Jays poised to win district

Image
Body

A Blue Jay win over Merryville tonight will seal a second consecutive District 4-A football title for St. Edmund.
The last time the Jays won-back-to-back district titles was in 2003-04.
“It is always good when you can repeat,” St. Edmund head coach Andy Hargroder said. “Repeating is hard to do – the first year it may be a surprise but the second year but you have a bull’s eye on your chest.
“To be able to go through every one’s best shot for the second season and still win, that is a big step for our program.”
St. Edmund improved to 8-1 overall and 6-0 in district as the Blue Jays rolled up 491 yards of total offense in last week’s 49-12 win over Hamilton Christian.
SEH quarterback Brad Miller gained 246 yards on 11 carries including a 96-yard touchdown run.
Miller tied the school record for the longest touchdown run with Tommy Fontenot (1958 vs St. Francis of Iota) and J.C. Lyons (1960 against Gillis of Lake Charles).
“We work on the triple option every week in practice and we have sold out on the running game,” Hargroder said. “That is our identity.”
The Jays have gained 2,829 yards rushing, led by Brad Miller (135-1,062 yards, 15 TDs), Jack Miller (33-489, 9 TDs) and Brock Bieber (64-442, 5 TDs).
St. Edmund has outscored opponents 318-40 as the Jays have allowed only 18 second-half points.
“We make adjustments when we have to,” he said, “and the kids respond.”
The Blue Jays hadn’t allowed a rushing touchdown all season until Hamilton Christian pushed two across last week.
Merryville opened the season non-district losses to Rosepine (35-13), St. John (33-15) and East Beauregard (42-31).
The five-game losing streak continued with district losses to Oberlin (35-14) and Basile (29-13).
The Panthers have won four straight including district victories over Grand Lake (41-8), South Cameron (40-7), Hamilton Christian (34-0) and Elton (27-26).
“They are very big up front and probably one of the more physical teams we will play all year,” Hargroder said of Merryville.
“They like to pound the ball,” the coach said. “They are like us, they just run a different style of offense.
“I think if we do what we are supposed to do on defense, we will be all right.”
Hargroder said the Jays will face a stacked defensive front as the Panthers try to stop the run.
“They put more people up front than most of the teams we have faced this season,” the Blue Jay coach said. “We have to find a way to break that code.”
In other district games this week, Basile visits Hamilton Christian, Oberlin entertains Elton while Grand Lake will earn a forfeit win over South Cameron as the Tarpons were forced to halt the season after five games.