No. 8 Green Devils crush Belaire in district opener

PLAQUEMINE - Plaquemine Senior High School jumped out to a 21-point halftime lead and cruised to a 51-0 District 6-4A victory over Belaire on Friday night at Andrew Canova Green Devil Stadium.

The Green Devils (5-2, 1-0), under coach Paul Distefano and ranked No. 8 in the Louisiana Sportswriter's Association Class 4A poll, outgained Belaire in total yardage 349-127 with 337 of it coming on the ground to rebound from its first loss in five weeks.

Plaquemine senior fullback Julius Maracalin, ranked fourth in the state in rushing prior to the game, led the way with 193 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries.

Bengal quarterback Tyler Woods paced Belaire by completing 5-of-18 passes for 70 yards.

Seven different players scored for the Green Devils including a 97-yard punt return by Austin Mitchell. Austin LeJeune also connected on five point after touchdown attempts.

Tyler Wesley's 4-yard run put Plaquemine on the board in the first quarter. Mitchell's punt return pushed the lead to 14-0 in the second quarter before Maracalin's first touchdown from 24 yards.

Maracalin scored on a 25-yard run in the third quarter to make it 29-0 after the Green Devils forced a safety.

Louis Conerly connected with Khalil Harris for a 4-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter before Brandon McClay scored on a 4-yard run. Conerly passed to D'Morea Wicks on the conversion to increase the margin to 45-0.

Saudi Williams 1-yard run reflected the final tally in the fourth quarter.

Plaquemine travels to Lutcher (3-4) on Friday night in another District 6-4A matchup at the "Dawg Pound." The Green Devils have placed runner-up to the Lutcher in district standings the past two seasons.

"I know this may sound strange, but I consider us the underdog," Distefano said. "We have to go through Lutcher and the district title always goes through Lutcher one way or another.

"Lutcher struggled early with some injuries but they have people back now and it shows. Plus, they have played some of the best teams in the state early on. The last two weeks show it."

The Bulldogs have outscored their first two district opponents 103-6 and are led by quarterback Christian Matherne.