GEISMAR, LA — In a bruising District 5-5A defensive struggle where yards were at a premium, it was a soccer convert’s leg and a monumental goal-line stand that ultimately decided the battle between Ascension Parish rivals.

Cade Foley booted three field goals and the Dutchtown defense forced a game-saving fumble at the 1-yard line with under two minutes remaining to secure a gritty 9-6 victory over Prairieville High School on Friday night.

The Griffins (4-1, 1-1) entered the contest facing an uphill battle offensively, playing without injured starting quarterback Owen Fletcher. Head coach Guy Mistretta relied on a steady rotation of Brock Black and Ethan Odom to orchestrate a conservative, run-heavy game plan designed to protect the football and dominate time of possession.

While the passing game sputtered, Dutchtown found its savior in Foley, a newcomer soccer player playing in just his third football game. Foley put the Griffins on the scoreboard first, drilling a 30-yard field goal in the opening quarter to cap off a methodical offensive drive.

Prairieville (2-3, 0-2) found traction late in the second quarter. Hurricanes quarterback Skylar Kellyengineered a swift drive, culminating in a spectacular 25-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Parker Faist.

The touchdown gave Prairieville a 6-3 lead heading into the locker room, though a blocked extra-point attempt by the Dutchtown special teams unit would prove costly later in the evening.

Dutchtown’s defense stifled the Hurricanes throughout the third and fourth quarters, repeatedly giving the ball back to the offense with excellent field position. Foley rewarded his defense’s efforts, splits the uprights with a 31-yard field goal to tie the game at 6-6, and later drilling a 20-yarder to reclaim a 9-6 lead for the Griffins.

With time ticking away in the fourth quarter, Kelly and the Hurricanes launched a furious, desperate final drive. Slicing through the Griffins’ secondary, Prairieville marched 90 yards down the field, eventually setting up a first-and-goal scenario at the Dutchtown 2-yard line.

On the game’s defining play, Kelly attempted to muscle his way into the end zone on a quarterback keeper. Just inches away from the goal line, the Dutchtown defensive front jarred the ball loose. The Griffins recovered the fumble at the 1-yard line, extinguishing the Hurricanes’ comeback hopes and running out the remaining clock.

The victory keeps Dutchtown firmly in the hunt for the District 5-5A crown as they prepare to travel to Live Oak next Friday. Meanwhile, Prairieville will look to snap a two-game skid when they visit East Ascensionfor another intense parish rivalry matchup.