Tigers end Jays’ season

NATCHITOCHES - The No. 13 Blue Jays fought to keep the game close against the No. 4 Tigers.
St. Edmund was able to battle St. Mary’s for three quarters before the undefeated Tigers broke the game open for a 34-8 win in the opening round of the Division IV playoffs.
“We had our chances but that is a microcosim of the year,” St. Edmund head coach Thomas David said. “We just couldn’t get it done.
“We were able to keep it a ball game until they stretched it out in the end,” the coach said. “I was proud of our guys’ effort as they battled to the end.”
After a scoreless first quarter that included a missed field goal by the Tigers and interception to end the Blue Jays’ first drive, St. Mary’s finally scored on a 40-yard run by Josh Hickman.
B.J. Bertus added the PAT as the Tigers led 7-0 with 8:42 left in the first half.
The Blue Jays then failed to convert on fourth down and St. Mary’s moved 65 yards in 10 plays as Hickman sealed the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run.
The PAT failed, but the Tigers had a 13-0 advantage with 49 seconds left in the half.
The two defenses dominated the third period, including a goal line stand by the Tigers to stop the Jays on fourth down at the St. Mary 4.
After the two teams exchanged punts, they also swapped turnovers.
Cole Bergeron recovered a fumble for the Jays, but on the very next play Bailey Shelton snared an interception for the Tigers.
After two more punt exchanges, St. Mary’s went 80 yards in just five plays as Garrett Vienne scored on a 10-yard run to cap the drive.
Aaron Howell connected with Drake Hale for the two-point conversion as the Tigers pushed ahead 21-0 with 10:46 left in the game.
The Blue Jays responded with a six-play, 67-yard drive to make the game close.
Gibson LaFleur dove into the end zone from 13-yard out and Drake Brunet connected with Bergeron for the two-point conversion as the Jays closed the gap to 21-8 with 9:23 left in the fourth quarter.
It took three plays for the Tigers to respond as Howell found Hale open for a 60-yard touchdown on fourth down.
Bertus’ PAT gave the Tigers a 28-8 lead with 7:47 remaining in the game.
The Blue Jays were stopped on fourth down and the Tigers then moved 43 yards in three plays, sparked by a 25 yard run by Howell.
Two plays later, Howell scored from 18 yards out to give the Tigers a 34-8 lead with 5:09 left in the game.
Donovan Ohnouka grabbed an interception with 3:55 left in the game to stop the Jays and seal the win for the Tigers.
LaFleur finished with 104 yards on 20 carries, while Cullen Brown had six catches for 97 yards.
“I am proud of the seniors,” David said. “They had a good run as they went to the playoffs every year and advanced to the quarterfinals twice.
“They have left a good legacy for the other classes to pursue.”