September 8, 2023

Chat with Coach Bonis #2: Madison Prep Review, St. Paul’s Preview

by Brother Neal Golden, S.C. (CJ ’57)

"The Crusaders started their 2023 season last Thursday night with a workmanlike 28-0 victory over AAA Madison Prep from Baton Rouge.

Junior QB Seth Dazet connected on three touchdown passes, which equaled the number he threw last year in seven starts. The first one went to senior RB Jordan West after the Crusaders recovered a muffed punt at the Madison Prep 27 midway through the first period. The other two scoring aerials landed in the hands of sophomore WR Brodie Dumontier.

West completed the scoring with a 1 yard rushing touchdown four plays after senior LB Marco Flores recovered an errant pitchout at the Madison 12.

Coach Mark Bonis: “I was happy the way we played offensively except for the fact of putting the ball on the turf. We got complacent after we jumped on top by two scores. From offensive line and running game standpoints, we controlled the line of scrimmage well and executed well tempo wise.”

On defense, you can’t do better than a shutout. “We got beat several times, and they didn’t complete the pass. We have to clean that up. I usually would harp on those things, but our guys did the best they could do in terms of preparation since they were hampered by not being able to practice in pads. This week, we finally got in a full week of normal practice in pads for the first time in three weeks. We’re more banged up from practice this week than from the game. We have to forge ahead and play ourselves back into shape.”

The Crusaders travel to Covington today to meet the St. Paul’s Wolves on their field for the second year in a row. The Crimson and Gold prevailed 28-14 last year.

“St. Paul’s got a lot better toward the end of the year,” says Coach Bonis. “This year, they’ve picked up where they left off last year. They run the ball well with two good backs and a big physical offensive line and two big physical tight ends whom they utilize in the passing game.

“They are talented and well-coached in all three phases of the game. They’re picked to win their district. They return all their linebackers, and two of the three down linemen played a bunch last year. Their kicker/punter will be one of the best in the state. He regularly kicks off out of the end zone.

“It will be a good test for us early on. Our schedule gets tougher as we go. We can’t turn ball over and expect to have the same type of success as we had last year.

“Seth did a good job last week. He was very efficient, completing 11 of 15 passes. Our receivers are very capable. We’re a young team, but I think we have a bright future.”

Make the trek to the Northshore and help root the Crusaders to victory #2."