Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Scott Meyer

For the Daily News

The Bayou Lacombe Cardinals solidified their place on top of the West Division standings in the APDFL with a come from behind win over three-time reigning league champion Mississippi Dynasty, 19-18, Saturday night in Slidell.

Mississippi received the opening kickoff and Jadarius Moore returned the kick 75 yards to the Cardinals’ five-yard line, setting the Dynasty up perfectly to begin the game. It took the Dynasty just two plays to grab the early lead. On second-and-goal from the eight-yard line, quarterback Adrian Moore connected with wide receiver Jaron Bell from eight yards out for the touchdown. The Dynasty elected to go for two, but the attempt was unsuccessful.

The score came with 13:48 remaining in the first quarter.

On Bayou Lacombe’s second possession, the Cardinals took over at their 42 yard line. Quarterback Denizel Ladner (Covington High School) hit running back Josh Robinson 30 yards down field and Robinson took the catch the remaining 30 yards for the 60 yard touchdown pass. kicker Lance Foster’s (Duncanville High) extra point put the Cardinals ahead 7-6 with 5:25 left in the first. Robinson went to Franklinton High School.

The Dynasty regained the lead after taking advantage of a Cardinals fumble at the Bayou Lacombe 28. Moore’s one-yard touchdown run put Mississippi ahead with 9:35 remaining before half. After a failed two-point conversion attempt, the Dynasty led 12-7.

On Bayou Lacombe’s ensuing possession, the Cardinals were forced to punt after three negative rushing plays and a holding penalty. The Dynasty added to their lead when Moore and wide receiver Rotavious Thurmond connected from 33 yards out for the score. After Mississippi’s third failed two-point conversion attempt, the Dynasty led 18-6 with 6:30 left in the 2nd.      

Late in the third quarter, the Cardinals drove deep in Dynasty territory, but turned the ball over on downs after a failed fourth-and-short yardage attempt. Mississippi took over possession at their 21.

After a two-yard loss on first down, the Cardinals defense would flex their muscles with relentless pressure on Moore forcing a fumble. Defensive lineman Dedrick Parson (Salmen High School) scooped up the loose football and returned the fumble 16 yards for the touchdown. After a blocked extra point, the score was 18-13 with 14:14 remaining in the contest.

On the Dynasty’s ensuing possession, lightning would strike twice for the Cardinals. Moore attempted a quarterback run around the right side of the Mississippi offensive line. After a huge scrum along the visiting sideline Cardinals linebacker Lawrence Robinson stripped the football from Moore and raced 50 yards for the Bayou Lacombe touchdown. The Cardinals elected to increase their lead, but failed on their two-point conversion attempt. Bayou Lacombe regained the lead 19-18 with 12:05 left in the game. Robinson went to Franklinton High School.

The Dynasty was poised to answer the Cardinal’s score by going on a 10-play, 68-yard drive. After driving to the Bayou Lacombe seven-yard line, the Cardinal’s forced a fourth-and-goal situation. Moore attempted a desperate pass into the endzone, but Cardinal’s defensive back Markus Conerly intercepted the pass ending the scoring threat. Conerly went to Franklinton High School.

After forcing a Cardinal’s punt, the Dynasty took over with good field position at the Bayou Lacombe 47. After Cardinals defensive lineman Isame Faciane (Salmen High) sacked Moore for a nine-yard loss, Mississippi was forced into a second-and-long yardage situation.

A heavy pass rush forced Moore to throw his second interception of the night. Cardinals defensive back Dondrell Gordon (Covington High) was the recipient of the Moore pass with three minutes remaining.

Bayou Lacombe was able to run most of the time off the fourth-quarter clock but was forced into a punting situation with 38 seconds left. Mississippi took over at the Bayou Lacombe 47, but was unable to mount a serious threat.

Moore finished the evening 14-of-27 pass attempts for 201 yards. Wide receiver Anthony Williams led all Dynasty receivers with 55 yards on four catches. Running back Darryel Ragsdale rushed nine times for 54 yards.

Ladner finished the evening 9-of-27 for 166 yards. Ladner also led all Cardinals’ ball carriers with 47 yards on 12 attempts.

Running back Josh Robinson led the Cardinals receiver with 100 yards on two catches.

Both teams were flagged heavily in the heated contest. Cardinals 13 penalties for 90 yards. Dynasty 15 penalties for 148 yards.   

Mississippi hosts the Hub City Hellcats. The Cardinals return home on Saturday, April 17 to host the Louisiana Lightning.