By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports
Week 9 of the high school football season went about as well as St. Mary’s coach Kedrin Seastrunk could have asked.
The Tigers went south on I-49 to Lena and came home with a 52-12 win over Northwood.
Sophomore running back John Paul Thibodaux scored three touchdowns in the first half. Braylon Normand threw two touchdowns, one to Dennison Morgan and another to Haiden Nelson.
With a 36-0 halftime lead, Seastrunk was happy to clear the bench in the second half – which made for some memorable moments.
“We got a chance to allow a lot of our new guys, younger guys – not that we’re not young but younger — guys to be able to play, have fun and create those experiences,” Seastrunksaid. “That’s what we want, the guys who went through all the grind and all the summer to have their moment. To be able to give them their moment was kind of special.”
Seastrunk waffled back and forth a bit over which was his favorite moment of the night.
Sophomore quarterback Preston Tilly ran for a touchdown.
Vietnamese foreign exchange student “Vincent” Hung Dang kicked his first ever PAT in his first year playing high school football.
First-year player Abram Nichols, a sophomore, made his first couple of tackles.
“Here’s a guy that, all season, I probably heard him say six words,” Seastrunk said. “To see him all excited, that was good.”
Another moment was when eighth grader Thomas Hardy got in the game on defense and made one of his first tackles. “Him looking up at us like, ‘Coach, I did it!’”
Then there was the moment freshman Jacob Thibodeaux, the younger brother of sophomore J.P. Thibodeaux, scored his first touchdown. “It was special to have both Thibodeaux brothers score in a game,” Seastrunk said. “I’m looking forward to having a lot of that for years to come.”
Lakeview coach Lawrence Seawood did not have as enjoyable a night as his team lost to Montgomery, 50-20, to remain winless on the year. There were a couple of Gators who had standout efforts.
Ladarrien Logan had a 105-yard interception return for a touchdown — from end zone to end zone. And always reliable senior Omarion Pier rushed for 150 yards and one score.
“We’re just working on the fundamentals,” Seawood said. “We’re working on getting our young kids to be more successful. We’re going to get set and get ready for next year.”
There’s one game remaining for the Gators – the District 3-1A showdown between the two parish teams. St. Mary’s and Lakeview, and the two first-year coaches in Seastrunk and Seawood (and former Demon teammates) tee it up Thursday night at Turpin Stadium.
The Tigers are still in contention for the Select Division IV playoffs in two weeks, with a No. 25 power ranking. There are 24 slots in the playoff bracket and victory this week might make the difference.
Contact Lori at sportslyons@gmail.com