fought hard against a good team," Ceaser said. "Hats off to Coach Doty, because I've got nothing but respect for him."
This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Ouachita defeats Sterlington in showdown of reigning LHSAA champions