Tigers end Blue Jays’ season

NATCHITOCHES – In a game where the two offenses totaled nearly 950 yards of total offense, No. 2 St. Mary’s rolled to a 55-34 quarterfinal win over No. 7 St. Edmund at Turpin Stadium.
“The beat us up front pretty good,” St. Edmund head coach Thomas David said. “They won the battle of the trenches early and got a big lead.
“We kept battling, we just couldn’t get over the hump.”
The Tigers (11-1) jumped out to a 16-0 lead in the first quarter as Hunter Bedgood scored on a 50-yarder and a 5-yard run.
The Blue Jays (7-4) struggled early as the offense was stopped on fourth down and a fumble snuffed their second drive.
St. Edmund closed the gap at the 9:45 mark of the second period when Drew Brown connected with Cullen Brown for a 54-yard touchdown.
The two-point conversion pass was intercepted as the Jays trailed, 16-6.
The Tigers answered with a 63-yard drive as Drake Hale scored on a 8-yard reverse.
Garret Vienne added the two-point conversion as ST. Mary’s led 24-6 with 8:34 left in the half.
The Jays responded with a 62-yard drive sealed with a 18-yard scoring strike from Drew Brown to Cullen Brown.
Drew Brown found Zach LaFleur open for the two-point conversion as the Jays closed the gap to 24-14 with 7:30 remaining in the half.
The Tigers moved 56 yards in six plays as Vienne scored on a 14-yard run.
Bedgood scored the two-point conversion to push the Tigers ahead 32-14 with 4:40 left in the second quarter.
St. Edmund kept pace as the Jays went 57 yards in just five plays, aided by a 32-yard pass and catch from Drew Brown to Cullen Brown.
On fourth-and 10, Drew Brown connected with Zach LaFleur for a 12-yard score.
The two-point conversion attempt failed but the Jays closed the margin to 32-20 with 3:17 left.
St. Mary’s scored the only points in the third period when the Tigers went 59 yards in 12 plays, capped by an 8-yard halfback pass from Sam Simons to quarterback Tyler McCain.
Bedgood added the two-point run as the Tigers led 40-20 with1:32 left in the third period.
The Jays threatened but a fumble on fourth down stopped the drive at the Tiger 4 early in the fourth quarter.
St. Mary went 87 yards in six plays, capped by a 20-yard score from Bedgood.
Simons added the two-point run to give the Tigers a 48-20 lead with 8:37 left in the game.
The Jays moved 61 yards in just four plays, aided by two huge catches by Cullen Brown including a 37-yard score.
Cole Bergeron caught the
two-point conversion as the Jays battled back to close the gap to 48-28 with 7:16 left.
St. Mary’s answered as Bedgood rumbled through the Blue Jay defense and scored on a 20-yard run.
B.J. Bertus made the PAT as the Tigers moved ahead 55-28 with 3:13 left.
St. Edmund’s final points of the season were the result of a 61-yard drive in just four plays as Drew Brown connected with Austin Sittig for a 18-yard touchdown with 1:11 remaining to pull the Jays closer, 55-34.
Drew Brown completed 18-of-30 passes for 373 yards and two interceptions to go with four touchdowns.
Cullen Brown had seven catches for 218 yards and three scores, while Zach LaFleur added 83 yards on seven receptions.
St. Mary’s had 447 yards on the ground as Bedgood finished with 298 yards on 27 carries.
The Tigers advance to the semifinals and travel to No. 6 Ouachita Christian 38-0 winners over No. 3 Central Catholic.
“They were a tough bunch of kids who battled all year long,” David said of his seniors and team. “They stepped up and competed and they have a lot to be proud of - including a district title.”