The prep football careers of three Ascension Parish natives officially ended Saturday, as did Louisiana’s three-year win streak in the Bayou Bowl all-star football game, as Texas came away with a 24-14 win at Stallworth Stadium.

The win by Texas in the sixth annual meeting of the teams leaves the series record squared at 3-3.

Louisiana’s 40-player roster included four Ascension Parish natives: Dutchtown High School graduates Jamie Payton at linebacker and lineman Kevin Saia, as well as running back and Donaldsonville High School graduate Champlain Babin.

Payton will continue his academic and athletic careers at Lambuth Univeristy in Jackson, Tenn., while Saia will do the same at Louisiana Tech University and Babin at McNeese State University.

Payton came up big for the Louisiana team in the third quarter, as he intercepted a Texas pass. The play sparked a touchdown drive that ended where starting QB Randall Mackey of Class 4A state champion Bastrop connected with Kentwood grad Alfred Franklin on a 53-yard touchdown. The score brought the Louisiana team to within three points, 17-14, with 7:25 left to play.

After holding Texas at bay, Louisiana regained possession with 3:29 remaining. On the first play from scrimmage, quarterback Blaine Gautier of Lutcher threw a screen pass that was intercepted by Texas’ Derek Gahee and returned 28 yards for a touchdown, sealing the victory.

Final statistics for the Ascension Parish players were not available as of Monday.
Louisiana struck first in the contest. After an interception from Zach Albin of Sulphur, a 15-yard touchdown pass between former Bastrop teammates Mackey and receiver Edward Patterson put Louisiana on the board first.

Texas quickly answered when quarterback Braden Smith found Darius Bolden on a 43-yard touchdown strike, with the extra point tying the game at 7-7. Texas later added to its lead when Jeremiah McGinty hit Michael Smith on an 8-yard touchdown pass near the end of the first quarter.

Texas later added a 21-yard field goal in the third quarter to hold a 17-7 lead before Louisiana’s comeback attempt.

The Bayou Bowl is affiliated with Shriners Hospitals for Children, with net proceeds going to the charity. One day of the players’ week is dedicated to visiting the hospital.

Fox Sports Net Southwest will televise the game live, with the NFL Network airing the game later on a delay.

Each player and coach receives a game ring, autographed football and a game mug for participating.

Players are hosted to numerous events in the Houston area throughout the week, including a Houston Astros baseball game.