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RAYNE - Until Friday, No. 7-ranked Rayne High’s 2016 football season was full of ups, downs, and mostly breaks falling their way. That all changed when they hosted the No. 10 Benton Tigers in the second round of the 4A state playoffs.
You name it, it happened -- fake kick, long completions, and productive runs. But, most of those spectacular plays were either followed by an unwanted yellow field decoration or a miscue that resulted in a Benton advantage and a 28-14 Tigers win.
“We had a number of missed opportunities tonight, no doubt,” commented Rayne High Coach Curt Ware following Fridays loss. “A few times we were in position to score, especially in the first half, but we just couldn’t capitalize on them. We just fell a little short tonight.”
Ware continued, “Not taking anything away from them (Benton), they made things happen for the win. But, it’s still disappointing for our guys.”
The Wolves were the first to light up the score score on their first drive of the contest, a long drive capped off with a Daren Harmon 30-yard touchdown run. A Morgan Manuel extra point put the Wolves up 7-0 early on.
On Rayne’s next possession, what looked like another scoring drive, Donald Doucet made a completion to receiver Jaylon Reed near midfield, but was stripped by Benton for a fumble. The loose ball was scooped up by Tiger Sidney Smith for a 47-yard touchdown run. The extra point knotted the score at 7-all to finish the first quarter score.
The lone score to complete the first half came midway through the second quarter on a long Benton drive capped off with a Garrett Hable TD run. The extra point placed Benton up 14-7 and they remained ahead for the remainder of the ballgame.
With the first half ticking away, Doucet found Harmon for a 33-yard completion and a long run by Johnny Deculit placed the Wolves within striking distance. But, the Tigers’ defense held tough as the halftime buzzer sounded.
“The first half was our missed opportunity,” according to Ware. “We were there, within striking distance, and just couldn’t break through.”
“But, when you get to this stage of the season, you’re gonna come across teams that don’t allow you to play your game and that’s what happened tonight.”
The Wolves and Tigers split hairs in the third quarter, each touching their own endzones.
Benton saw Jermain Newton cut loose for a 40-yard touchdown run for a 21-7 Tigers’ lead.
Rayne answered with a long 91-yard drive complete with runs by Deculit and Harmon, and Doucet completions to Reed and Deculit. Trent Winbush returned from a first quarter injury to punch in a 13-yard touchdown run and Manuel split the uprights once again for a 21-14 score as the final quarter began.
The Benton offensive game saw an increase in their passing game as the fourth quarter opened play, setting up a 32-yard TD run by Garrett Habel. The extra point saw the Tigers increase their lead with a 28-14 score, the eventual finale.
A blocked Benton fieldgoal was recovered by Tony Roberts midway through the final quarter of play gave the Wolves some breathing room. But, a turnover near midfield saw the Wolves’ season slowly slip away.
Taking into account the Wolves accumulated over 400 offensive yards, 128 of those yards came on 22 carries by Darien Harmon who saw the endzone once.
Trent Winbush saw limited action due to an ankle injury early on, but was able to see the endzone once while making eight carries for 41 yards.
Johnny Deculit recorded 58 yards on eight carries and Donald Doucet scrambled twice for 12 yards.
Doucet led the passing duties with 11 completions for 200 yards on the night.
Harmon led in receptions with five completions for 74 yards, with Deculit pulling down two catches for 59 yards. Reed nabbed three receptions for 52 yards, followed by a catch by Winbush for 15 yards.
“Aside from tonight’s outcome, I’m proud of this group of kids,” Ware summed things up still feeling the sting of the loss. “This team never gave up and always left everything on the field. You love to see that in a team as a coach.”
“This summer they set goals for their season and they’ve accomplished most of them. I know they didn’t want to finish things out tonight. I also wish they could have played again next week. But, as the saying goes, ‘there’s only one happy team at the end of the season’ and that won't be us.”
The Wolves completed the 2016 football season one point shy of a perfect regular season, a 15-14 loss to LaGrange midway through the season. Entering post season with a 9-1 tally and a co-district champion patch, Rayne was able to crack the state’s top 10 midway through district and remained until this week. A few accomplishments for sure. Congrats, guys!

