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By Scott Meyer

Special to the Daily News

Bayou Lacombe’s season came to an end in a second-round playoff defeat, 47-12 against the Crescent City Kings last Saturday night in New Orleans.

The Cardinals received the opening kickoff and set up shop near midfield after kick returner Markus Conerly returned the kick 33 yards to the 45 yard line. Bayou Lacombe capped off the nine-play 46-yard drive with kicker Val Schaff (Lakeshore High School) hitting a 32-yard field goal with 7:49 remaining in the first quarter. Conerly went to Franklinton High School

Bayou Lacombe attempted an onsides kick that was recovered by Crescent City at the Cardinals 46-yard line. The Kings drove 46 yards on eight plays to grab the lead that they would not surrender. Quarterback Jyron Walters hit wide receiver Dontrell Boyd for a 5-yard touchdown pass. Kicker Jeffrey Hampton added the extra point with 3:17 left in the first quarter.

After forcing a Bayou Lacombe punt the Kings went right back to work. It took Crescent City two plays to add to their lead thanks to two-consecutive breakdowns in the Cardinals secondary. Walters hit wide receiver Jamal Walters on a 41-yard streak down the home sideline for the touchdown. Hampton added the extra point with 14:15 remaining in the second.

On Bayou Lacombe’s ensuing possession, the Cardinals took over at midfield after another 28-yard Conerly kick return. Schaff was called upon after the drive stalled at the Kings 18. A 35-yard field goal tapped into the Crescent City lead with 9:35 remaining.

After forcing a Kings punt, Bayou Lacombe took over at their 35-yard line. Quarterback Jervious Epherson (Northshore High School) hit wide receiver Devin Scott (West Jefferson High School, University of Louisiana at Lafayette) on a 25-yard pass, but lost control of the ball with Crescent City recovering at the Kings 33.

The Kings took just three plays to put the game out of reach. Walters hit wide receiver Troy Glenn on a 49-yard pass and catch with 3:46 remaining. Hampton’s extra point increased the lead to 21-6.

Bayou Lacombe was forced to punt after being backed up to the 7-yard line due to an illegal block penalty called on the kickoff and three unsuccessful pass attempts. The Kings kick returner Glenn returned the punt 48 yards for the touchdown. Hampton’s extra point pushed the Kings further ahead at 28-6 with 3:04 remaining in the half.

After the break, Crescent City set up in Cardinals territory after a personal foul penalty was called on the Bayou Birds. The Kings capped off the drive when Walters hit Boyd on a 33-yard touchdown pass. After a Hampton extra point the Kings led 35-6

On Bayou Lacombe’s ensuing possession the Cardinals were forced to punt. Kick returner Jonathan Warren returned the kick 40 yards for the touchdown. After a missed extra point the Kings led 41-6.

The Cardinals’ final score of the evening came with 14:30 remaining in the fourth. Epherson hit Scott on a 32-yard touchdown pass. After a failed two-point conversion, the score remained 41-12.

The Kings final score came after Bayou Lacombe turned the ball on downs at the 25-yard line. Walters hit Jamal Walters on a 17-yard touchdown pass to cap the eight-play, 25-yard drive. After a missed extra point the score remained 47-12.

Epherson finished the evening completing 7-of-31 attempts for 173 yards passing and 26 yards rushing.

Scott ended his night with six catches for 134 yards and one score.

Walters finished the night completing 9-of-19 attempts for 207 yards.

Running back Keith Brown led all rushers with 22 yards on five attempts. Jamal Walters led all receivers with 53 yards on two catches.

Crescent City will host the Mississippi Dynasty in the division championship. The Bayou Lacombe Cardinals finished off their 2022 season 9-3.