LONGVILLE — Rayville scored 36 unanswered points to eliminate South Beauregard 44-26 Friday night in a Class 3A regional-round game.

The eighth-seeded Golden Knights held all the momentum early in the third quarter when a third Kelly Courville touchdown put them up 20-8.

Then the light switch went on for the No. 9 Hornets as they took control of the game.

After South Beauregard (9-3) contained Rayville (9-3) quarterback Kahmod Naylor in the first half, Rayville made a 180-degree turn in the second half and ran right at the Knights to great effect.

Their first three touchdowns in the spurt were short-yardage runs by Naylor, which opened up the pass for the final two.

Naylor ended with 234 total yards — 98 rushing and 136 passing — and six touchdowns.

“They just lined up and started attacking us,” South Beauregard head coach Dwight Hudler said. “They got into a two-tight end heavy set and ran at us.”

South Beauregard wasn’t without chances. It sprung several runs longer than 30 yards, but lost two fumbles that gave Rayville short fields.

Running backs Shea Holland and Kelly Courville were able to get running lanes. Holland finished with 168 yards on 23 carries and Courville 95 yards and four touchdowns on 10 carries. But the Knights were unable to complete a pass.

It allowed Rayville to control much of the game. The Hornets finished with 25 first downs and running back Natrone Kendricks added 139 yards on 19 carries.

The Knights achieved school history by winning their first playoff game in eight tries last week in the bi-district round.(Kirk Meche/American Press)

Kirk Meche