Tom Dodge
Homecoming week is usually filled with festivities and excitement.
But this week as St. Edmund prepares to take on South Cameron, the Blue Jays are also dealing with the death of Gracie Marie Zaunbrecher.
Following a nearly two-year fight with DIPG, a rare and aggressive brain tumor, the eight-year old passed away Monday morning.
“She put up quite a fight,” Hargroder said. “She was relentless for her battle for life – she was always positive.
“We need to keep that same spirit and remember that nothing is promised.
“I tell the team that this could be their last football game,” he said. “Don’t take it for granted.”
The St. Edmund coach said both people whose initials on the back of the Blue Jay helmets passed away within a week as Chad Coleman died on Sept. 16 of ALS.
“We need to keep their fight in our minds and go into the rest of the season knowing we will have to earn every win.
“We can’t walk through the season believing that the other teams are just going to bow down,” the coach said of defending their district championship. “It’s not going to happen.”
Hargroder said he was pleased to see how his team opened District 4-1A competition with a 14-0 win over rival Basile.
St. Edmund quarterback Brad Miller had 20 carries for 120 yards and scored two touchdowns to help lead the Blue Jays past the Bearcats.
Brock Bieber had 10 solo tackles, five assists and two quarterback sacks for the Jays.
“Special teams blocked two punts,” he said. “The defense played well, but on offense we are still not where we need to be.”
The Blue Jays rolled up 202 yards on the ground last week, while holding Basile to 104 yards of total offense.
St. Edmund has outscored its opponents 95-22 so far this season, including back-to-back shut outs over Mamou and Basile.
St. Ed’s opponents have gained 422 yards passing, while the Blue Jays have outrushed its foes 842-184 after four games.
South Cameron went 0-9 last season including a 55-27 loss to the Blue Jays.
After starting 0-3 this season with losses to Delcambre (49-25), Rosepine (32-2) and Gueydan (34-0), the Tarpons opened district with a 31-26 victory over Hamilton Christian.
“Last year at halftime, the game was tied,” Hargroder said. “They threw for over 200 yards.
“We have to stop the pass and be sure the mistakes we made last year we don’t make again this year.”
Kick off is set for 7:30 p.m. at Blue Jay Field.
Other district games include Basile at Merryville, Elton at Hamilton Christian and Oberlin at Grand Lake.