Tom Dodge
MAMOU – St. Edmund suffered a loss to rival Sacred Heart of Ville Patte for the second year in a row, but that could help the Blue Jays.
After a 29-21 loss to the Trojans last season, the Blue Jays then went on an eight-game win streak and captured the District 4-1A title.
Last week, the Trojans handed the Blue Jays a 10-3 defeat as SHVP held St. Edmund to 137 yards of total offense.
“They were minor things but in football little things become big,” Hargroder said. “We need to execute better, play hard and not make mental mistakes.”
The Blue Jays travel to Mamou Friday to take on the 0-2 Green Demons, led by first year head coach Dwight Collins.
Mamou opened the season with a 22-0 loss to Oberlin and fell 36-0 last week to Basile.
The Green Demons are on a 10-game losing streak with the last win coming against Port Barre (15-14) on Sept. 22, 2017.
“We can’t give up big plays,” Hargroder said. “Mamou has some good athletes who could give us problems.
“We don’t want to give them any momentum and then gain hope of winning the game.”
Mamou allowed 317 yards of total offense against Basile, while the Green Demons gave up nearly 200 yards on the ground to Oberlin.
Mamou quarterback Jaylen Bradley completed 6-of-10 passes for 83 yards against Basile with Dino Deshotel hauling in four catches for 71 yards.
Sacred Heart finished with 191 yards passing, aided by an 80-yard touchdown strike and 64-yarder on the Trojans’ first play.
The Blue Jays had 62 yards in penalties and comitted three turnovers in the close loss.
“We to hold on to the ball, sustain drives and do what our offense is capable of doing.”
The Blue Jays rolled to a 55-18 win over Mamou last season.
“We need to bounce back,” Hargroder said of the loss to Sacred Heart. “No one plans on losing but if it happens, we can’t fall in the face of adversity.”