Acadiana Defies Odds To Defend State 5A Championship

Nobody expected the confetti after a 2-3 start, but the Acadiana Wreckin' Rams got on a legendary roll down the stretch to defend their Louisiana State 5A Championship.

A 23-7 victory over Destrehan in the finals was the final piece of a puzzle that got more and more unbelievable as the picture came together. The only person who probably saw this coming was Acadiana's Head Coach, Ted Davidson. Don't talk to him about legacies though.

Davidson was asked about the win by NOLA.com's Jerit Roser after the game, and he said, "I don't know what a dynasty is. We just go to work and play football."

That's how Acadiana survived this season.

Of all four of Acadiana's state championships, this might be Davidson's best coaching job. The Wreckin' Rams overcame a 2-3 start, two separate changes at the QB position and a slew of turnovers all throughout the regular season. When the playoffs came around, Acadiana was given the #15 seed, only to see them roll though every single opponent placed in their way in defiant fashion.

Acadiana's defense was sublime down the stretch, skunking St. Amant in the first round, containing explosive Ponchatoula in the second, holding Mandeville to two scores in the quarters, only allowing three points to Zachary in the semis and stifling Destrehan to seven points in the title game. Destrehan's QB, Kohen Granier, threw three uncharacteristic first half interceptions, and the Wreckin' Ram defense dug deep time and time again to get clutch fourth down stops.

The phrase, "Defense Wins Championships," definitely applies here.

The best part for Acadiana fans? It could have been even worse. The Wreckin' Rams were poised several times to inflate the scoreline but had to settle for three Brodie Fontenot field goals. Honorable mention goes to the Wreckin' Rams' kicker, who was perfect on his three attempts and consistently pinned Destrehan deep with touchbacks.

Bry'Kiethon Mouton took home the MVP honors for Acadiana with a couple clutch catches for 77 yards and a touchdown, but the key offensively was zero turnovers. In a turnover-plagued regular season, the Rams cleaned it up in the playoffs to defend their state crown.

Neither offense shone in the Superdome, and it wasn't exactly a gorgeous win, but nothing feels better than back-to-back championships.

Soak it in, Acadiana fans. It's not everyday you get to defend a state title, especially when you were perceived as an underdog. It's hard to repeat, even harder when you face the type of adversity the Wreckin' Rams did.

For the second straight year and the fourth time in the last decade, dark green and gold celebratory cray paper will decorate the French Quarter. Party on, Wreckin' Ram Nation. This one is special.