Field goal lifts River Region over Bayou All-Stars

With the score tied 17-17, St. Charles Catholic senior Christopher Ilski took the game onto his shoulders – by using his foot.

Ilski drilled a 52-yard field goal with two seconds left in regulation to lead the River Region All-Star team past the Bayou Region All-Stars 20-17 Friday at Nicholls State University’s Guidry Stadium.

“He (Ilski) is no random kicker,” said Frank Monica, coach of the River Region squad. “I should know. I’ve seen him a lot.”

Ilski was confident about his chances of splitting the uprights.

“I told our quarterback to get us in range, 50 (yards) or within, because of the breeze,” Ilski explained. “Fortunately, he got us within 52 yards and I did what I could do to help my team.”

The game was filled with records for the River Region, as Hahnville receiver Ivory Washington caught three passes for 136 yards and Destrehan’s Darrow Barnes nabbed three interceptions.

Ilski and Ellender Memorial senior Jesse Turner received MVP awards for their teams and $500 scholarships to the colleges of their choice.

Ilski finished 2-for-2 from field goal range (he also notched a 34-yarder earlier in the contest).

Turner racked up 94 yards on 21 carries.

“My offensive line did a great job,” Turner said. “Without them, I wouldn’t have won the award.”

The River Region team struck first when Riverside Academy’s Jarid Caesar rushed in from five yards out. Ilski’s extra point gave the River Region a 7-0 lead – one it would eventually take into the half.

The Bayou Region finally responded late in the third quarter when Vandebilt Catholic senior Evan Mistich completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to E.D. White signal caller Drey Trosclair.

H.L. Bourgeois kicker Kerry Guidry missed a 42-yard field goal, but made up for it on his team’s next possession by connecting from 26 yards out.

This put the Bayou Region ahead 10-7.

However, it would prove to be the only lead it would hold in the game.

River Region quarterback Blaine Gauthier (7-of-14, 182 yards, TD) hit Washington with a 73-yard touchdown strike.

Shortly after, Barnes pulled down his second interception and Iliski made a 34-yard field goal with 6:23 left in the game to go ahead 17-10.

The Bayou Team’s hopes looked to be diminished when Barnes grabbed his third pick, but a fumble by the River Team put Ellender Memorial quarterback Hosea Chatman into position to complete a 23-yard touchdown pass to E.D. White tight end Chase Clement.

The Bayou Team elected to sky kick the ensuing kickoff. Gauthier ran 16 yards to pick up a first down and Ilski iced the game with his winning kick.

“We never quit,” Turner said. “They had to beat us on a 52-yard field goal. That’s not normal in high school. It was a good kick, a good game and I had a lot of fun out there.”