JENA — Without Raymond Plummer and Taylor Perron-Krause active, the Block Bears fell to the Jena Giants 35-21.

Plummer, who entered the game with 399 rush yards and seven rushing touchdowns in two games, suffered a high ankle sprain in a 28-26 loss to Ferriday, while Perron-Krause, who rushed for over 100 yards against Ferriday, missed five days of school because of dehydration.

Block head coach Benny Vault said his void backfield had huge ramifications on the game.

“I knew it was just a matter of time,” said Vault, on his team’s loss. “I’m very proud of the effort these guys gave. A lot of the younger players got experience, and we actually could have won the game.”

Despite the absence of the Bears’ top two running backs, Block took a 21-19 lead into the fourth quarter. A controversial third down run would seemingly cost Block in the end. On a 3rd-and-14 near their own 20-yard line, the Bears tossed a sweep to Shavarick Williams, who picked up the first down. However, the referees did not stop his forward motion, and a strip followed. Jena capitalized on the great field position and regained the lead.

“We had just made a goal line stand before that,” Vault said. “That play was such a bad call. The referee on my sideline even admitted it was a bad call, but that kind of stuff happens.”

One positive Vault took away from the loss was the valuable experience his younger players gained, which will be needed against Block’s next opponent. 4A Peabody.

“Hopefully, these younger guys getting to play will payoff,” Vault said. “We’re playing for district now. We have to get healthy and regroup.”

Block falls to 0-3 on the season.