The Crusader gridders defeated Vandebilt Catholic of Houma 28-14 last Friday night in their last tune-up before Saturday’s regular season opener against Petal (Miss.), a high school in a suburb of Hattiesburg, at 2:30 p.m. in Tad Gormley Stadium.
Coach Mark Bonis had mixed emotions about the Jamboree game.
“We were sloppy, but we did some good things offensively. We wanted to run the ball, and the last two weeks (including the scrimmage against Covington) our offensive line has played well. Our running backs played much better the second half,” Bonis said. “It’s a process with them because they’re all pups (two sophomores and a freshman).
The receiving corps did “some good things,” and Quarterback John-Paul Pierce did a good job of reading the Vandebilt defense, which was trying to force the Crusaders to run the ball.
“The biggest improvement we must see is in ball security. We have to do a better job in protecting the football. We turned the ball over three times (two fumbles, one interception). It’s very difficult to win football games when you lose the turnover battle.”
Bonis is upbeat about Saturday’s game.
“I think our offense has a chance to be very dynamic,” Bonis said. “We have a long way to go but we showed some promise.”
Bonis is also optimistic that the defense can be really good.
“Our defensive front is very young, but they show a lot of promise. The linebackers played well.”
The Crusaders, like all high school teams, are adjusting to new rules aimed at player safety. The officials called four personal foul penalties against Martin in the jamboree, three of which Bonis strongly disputed.
Petal will provide a formidable challenge. The 6-A school has “phenomenal facilities. I’m excited about playing there next year to start our season. They have the biggest high school stadium I’ve seen in Louisiana or Mississippi.”
The Panthers have two regular season games under their belts. They defeated Gulfport 28-21 after losing to Hattiesburg 43-37.
“They’re one of the fastest teams I’ve ever seen,” Bonis said. “They do a great job of getting their athletes in space offensively. We’ve got to do a good job of tackling. They’re big up front. Their key player is No. 8, Nataurean Watts. He plays mostly at receiver but also at tailback and quarterback. He’s also a return guy. He’s the best player I’ve seen live this season.”
And as for their defense, Bonis said, “Defensively, they’ll line up and play us man-to-man. They’re real fast in the secondary.”
They have an enormous nose guard whom Bonis estimates to be 6’5” 380 lbs.
“In order for us to win, we have to out-physical them. We have to win conditioning-wise. We’re going to pick up the tempo offensively. I’m hoping it will be 100 degrees. If the game’s close in the fourth quarter, we’ve got a good shot because of our conditioning and mentality.”
The Crusaders lost two more days of practice this week with the tornado warning Monday and schools closing Tuesday.
“I guess you have to look at the bright side of things: Our guys should at least have fresh legs,” Bonis said.
—- By Brother Neal Golden, S.C.
