Tom Dodge
In a normal football season, the Blue Jays would have already played five games before opening district play.
But the LHSAA limited the regular season to eight games due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Then Hurricane Delta erased the Blue Jays’ game against Highland Baptist.
St. Edmund had only played two games heading into what was supposed to be the District 5-1A opener at home against Opelousas Catholic.
But the Vikings (1-2) was forced to cancel this week’s game because of coronavirus issues.
St. Edmund (1-1) was able to fill the vacancy with Class 5-A Natchitoches Central.
“I am disappointed that we can’t play a district game this week,” St. Edmund head coach James Shiver said. “I really thought we had all the answers for OC this year.
“We will miss a big rivalry game and will have to wait to start district.
“But I’m glad we are playing this week,” he said. “We had already seen a game cancelled because of the hurricane.”
The Chiefs opened the season with losses to Lake Charles College Prep (33-13), Airline (35-14) and C.E. Byrd (20-0).
This is the third higher classification team the Jays will face this season after Class 2-A Avoyelles Class 3-A and Ville Platte.
“They are a running team out of the double-wing,” Shiver said of Natchitoches Central. “But I think we can play with them as I think we have a pretty good run defense – we can’t allow the big play.”
St. Edmund (1-1) rolled up 454 yards of total offense in the Blue Jays’ 54-0 victory over Ville Platte.
Henry Brown completed 6-of-11 passes for 152 yards including a 50-yard scoring strike to Gus Brown.
The Jays tallied 302 yards rushing, led by Kieran Davis’ 176 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns.
The St. Edmund defense limited Ville Platte to four yards of total offense and one first down.
The Bulldogs fumbled seven times and lost four including a six-yard touchdown return by Easten Coleman.
“They are used to facing passing offenses,” Shiver said of the Chiefs.
“We run the ball and throw on occasion – we have a lot of weapons.”
The Blue Jay coach said he is impressed with his senior group as they celebrate Senior Night against the Chiefs.
“They are a great group to be around,” Shiver said. “They like to have fun but they also like to work.
“They believe in what we do and they are having fun doing it.”