NEW ORLEANS - Big plays highlighted the LHSAA 5A state championship game, but it was the Acadiana Wreckin’ Rams who made enough of them to come away with the hardware. 

The 27th-seeded Rams (10-5) held off the previously undefeated, fourth-seeded West Monroe Rebels, 21-14, clinching the 2010 5A title at the Louisiana Superdome on Saturday night.

Acadiana set the tone on the first play from scrimmage, scoring on a 72-yard touchdown strike from quarterback Ryan Bergeron to running back Terry Abraham.  The Rams’ defense held the Rebels on the ensuing possession, giving the ball back to the Acadiana offense.

The Rams wasted no time adding to their lead, capping off an eight-play, 70-yard drive with a 26-yard field goal by Jean Breaux to give Acadiana a 10-0 lead going into the second quarter.  The Rams appeared as though they would run away with the game after Breaux put Acadiana up 13-0 on a 40-yard field goal late in the second quarter.

However, West Monroe (14-1) responded when quarterback Paul Turner connected with Cody Stone for a 37-yard touchdown pass with 1:48 remaining in the half.  Acadiana led 13-7 at halftime.

Momentum swung completely in the direction of West Monroe as the second half began with yet another big play.  West Monroe’s Devontis Ellis ignited the Superdome courtesy of a 94-yard kickoff return, giving West Monroe a 14-13 advantage.

The Rams offense went begging in the third quarter, after failing to score on an 11-play drive that resulted in a punt. The Rebels were in position to take control of the game early in the fourth quarter, but a fumble by fullback Bubba Reeves ended a drive in Acadiana territory.

The fumble would prove to be costly as Bergeron completed a 63-yard pass to Micah Eugene on the very next play, setting up the Rams with first and 10 at the Rebels 10-yard line.  Three plays later, Eugene provided the game winning points on a 1-yard touchdown run.  Abraham added the two-point conversion, stretching for the goal line on a short run to the outside for the game’s final points.

West Monroe had one last shot, but a fourth and 15 pass by Turner went incomplete, ending the Rebels perfect season.  The Rams took over and knelt on the ball to secure their first 5A championship since 2006.

GAME NOTES

- Announced attendance for Saturday’s 1A, 4A and 5A games was 32,927.  The total attendance for Friday and Saturday was 50,274.