October 6, 2023

Chat with Coach Bonis #6: Karr Review, Jesuit Preview

by Brother Neal Golden, S.C. (CJ ’57)

"Brother Martin played perhaps their best game of the season Friday night at Tad Gormley Stadium when they lost 19 - 7 to powerful District 9-5A foe Edna Karr.

The Crusaders started fast and dominated the first quarter. The Crimson defense held the Cougars without a first down on five of their six first half possessions. The result was a 7 - 0 lead at the half that could have been larger. 

Coach Mark Bonis, what caught Karr off guard? 

“We gave them different looks they weren’t prepared for. We had a really good defensive plan. With us holding the football, we got them out of rhythm. We didn’t want them to get on a roll because they can score points in bunches. We wanted to make the game ugly and non-rhythmic. We wanted to stay in front of the chains and take our time.

“Defensively we gave them multiple looks they weren’t prepared for. Their quarterback was a first-year starter.”

The Crusaders converted twice on third- and fourth-down plays on their opening drive to set up a 43 yard field goal by junior Grayson Smith. But a personal foul penalty against Karr caused Coach Bonis to take the points off the board in hopes of scoring a touchdown. But a fumble on the next play thwarted that strategy.

What was your thinking when you accepted the penalty?
“The penalty gave us the ball inside the 10. We had confidence in our offense. Against an explosive team like Karr, field goals won’t get it done.
“We felt good about our run game with all our backs healthy. We couldn’t know that a play or two later we would put the ball on the ground.”

Or that later in the game, two of the three running backs in the rotation would leave the field with injuries.

After Karr went three-and-out again, the Crusaders broke the scoring ice on an 18 yard pass from QB Seth Dazet to sophomore WR Rex LeBlanc, who scampered past a defender around the right side into the end zone.

Continuing to dominate, the Crusaders drove into Karr territory in the second quarter only to lose a fumble again.

“In order to beat a team like Karr, there is little room for error.”

The second half belonged to the Cougars, who finally got on the board in the third quarter when junior TaRon Francis returned a punt 58 yards for a touchdown to tie the score. Late in the third, Ole Miss commitment Rahji Dennis, a state champion sprinter, caught a quick pass near the left sideline and raced 75 yards to put the Cougars ahead for the first time.

With the Crusader offense struggling to gain traction throughout the second half, Karr put the game on ice on Dezemen Favorite’s 23 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. “In the second half, Jordan West had to play running back by himself. Because he got tired, we had to throw the football to get their guys out of the box. You’re going against two four-star backs and a five-star in their secondary.

“When you lose two tailbacks, you have to depend on a freshman and two sophomores. That puts more pressure on the quarterback. Instead of managing the game, he has to make throws downfield, and that’s where their strength is.”

The Crusaders now prepare for the annual clash with Jesuit Friday night at Tad Gormley Stadium.

“They’re very similar to last year. Coach Manale is doing the same stuff offensively and defensively, and they’re well coached. Their quarterback is big, 6’4,” and can run. They have two really good backs, and they’re young but skillful at the receiver spot.

“They have the same mindset as us. They like to rotate linemen to keep guys fresh. They try to formation you, and they hide the tight ends really well.

“They run the ball at you. If you lose concentration, they’ll take a big shot with their receivers.

“From a defensive standpoint, their front seven is really good. And they have a junior linebacker, Wyatt Mire, who’s played for a year and a half. Their two safeties and overhang linebacker fly around to the football.”

Have you had a good week of practice?

“Yes, in all three phases. The kids have been locked in. I told them I enjoyed being part of practice this week.

“We’ll have to win games in boring fashion with old school Brother Martin football.” He added with a chuckle, “Bob Conlin has been sending us different ways to attack things.”

Let’s pack our side of Tad Gormley Stadium tonight to root the Crusaders to victory."