Chretien scores three touchdowns

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The Barbe High School football team looked dominant for a second consecutive week as it scored early and often in a 44-0 victory against Riverside Academy in its home opener Friday night.

Barbe head coach Mike Cutrera said he thought his team played well against a smaller team that had some great athletes.

“I feel very good,” Curtera said. “They played well. (Riverside) has a fine football team. They have athletes all over the field. They’re going to be a team to be reckoned with in their league.”

The Bucs (2-0) got things started with a game-opening 60-yard drive in which they moved the ball with ease until running back Zene Chretien got in the end zone from 9 yards out on a rush.

Chretien added to that lead in the second quarter as he capped another drive with a rushing touchdown, this time from 7 yards out.

The Rebels (0-2) threatened to score a couple times in the first half, but penalties plagued them in the first quarter and pushed them back.

Their one trip to the red zone ended with a fourthdown pass attempt that was intercepted in the end zone by D’Shawn Brown.

After the interception, the Bucs marched down the field and increased their lead to 21-0 before the halftime break with a 4-yard rush by quarterback Luke Richard.

Things only got better for the Bucs in the second half as the defense held strong and the offense put up 23 more points without much resistance.

Samuel Zahm got things started with a 29-yard field goal before Chretien got into the end zone for a third time to put the Bucs up 31-0. “(Chretien) is doing a great job,” Cutrera said. “He’s working hard. So is Dylan Lewis and the other running backs. … Those offensive linemen are making holes for them, and those running backs will tell you that, too. They couldn’t be doing that stuff without those linemen.”

Barbe’s offense didn’t slow down once it started playing its reserves, either. Before the third quarter, Lewis ran in a touchdown from 14 yards out, and Devin Bates scored in the fourth quarter to give the Bucs a 44-0 lead.

After another stand by the defense, Barbe got the ball on its 5-yard line with less than 5 minutes to play.

The Bucs took the opportunity to run out the clock and seal the victory.

Cutrera lauded his defense for not giving up a big play and keeping the shutout intact despite a couple close calls.

“We’re a young group and we’re growing up each game,” Cutrera said. “When we get put in those situations, that only makes us better down the line.”

Barbe 44 | Riverside 0