Jaylin Williams was one of the last additions to the Rattlers roster for the 16th annual Red Stick Bowl, and the Donaldsonville High School quarterback put forth a determined effort to score the last touchdown Saturday afternoon at BREC’s Olympia Stadium.
In the sixth overtime, it was Williams' scrambling, 10-yard somersaulting run to the end zone that provided the winning score as the Rattlers defeated the Black Knights 44-38.
The Black Knights got the ball back for a final chance to score, but the Rattlers defense held. Nathan Carriere’s pass for Tehran Daggs on fourth down from the Rattlers 4 fell incomplete to end the game.
“It was a fun game, a great experience,” said Williams, who had 10 rushes for 41 yards and two touchdowns. “I had to give it my all when I went for the touchdown. I had to do it for the team.”
The Black Knights took a 17-0 halftime lead, but the Rattlers fought back. They scored 10 points in the third quarter and added a touchdown in the fourth to send the game to overtime tied at 24-24.
The teams matched touchdowns in the first overtime, but the Rattlers took the advantage in the second. Tyre Golmond’s 2-yard touchdown run gave the Rattlers a 30-24 lead. After an offside flag on the Black Knights moved the ball inside the 2, Daggs took a handoff into the end zone for the 2-point conversion.
But, the Black Knights tied it up again. Carriere’s 6-yard pass to Maleek Chriss on fourth down got the touchdown. Carriere found Brandon Davies for the 2-pointer.
Deandre Brown intercepted Carriere on the first play of the third overtime giving the Rattlers a chance to win the game with a field goal. The Black Knights' Percy Butler blocked Nathan Holliday’s 30-yard try to keep the game going.
The teams traded field goals in the fourth and fifth overtimes, and then agreed the sixth would be the last regardless of whether the 38-38 tie was broken.
The Rattlers got the ball first, and Williams shook loose on third down for the go-ahead score. Initially looking to pass, he scrambled left before flipping over two defenders and into the end zone.
“We were down 17-0 at halftime and I told the guys, ‘Y’all are all-stars. Let’s just do what we do and relax,’ ” Rattlers coach Frank Fresina said. “Once we settled down and played our game, it worked out great for them.”
Zack Johnson, one of two quarterbacks for the Black Knights, tweaked an ankle injury in the first half, leaving Carriere to finish the game. Carriere completed 11 of 24 passes for 120 yards and four touchdowns, but also had four interceptions.
“Neither team wanted to give in, and that shows the competitive spirit of these kids,” Black Knights coach Dwayne Thomassee said. “Tonight we came up a little short on the scoreboard, but we won in the game of life with the competitive spirit that they showed.”
The Black Knights took a 17-0 lead with less than 20 second remaining in the first half. With Carriere holding for Preston Stafford, who was lined up for a 28-yard field goal try, the snap came back on the ground. Carriere picked the ball up and threw an 11-yard pass to Cole Averette for the touchdown.