Blue Jays celebrate homecoming

The Blue Jays are back in the District 5-1A race after wins over False River Academy and Westminster Christian Academy.
With a homecoming victory over the North Central Hurricanes, St. Edmund (3-5, 2-1) will face Basile in the regular season finale with a chance for the district title on the line.
But Blue Jay head coach Thomas David is not looking past the winless Hurricanes (0-8, 0-3).
North Central has fallen to Basile (34-0), False River (18-12) and Catholic of Pointe Coupee (41-6) in district.
“They have some good skill athletes,” David said. “They can make big plays and if you let them hang around, they can make it a game.”
David said the Hurricanes are led by quarterback Dontarious Joseph, runningback Wilshawn Williams and wide receiver Jovonta Johnson.
Last season, the Blue Jays rolled to a 56-0 win over the Hurricanes.
North Central has won six games over the past seven seasons, but none of those were district victories.
The Hurricanes’ last district win came in 2004 with a 27-14 victory over Pointe Coupee Central.
“If the seniors want the season to continue after next week, then they have to be the guys who step up and make plays,” David said.
With the Blue Jay starting quarterback not available to play against Westminster, senior running back Gibson LaFleur gained 224 yards on 31 carries and completed 4-of-8 passes for 109 yards in the Blue Jays’ 32-20 win. The Blue Jays finished with 4-1 yards of total offense, with LaFleur accountable for 333 yards.
LaFleur also ran for three touchdowns and connected with Cole Bergeron for a 41-yard score.
“He is a gamer and a competitor,” David said of LaFleur. “We thought we would be able to run the football better in district than we could earlier in the season.”
David also praised the effort of William Chachere, who also filled in at quarterback during the game.
“He did a good job of stepping up and leading the team,” the coach said.
‘The team did a good job executing on both sides and I am pleased with their effort.”
David said it was important to finish the season strong to earn either the district title or a playoff berth.
“I think the upper classmen understand what the situation is,” he said. “It is more than a homecoming game, it is a chance to earn a playoff game and maybe a share of the district title.”
No. 10 Basile (7-1, 3-0) and Catholic of Pointe Coupee (5-3, 3-0) play Friday with the winner holding first place in the district.
“If Basile can beat Catholic, then next week will be a district championship ball game.”