Tom Dodge
The Blue Jays started off the James Shiver era with a 32-18 win over Vinton.
“We had some penalties (13-101 yards) and we made some mistakes (three intecceptions and three fumbles),” Shiver said. “But we won thegame.”
St. Edmund rolled up 292 yards on the ground, a stat that was impressive to Shiver.
“We have only been together for two months,” Shiver said. “They guys are learning a new approach and a new system.
“I was impressed in the way we ran our plays and executed, especially in the second half.”
St. Edmund (1-0) travels to Bunkie this week to face the Panthers (0-1) who lost to Marksville, 35-14.
“They are a 2-A team with some talent,” Shiver said. “It will be a good challenge for us.”
The Blue Jays scored first against Vinton on a 3-yard run by quarterback Clay Miller, but St. Ed’s trailed 12-6 at the break.
That changed in the third quarter as the Jays exploded for 20 points, sparked by an 83-yard touchdown run by Peyton Marcantel.
Miller added a 1-yard score and then connected with Will Turk for a 24-yard scoring strike to push the Jays ahead, 26-12.
Marcantel later scored on a 40-yard interception return as the Jays sealed the win.
“Our guys never gave up even after we allowed a interteception return for a touchdown and had another touchdown called back,” the coach said. “We did what we needed to do to win the game.”
Shiver said he wants to see his team become more balanced and efficent in the passing game as the season progresses.
“People are going to start to stack the line against us and we will have to throw the ball more,” he said.
Shiver said the Panthers run the same offense as Vinton did last week.
St. Edmund held the Lions to 110 yards passing and 145 yard of total offense.
Marcantel had 163 yards on 19 carries including a 83-yard touchdown against Vinton.