Rebels keep rolling after slow start
West Monroe overcame early adversity to power past District 2-5A rival Ruston 28-14 Friday at L.J. “Hoss” Garrett Stadium.
West Monroe (6-0, 1-0) had three fumbles in the first quarter, two recovered by Ruston. West Monroe used a steady running game to get back in the thick of it after falling behind 7-0.
Running back Slade Bolden ran for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 11 carries while Trey Coleman added 177 yards on 19 carries for the Rebels. Sontus Mitchell rushed for 61 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries to lead Ruston
"We have a lot of seniors that know how to play hard," West Monroe coach Jerry Arledge said. "I was thrilled. Our kids went out and executed."
GOOD PLAY: West Monroe senior wide receiver Jake Norris caught a 47-yard touchdown pass with 6:37 left third quarter. It was the second touchdown pass Norris received from Rebel quarterback Robert Scott Foust. Foust finished with 56 yards and two touchdowns through the air on 3-of-6 passing
Ruston (3-3) also had some big plays including in the fourth quarter with a long pass from quarterback Cade Gibson to Michael Courtney for a 38 yard gain.
Both offenses were very aggressive and went for the first down when faced with fourth down on multiple occasions. Ruston faced such a situation in the fourth quarter down 21-7 and were not able to convert.
"I thought we needed seven instead of three (points) there," Ruston coach Brad Laird said.
Laird said his team played hard and was not surprised by anything the Rebels pulled out on Friday.
"They did what they do," Laird said of the Rebel team.
SOMETHING SPECIAL: Coleman returned Friday after missing the previous game for West Monroe. Coleman had a big start to the night with 98 yards in the first half alone. West Monroe controlled the clock and the line of scrimmage with a steady running game that netted 352 yards on 55 rushes. Ruston finished with 243 yards of total offense including 110 yards on 10-of-25 passes by Gibson. Gibson also had two interceptions.
BAD PLAY: West Monroe had three fumbles in the first quarter. West Monroe put one on the ground on an errant option pitch in the first quarter that was batted around back into the end zone and recovered by Ruston safety Melvin Parker for a touchdown. The West Monroe defense held the Bearcats out of the end zone until Sontus Mitchell scored in the fourth quarter with 3:05 remaining. Ruston then attempted an onside kick that went out of bounds and over to the Rebels.
UP NEXT: West Monroe travels to Natchitoches Central while Ruston hosts Pineville.
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