YOUNGSVILLE – Many people expected the regular season finale between the Barbe Buccaneers and the Southside Sharks would be a good game.

However, not too many people – if any – expected the game to be an offensive shootout.

But that’s exactly what it was.

In a game in which the two teams combined for 122 points, the Buccaneers outlasted the Sharks 73-49 in a pivotal District 3-5A matchup.

“This district is unbelievable,” Sharks head coach Jess Curtis said. “… Everybody’s kind of taking turns beating somebody within the district. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen.”

The game featured more than 1,100 yards of total offense, 42 first downs and 19 plays of at least 20 yards.

“The game (Friday), both defenses struggled,” Curtis said. “It was a game of offense. Credit to them, they made some stops in the second half and that’s the difference in the ball game. Their defense was able to make some stops in the second half and we weren’t.”

Offensively, the Sharks were stout as they gashed the Buccaneers early and often with their rushing attack that accounted for 588 yards six touchdowns. The running game was spearheaded by Kollen Francois, Justin Williams, Parker Dies and Coby Broussard. Francois finished with a team-high 214 yards and three touchdowns on 13 carries, while Williams rushed for 129 yards on 22 attempts and Dies chipped-in with 101 yards and a touchdown on eight carries. Broussard came within four yards of reaching the 100-yard mark, but he still finished with an impressive 96 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.

“Kollen, Justin, Coby, Parker, you name it, and our guns are going to fire,” Curtis said. “We were able to do it offensively, but we have to bring the hat on defense. We didn’t do that (Friday).”

Buccaneers quarterback Jelandon Gray and running back Jordin Griffin were nothing short of spectacular against the Sharks. Gray completed 9-of-15 passes for 276 yards and five touchdowns, while rushing for 188 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. Griffin finished with a game-high 239 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries.

Sawyer Kuypers and Christopher Rideau were Gray’s two favorite targets as they combined to catch eight passes for 266 yards and four touchdowns. Kuypers finished with a game-high 142 yards and a touchdown on five receptions, while Rideau had three catches for 124 yards and three touchdowns.

“There guys made big plays (Friday),” Curtis said. “Coach Owens does a great job. Their running back is really explosive, and their quarterback is really explosive. It’s a really well-coached team.”

Turnovers put the Sharks (5-5) behind the eight-ball early, as they lost a fumble on the first play of their opening possession and then were intercepted on their third possession in which Barbe took full advantage of en route to taking a 28-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.

However, Southside didn’t fold and behind some explosive plays from Francois the Sharks stormed back to outscore the Buccaneers 35-14 over the next 11 minutes in the second to tie the game at 42-42 with :51.5 seconds remaining until halftime.

Francois, who had touchdown runs of 14, 66 and 90 during that span, finished the half with 195 yards on eight carries. Broussard, who scored the lone touchdown in the first quarter, scored on a 29-yard touchdown run in the second, while Dies had a 19-yarder. Broussard finished the first half with 67 yards on eight carries, while Dies had 97 yards on four attempts.

After Barbe (9-1), who scored on a 31-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter, led 45-42 halftime, the Sharks took their lone lead of the game on their opening drive of the second half. Facing a fourth down and seven from the Buccaneers’ 30-yard line, Jayden Moncrieffe, who lined up in the backfield, took the toss from Dies and launched it to the end zone for a 30-yard touchdown to Ryan Sealy to give Southside a 49-45 lead with 4:13 remaining in the third quarter.

But the lead would be short-lived, as Barbe would go right back down the field and convert a fourth down and seven of their own as Gray connected with Rideau for a 17-yard touchdown to take a 52-49 lead that they’d never relinquish.

“I want it to hurt. That last one, I hope it burns,” said Curtis about Gray’s 79-yard touchdown run that gave Barbe a 73-49 lead with 1:12 remaining in the game. “Let them clown us. It’s good. We’ll be better for it. We’re going to watch the film, we’ll be back. We’re going to be a hard team to beat in the playoffs.”