Tom Dodge
The St. Edmund Blue Jays celebrated homecoming with a convincing 57-0 win over the North Central Hurricanes.
The Blue Jays exploded for 36 points in the first half and then added 21 more points in the third period.
“It was a big win for us,” James Shiver said. “I was hoping the officials would run the clock in the second half because I don’t like scoring that many points against anyone.”
With the win, St. Edmund improves to 4-3 overall, 1-1 in District 5-1A and travel to rival Sacred Heart of Ville Platte on Friday.
Sacred Heart grabbed a 34-17 win over Westminster Christian Academy.
North Central (1-6, 0-2) remains win less in district as the Hurricanes travel to Opelousas Catholic this week.
Catholic High of Pointe Coupee rolled to a 44-10 win over the Vikings.
“With Catholic beating OC, that gives us a chance if we can win the last three games we are right back in the district chase.”
After stopping North Central on fourth down on the opening possession of the game, it took the Blue Jays just one play to put points on the board as Peyton Marcantel ran 62 yards through the middle of the Hurricane defense.
Josh Landry’s PAT gave the Jays a 7-0 lead with 7:55 left in the first period.
St. Ed’s forced North Central to punt and Hunter Brown’s return helped the Jays grab great field position at the Cane’s 38.
Four plays later, Marcantel scored from 10-yard out.
Landry’s kick increased the Jays’ lead to 14-0 with 4:32 remaining in the quarter.
After a face mask penalty gave North Central a first down, the St. Ed’s defense stiffened and stopped the Hurricanes deep in their own territory.
But on third down, the Jays fumbled the ball back to North Central late in the period.
After forcing another Hurricane punt, the Jays fumbled the ball back early in the second period.
Two plays later, Marcantel pounced on a North Central fumble at the Hurricane 6.
On the very next play, Marcantel scored on a 6-yard run and Landry’s kick gave the Jays a 21-0 advantage with 10:40 left before halftime.
The St. Edmund defense pressured NCHS quarterback Aaron Johnson as Josh Smith brought him down in the end zone for a safety.
The Blue Jays led 23-0 with 9:30 remaining in the period, but that lead quickly increased as Marcantel returned the free kick 67 yards for a touchdown.
The PAT failed, but St. Ed’s held a 29-0 margin with 9:20 left in the period.
After another Hurricane punt, the Jays were driving before North Central’s Chris Rideau intercepted a pass at the Hurricane 10.
But on the next play, St. Ed’s Kasen Hollier snared an diving interception in the red zone.
St. Edmund converted on fourth down later to keep the drive alive, but a fumble pushed the Jays back to the North Central 23.
On second and goal, Henry Brown connected with a wide-open Gus Brown for a 23-yard touchdown.
Landry’s PAT pushed the Jays ahead, 36-0 with 3:19 left before intermission.
The Hurricanes’ final drive was halted when Will Turk recovered Johnson’s fumble as time expired.
The Blue Jays went 74 yards in six plays to open the third quarter, capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Kieran Davis.
Landry’s PAT gave St. Edmund a 43-0 lead with 8:34 left in the period.
After another North Central punt, the Blue Jays needed just two plays to add points to the scoreboard.
A 14-yard run by Marcantel was followed by a 52-yard touchdown run by Davis.
Landry’s kick pushed the Jays up 50-0 with 7:15 remaining in the quarter.
North Central converted a fake punt for a first down, but the Hurricanes were later stopped on fourth down at their own 30 yard line.
The 3-play Blue Jay drive was completed on a 19-yard touchdown run by Hunter Brown.
Justin Landry’s kick gave St. Edmund a 57-0 lead with 49 seconds left in the third quarter.
The Blue Jays attempted to add points in the fourth quarter, but a holding call erased a 42-yard touchdown run by Isaac Richard.
On the Hurricanes final drive of the game, Johnson connected with Reginald Stoner for a 20-yard touchdown but a pass interference call in the end zone took the points off the scoreboard and the Jays preserved the shutout.