Blue Jays fall to Bulldogs

DONALDSONVILLE – Sixth-ranked Ascension Catholic jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead as the Bulldogs earned a 35-7 win over No. 11 St. Edmund in the opening round of the Division IV playoffs Friday.
“I was proud of the way our team fought and never gave up,” St. Edmund head coach Andy Hargroder said. “We stopped them in the second half as they were going for a big number on the scoreboard.
“Our seniors helped build the foundation for the future,” Hargroder said. “They left a lot for the younger guys.”
After forcing the Jays (4-7) to short punt on the opening drive of the game, the Bulldogs (7-4) scored on just one play when Jamar Barber swept right for a 28-yard touchdown run.
D.J. Giroir’s PAT gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 9:41 left in the first period.
The Blue Jays punted again and Ascension Catholic moved 75 yards in five plays, capped by Barber’s 52-yard scoring run.
The kick failed, but the Bulldogs led 13-0 with 4:34 remaining in the quarter.
A high snap on the Blue Jays’ next punt attempt gave the Bulldogs the ball at the St. Edmund 9.
In one play, Barber scored and Jai Williams ran in the two-point conversion to push AC ahead 21-0 with 2:20 left in the first period.
St. Edmund moved the ball into Bulldog territory on the next drive, sparked by 13-yard pass from Peter Miller to Brad Miller.
The drive died on fourth down inside the AC 40.
After forcing a Bulldog punt, the Jays mounted its best drive of the game moving the ball 75 yards on 12 plays.
Luke Doucet had several strong runs and Peter Miller connected with jack Miller for a 15-yard play.
Doucet broke loose for a long run as the Jays moved to the Bulldog 20.
Jack Miller moved the ball to the AC 3 and Doucet finished the drive with a dive into the end zone.
Jack Brown added the PAT as the Jays closed the gap to 21-7 with 1:17 left before intermission.
The Bulldogs quickly responded when Barber sped 84 yards on the ensuing kickoff.
The two-point conversion failed, but Ascension Catholic led 27-7 with 55 seconds remaining in the second period.
The Blue Jays were forced to punt on quick three-play series and the Bulldogs attempted to put more points on the board before the break.
After three straight incomplete passes, the Bulldogs had one final chance after face mask and roughing the quarterback flags moved the ball to the St. Edmund 21 with no time left.
But Giroir’s field goal attempt fell just short as the Bulldogs held a 27-7 lead at the break.
Ascension Catholic put the game away early in the third period as the Bulldogs moved 78 yards in six plays.
Javon Yarbrough connected with Barber and Rodney Blanchard on the drive to move the Bulldogs to the Blue Jay 29.
Then Yarbrough made a short toss to Barber who ran 29 yards for the score.
Romel Lavigne caught the two-point conversion pass to push the Bulldogs ahead, 35-7 with 8:41 left in the third period.
Neither team scored the rest of the game as the two defenses took over.
St. Edmund had the ball last late in the fourth quarter and the Jays almost added another score to the final.
Doucet had several strong runs as did Peter Miller.
On third down at the Bulldogs 40, Miller broke loose through the middle of the defense and raced toward the end zone before being tackled at the 12 on the game’s final play.
Doucet finished with 57 yards on 23 carries, while Peter Miller completed 5-of-7 passes for 86 yards.
Ascension Catholic now faces No. 3 Southern Lab in the regional round of the playoffs.