Tom Dodge
NEW ROADS – The Blue Jays are right where they wanted to be heading into the final week of the regular season as St. Edmund travels to Catholic High of Pointe Coupee to fight for a share of the District 5-1A title.
“If you would have told any Blue Jays booster at the beginning of the season we would have a chance for the district title in week 10 – they would have thought there was no way that could happen,” St. Edmund head coach James Shiver said. “But we are right there in it.”
The Blue Jays (6-3, 3-1) stayed in second place in the district with a 47-14 win over Westminster Christian Academy on Senior Night.
“This senior group defines the meaning of team,” Shiver said. “They are unselfish and they do whatever it takes to win – they are a special group.”
The No. 9 Hornets (7-2, 4-0) lead the district, aided by a 44-10 win over Opelousas Catholic on Oct. 18.
St. Edmund suffered a 35-6 loss to OC in the district opener.
“We didn’t play very well defensively against OC,’ Shiver said. “I think we have inproved since that game and the kids would like another shot at them in the playoffs.”
CHPC’s only losses of the season were against Ascension Episcopal (34-28) and Episcopal (31-14.
The Hornets have scored 35 points or more in every victory this season.
Catholic has non-district wins over DeQuincy (46-22), Central Private (35-6) and Riverside Academy (42-20).
The Hornets have rolled through district with victories over Sacred Heart of Ville Platte (36-12),Westminster Christian (45-23), North Central (72-18) and OC.
Catholic High-PC players to watch include running back Matthew Langlois, fullback Colin Grezaffi along with linebacker Nick Carriere.
“Hopefully we can stop their running game,” Shiver said. “But they will have to stop our running game as well.
“Ball control and no turnovers could be the difference,” the coach said of the matchup against the Hornets.
Catholic-PC is presently No. 8 in the LHSAA Division IV power rankings, while St. Edmund is No. 10.