OPELOUSAS - If you love defense, Thursday’s District 5-4A matchup between the Cecilia Bulldogs and the Opelousas Tigers wasn’t for you.

Sure, there was a stop here and a forced turnover there.

But ultimately, the game was an offensive shootout that saw the two teams combine for nearly 100 points, with the Tigers outlasting the Bulldogs 50-48 for a pivotal district victory.

“Well, both offensive coordinators did a great job,” Tigers head coach Harry Coleman said. “They had a great game plan, and it was tug of war all night. It was a great atmosphere. A playoff atmosphere. It was crazy, but I am just happy - glory to God - that we came out on top.”

In the game, the two teams combined for more than 850 yards of total offense, 200 yards in penalties and seven lead changes.

“I didn't expect this type of game,” Coleman said. “I didn’t expect for us to score 50 and I didn't see them scoring 48 on us. I knew it was going to be close because they really have some athletes.”

For the Tigers (6-2), running back Joseph Clues, quarterback Collin Rideau and receiver Jaylon Owens headlined their offensive attack.

“We had a lot of people step up for us (Thursday),” Coleman said. “It was a total team effort.”

Clues finished with a game-high 241 yards and four touchdowns on 28 carries, while Rideau completed 19 of 31 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 86 yards and a score on 17 carries. The senior signal-caller also helped the Tigers convert four two-point conversions.

“Clues ran the ball like the workhorse he is,” Coleman said. “It was senior night and Collin had that never say die attitude. He wants to be remembered as one of the better quarterbacks to come through the school.”

Owens influenced the game in all three phases, catching nine passes for 104 yards and a touchdown on offense, recording five tackles, a sack and forced a fumble on defense and recovering an onside kick in the second quarter.

“You can’t win games without guys like Jaylon,” Coleman said. “He’s the ultimate competitor.”

In addition to Clues, Rideau and Owens, the Tigers’ got a big game out of Caden Arvie. Arvie, who was on the receiving end of Rideau’s second touchdown, finished with 88 yards on seven receptions.

Offensively, the Bulldogs (5-3) were led by Braylon Calais, quarterback Layne Champagne, running back Deondre Briscoe, and receiver Ashton Ruffin. Calais had 92 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions, while returning a kickoff 81 yards for another score.

Champagne completed 18 of 25 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, Ruffin caught six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown and Briscoe rushed for 78 yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries.

“Obviously, no coach wants that type of a football game,” Bulldogs head coach Cody Champagne said of the high-scoring affair. “We knew we were going to get their best effort because they're a good team. It's kind of a rivalry game. They were up for the task and at the end they did what they were supposed to do to win the game.”