By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

THIBODAUX — Friday night was something of a microcosm of the entire football season for East St. John quarterback Leonard Davis, who quarterbacked the River Region in the annual Bayou-River Showdown All-Star Game at Nicholls State — the final result wasn’t what Davis ultimately wanted, but he fought through adversity to do some spectacular things along the way.

The Bayou team dominated the night, winning a 34-0 contest that stands as the most lopsided win in the game’s seven-year history.

Davis captured the MVP for the River Region side, passing for 107 yards and rushing for 59 while splitting time with Hahnville quarterback Easton Melancon.

“It was a learning experience,” said Davis, who committed to Tulane as a defensive back earlier this year. “Something new for all of us … you probably couldn’t have gotten us all in the same room a few weeks ago. We’re all rivals … there might have been a rumble. But we all got along and it was a good thing.

“It was my last high school game ever. I don’t think it’s hit me yet.”

Vandebilt Catholic’s Elijah McGuire was the Bayou MVP; the quarterback rushed for 115 yards, most of that in the first half, and two touchdowns.

River Parish fans are familiar with McGuire, who led Vandebilt Catholic to wins over St. Charles and St. James, putting forth spectacular efforts each time.

“He’s a great kid and a good leader,” said Bayou coach Gary Hill, who is Terrebonne’s head coach. “He carried us through that first quarter. But really, all of the kids overall did a great job of becoming a team this week and tonight.”

Hahnville offensive line coach John Lambert headed the River side. He said that the 21-0 halftime deficit put the River team in a tough spot.

“When you get into that situation, you tend to become one-dimensional … and you’re working with some kids who may not throw the ball much in their system,” said Lambert. “You’re asking them to pass protect and it puts them at a disadvantage.”

McGuire sparked the Bayou on its opening drive of the night, accounting for 41 yards, including a 25-yard touchdown run that made it 7-0.

He got his team rolling on its second scoring drive as well with a 48-yard run. Ellender’s Ralph Singleton followed that with a 28-yard run. Terrebonne’s Dejuan Oliver capped the drive with an 8-yard end around for a touchdown, and the Bayou led 14-0.

St. Charles’ Luke Jackson came up big for the River in the second quarter, intercepting a pass from the defensive end position; the River couldn’t respond, though, when Braxton Acosta of South Lafourche registered his own interception to halt the River drive with 1:19 left in the half.

A 35-yard McGuire pass to Singleton set up McGuire’s own 1-yard touchdown run, making it 21-0 at halftime.

Things turned from bad to worse early in the second half. A bad snap on a punt attempt sailed over the head of Hahnville’s Brooks Vial, and it set the Bayou up at the River 1; Central Lafourche’s Bryson Davis punched it in to make it 34-0.

The River challenged to put points on the board when Melancon dialed up Chad McNeil deep down the sideline for a 45-yard gain — McNeil outjumped his defender and pulled down the catch at the Bayou 20.

But after South Lafourche’s Chris Berry sacked Melancon to create a third and goal situation from the 17, a fumble on the next play was recovered by Ellender’s Wilshawn Jones, who picked it up and rumbled 80 yards for the touchdown.

“We didn’t come together as quickly as I’d have liked to see,” said Lambert.

But Lambert did say that, despite the loss, the week will go down as a positive experience for the opportunity to work with a collection of the region’s best athletes.

“You see these guys in uniform, but you don’t see what’s under the helmet during the season,” said Lambert.

“I enjoyed getting to know them this week. It’s great that these guys get one more chance to come out on the field and play together.”