Picture a cool September night, a breeze blowing in your face, your assignments for the week turned in, and a night with your friends and family watching your local high school team play in a highly anticipated matchup. Every student at Acadiana High School experienced this the morning of September 12th, 2024. Their school waited anxiously for the Zachary High School Broncos to travel an hour and a half across the state to Scott, Louisiana to compete in what at the time was a battle of two powerhouses looking to help pad their playoff resumes with quality wins.
Led by Coach David Brewerton, the Broncos ultimately fell that night 43-28, and the Broncos had to start the season out with a 1-1 record, a loss we typically don’t see on the record until later in the season. The Broncos traveled home from Scott, knowing that their next meeting won’t be until the next season. 367 days to be exact. Last Friday September 14th, the long awaited 367 days were over, and the Rams and the Broncos faced off one more time.
A matchup that is historically dominated by the Lafayette native Acadiana High was different when the Rams came to Zachary. The Rams drew first blood with a score in the first quarter, but Bronco Ethan Kimmie (11) evened the score with a 35-yard touchdown through the air, delivered by Micheal Kirby (12).
Any score by the Rams was quickly answered by the Broncos, with Jeremy Patton (11) taking a handoff from Micheal Kirby (12) 60 yards, breaking two tackles in the process to get to the Acadiana red zone. A false start from the Broncos offensive line only delayed the inevitable, as Tylek Lewis (11) punched in a 5-yard rush to spring the Broncos ahead midway through the second quarter.
The first half was back-and-forth from both sides, until Micheal Kirby (12) found Ethan Kimmie on a back corner fade route to end the first half: Broncos 21, Rams 14.
The start of the second half opened the flood gates for the Broncos defense, which forced a safety in the opening possession by Acadiana to put the Broncos up by 9. The Broncos used their possession from the safety to take a 16-point lead. The Rams offensive tried to spring back into gear, but Bronco Linebacker Tycen Kimble (12) recovered a fumble in the Rams half of the field to ice the game and seal the Broncos 2-0 start to the season.
When asked before the game if the Broncos would win, Kimble simply said, “Hell yea.” Kimble backed his answer up, leading the Broncos defense with numerous tackles and big stops putting the offense back on the field when it mattered the most.
With a matchup historically against the Broncos, Zachary High defeated Acadiana 30-14, defeating the Rams for the first time since 2018, and the first time at home since 2016. The Broncos travel to Carencro next week before their bye week and will play in the Corral against the Opelousas Tigers on October 3rd.
