By DWAIN SPILLMAN JR, Natchitoches Parish Journal
“It’s our next game up, our next challenge,” St. Mary’s head football coach Aaron York said as Week 4 preparation concluded.
The Tigers, at a perfect 3-0 on the early campaign, are set to collide with their fourth straight opponent from a higher classification.
Last week, SMS downed Class 2A Holy Savior Menard in a game where the Tiger defense was the feature in hard-fought victory. In that contest, Tiger defenders Drake Griffin and Ben Bienvenu both returned interceptions for scores.
This week’s opponent, DeQuincy, out of District 5-2A, is 0-3 on the season but will provide quite a formidable obstacle to the path of the local Tigers Thursday night at Turpin Stadium.
“They have a big history of really good football,” York said. “They are a typical south Louisiana team. They have some very athletic kids and we will see some different things, especially on defense. They will also spread the ball around a lot on offense.”
The Calcasieu Parish based Tigers dropped a decision at South Beauregard, 27-6, a week ago and will be on the road for a second straight week. St. Mary’s holds the brief historical advantage over the visitors, winning the last two matchups dating back to 2021.
Subsequently, St. Mary’s will have an off week and will not play in Week 5 of the regular season as Isidore Newman (New Orleans) strangely and oddly recently canceled its visit to meet the East 5th Street crew.
“We definitely look to improve each week,” York concluded. “We have a big challenge against another larger school this week. If we can just get through this one without significant injury and planning for a victory of course, then we will have a week off to fully recover and get ready for the next one.”
That next one, after the much-needed break, will feature the Tigers oening their District 3-1A slate at home with a long-storied and traditionally bitter rival game on October 6 as they are set to entertain LaSalle.
Gators should get used to winning
Lakeview head coach Andy Boone has expected a change in attitude and culture in north Natchitoches Parish when it comes to high school games on the gridiron on Thursday and Friday nights.
Standing at 2-1 heading into a battle with LaSalle Friday night in Olla, Boone’s Gators have found new energy and motivation towards their goal of improvement.
“Winning needs to be normal here,” Boone, in his first season at the helm in Campti, began as he analyzed his Gators’ status during the non-district portion of the 2023 campaign. “They didn’t believe me back in the summer when I told them they would start to be recognized if they worked hard, were dedicated to our goal, and played with the aggression that we have to play with to be successful. Now, it’s exciting for them to see their names in the media.”
The Gators have shown improvement and are starting to appear on the radar of prep analysts across the state. Lakeview boasts two running backs that have caught the eye of enthusiasts through the first three games as Kaleb Collins has recorded 625 yards rushing while Amarion Pierre has amassed 581 yards on the ground. Both running backs surpassed the 200-yard mark in each of the last two weeks.
“In 14 years at Avoyelles, I never experienced that,” Boone continued. “They deserve the recognition and the offensive line is a huge part of that. Those guys have worked hard and are filling the cracks each week and are steadily getting better.
“I am very proud of the work they have put in and we still have a lot to do. But, now, they are seeing the results of what we have been trying to do here, changing a culture to believe in winning.”
Boone added that LaSalle provides the next challenge in the building process. The Tigers are on the upswing as well, tallying three wins in as many outings. LaSalle pummeled opponents to a difference of 123-20 on the scoreboard with eight points being the most scored against their defense in one outing. The Gators won last year’s matchup 28-6.
“We are very optimistic,” a very measured Boone stated. “This is a slow process but the kids are getting better every week. We have come a long way in short time since I arrived here but we also are aware that we really need to take a step up because I know what awaits us in district. LaSalle is the next challenge in taking that step up.”
