Thibodaux Remains Undefeated With 35-28 Victory Over Terrebonne

Written by Kyle Valdez

The Thibodaux Tigers defeated the Terrebonne Tigers 35-28 in a back-and-forth Week 5 thriller on Friday night. Entering the much-anticipated District 7-5A matchup, there was much pressure for both teams. Thibodaux had a chance to open their season with a 5-0 record for the first time in over a decade, along with a chance to prove that they are the real deal this year. Terrebonne, currently with a 2-2 record, had the opportunity to show that their slow start to the season is nothing more than a slow start. After all, Terrebonne has one of the most talented rosters in the state. A statement win could remind everyone why they finished the season with an 11-2 record and a quarterfinal appearance in the Class 5A playoffs just a year ago.

The game’s scoring quickly opened when Thibodaux QB Luke Alleman (232 yards on 17-36 passing, four TDs) hit Marquel Price for a 22-yard TD reception with 10:35 left in the first quarter. Thibodaux quickly stretched the lead to 14-0 in their next possession after Alleman connected with *ULL commit* receiver Kyren Lacy for 13 yards. Terrebonne responded to the early punch in the mouth by scoring 21 unanswered points. Terrebonne QB Ryan Williams (244 yards on 18-29 passing, 3 TDs) hit A.J. Walter for a 38-yard TD, followed by a Jaylin Lucas 71-yard TD reception on a quick slant to tie the game at 14-14. 
Terrebonne took their first (and final) lead of the game when QB Williams found Ja’Khi Douglas (Florida St. Commit: Top offers included Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Florida) for a 13-yard reception. Thibodaux evened the score at 21-21 going into halftime courtesy of an 18-yard Darwin Davis catch.

The second half was all back-and-forth. The third quarter consisted of the teams scoring a touchdown each. Thibodaux scored from an eight-yard run by Ramond Thompson. Terrebonne’s final score was when safety D’Jon Scott who has offers from (ULM, McNeese St, Southeastern, Lamar) picked off an Alleman pass and returned it 47 yards for the pick-six. The last score, and eventual game-winner, came with 8:13 left in the game when Alleman hit Marquel Price for a 14-yard touchdown to give Thibodaux the 35-28 lead.

For Terrebonne, they fell to 2-3 on the season and 0-2 in district. The first half of the season has been a huge disappointment to say the least. With unfair preseason expectations, they have simply underperformed. Although they have stayed competitive with everyone so far, they haven’t won a close game yet. Their two wins were by 60 and 39 points, but they dropped two winnable games by seven points each to Hahnville and Thibodaux. The Tigers still have enough time to turn their season around, but nothing gets easier as they still have Brother Martin, Destrehan, East St. John, and Central Lafourche on the schedule. Regardless of how they finish the regular season, they are still a team that many should fear going into the playoffs. It’s rare to find a team with the amount of raw talent as Terrebonne. ​

For Thibodaux, they have finally solidified themselves as real contenders for a district title and a dark horse team to go deep into the Class 5A playoffs. For five straight weeks now, they have found a way to win. Excluding their week 1 victory of Riverside Academy, the Tigers have been beating their opponents by an average of just five points per game. Next week, they plan on continuing their winning ways when district foe Hahnville comes into town.