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 19, at Holy Temple of Deliverance Church, 824 W. 14th Street, Crowley, LA for Mr. Louis Handy Sr., 89, who passed away on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, at his residence in Crowley. Interment will be in West Crowley Cemetery in Crowley.
Rev. Brian Minix will be officiating the funeral services.
Mr. Handy is survived by: his two sons, Edward Handy (Carol) of San Diego and Louis A. Handy Jr. (Ella Mae) of Crowley; two daughters, Opal Handy of Houston and Carol Keel of Crowley; two brothers, Lemeul Handy of Mississippi and Isaac Handy of Houston; one sister, Gertrude Shelly of Houston; and a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
He is preceded in death by: his parents, Sidney Handy and Melissa Scott Handy; one daughter, Debra Handy; three brothers, Joseph Handy, Sidney Handy and Lawrence Handy; and one sister, Pearlie Wildrige.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 8 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at Holy Temple of Deliverance Church.
Words of condolences may be expressed at fordandjosephfh.com.
Ford and Joseph Funeral Home of Crowley, 577 N. Avenue C, Crowley, LA 70526, (337) 514-5217, is in charge of arrangements.

As announced by Commander David Simon of Arceneaux Post 77, American Legion, and Chairman Robert Comeaux, donations are  being requested by the public for residents of the War Veterans Home in Jennings.
Comeaux suggested personal care items, clothes and any daily items need by the veterans to be brought to the local Legion Home (American Legion Drive, Rayne) during regular business hours. Comeaux will gather donations and make the drive to Jennings during a drop-off day before of the 2016 year ending.
Monetary donations will also be accepted and appreciated, according to Comeaux.
Legionnaires also were reminded of the annual Christmas Party held every December at the War Veterans Home in Jennings. Arceneaux Post 77 and Unit 77 will make their usual donations, along with cash prizes for the Bingo games enjoyed by the residents.
Donations will also be accepted for this event, as well.
Special thanks were expressed by Commander Simon for all the help provided for the recently completed October jambalaya dinner fundraiser held by the Sons of the Legion.
All proceeds were donated to Post 77 for upcoming events and expenses.
He also thanked all who donated their time and needed goods for the successful event.
A “Super Bingo” was planned for Dec. 8 at the War Veterans Home in Jennings. All were invited to attend and help in any possible way.
A reminder was given to the membership of the upcoming  2017 Winter Conference planned Jan. 20-22 in Alexandria.
A report was given of the programs planned for Veterans Day at local and area schools, churches and community-related locations.
Membership Chairman Ray Olinger submitted the membership count at 141 paid dues for the local membership.
Sick call was announced, along with a list of upcoming entertainment and events. Commander Simon also noted a large attendance to recent events.
An update on the Rayne Veterans Park was given, in addition to an invitation by Leo Spaetgens to visit the location and see the ongoing progress.
Announcement was made of the ribbon cutting ceremony planned for Nov. 18 at the new Veterans Administration Clinic in Lafayette. Opening of the new VA Clinic in Lake Charles is planned for Dec. 18.
Information was given by Commander Simon of the anticipated bus transit system planned to begin in March 2017 for Acadia Parish residents. The service will provide  transportation for students and employees from Acadia Parish to Lafayette as per bus service.
Discussion was heard of the possible use of the Legion’s parking lot for parking for bus patrons. Additional discussion will be heard during the December meeting.
Announcement was made of the charter membership for the local Sons of the Legion since 15 members have now signed on for the organization.
Veterans were invited to participate in the 2016 Annual Sonic Christmas Parade to be held in Lafayette on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. A dedicated float will be provided for all veterans of the Acadiana area.
Information for the annual Law Enforcement, Young Fireman and Educator of the Year honors will be given during the December meeting by Commander Simon. He urged all program chairmen to participate in nominating honorees.
With no additional business, the meeting was adjourned and a delicious meal was served by the Legion cooks.