In a driving rainstorm and with Porters Chapel clinging to a 7-0 halftime lead over Ben’s Ford, PCA coach Wade Patrick challenged running back Kawayne Gaston to lead the Eagles to a much-needed win.

Mission accomplished.

Gaston rushed for 213 yards on 16 carries and two third-quarter touchdowns to lead PCA to a 19-0 win in the District 4-A opener over Ben’s Ford on Friday in Bogalusa, La.

“We told him that he needed to shoulder the load and we put it on his shoulders,” Patrick said. “We told him that we were going to ride him and he did a great job running with his pads low. We call him the thunder in our running game and he was that tonight.”

PCA (3-0) started slowly again as weather conditions dictated play-calling thanks to spiral band rain showers from Tropical Storm Lee. Quarterback Jonah Masterson hooked up with his brother, fullback Josh Masterson, for a 5-yard TD in the second quarter, but the passing game was largely grounded by the wind and rain.

Jonah Masterson completed 4 of 7 passes for 45 yards with one TD and no interceptions.

“We struggled getting going again,” Patrick said. “But I think we’re starting to find our identity and that’s a power-I formation running team.”