by Brother Neal Golden, S.C. ’57 CJ

Last Friday night, our Crusaders gave us a preview of Sunday night’s Saints game.
Halftime score: Brother Martin 31 Terrebonne 0 Final score: 38-7
Halftime score: Saints 31 Buccaneers 0 Final score: 38-3

Coach Mark Bonis and his staff preach a “next man up” mentality and that was beautifully illustrated in the non-district game against the Tigers from Houma. The top two running backs, seniors Jaylon Spears ’21 and Ryan Rouege ’21, were out of action. No problem. Junior Jordan Thomas ’22 rushed for 144 yards, including touchdown scampers of 28 and 52 yards. Sophomore Corey Lambert ’23, moved from the defense, had scoring runs of two and 42 yards. “We have the depth we need at running back,” says Coach Bonis. “That bodes well for the future. I’m proud of Jordan and Corey for stepping up.” Another explosion play came right before halftime when QB Garrett Mmahat ’22 lofted a gorgeous pass that WR Austin Jackson ’22 caught in stride over his shoulder and took into the end zone 55 yards downfield. Austin also had another 55-yard pass and run as well as a 69-yarder. He ended the night with three catches averaging an incredible 59.6 yards – surely a record as the Saders extended their undefeated streak to eight games against no losses.

Meanwhile, the Terrebonne offense could not get untracked against the crimson defense. The Tigers gained no first downs in the initial period and ended the first half with just two, both in the last 3:54. The only score for the visitors came when Jaylin Lucas returned the second-half kickoff 90 yards. The victory kept the Crusaders in the #2 spot in the state AAAAA rankings behind Acadiana, a non-select school in Lafayette.

Coach Bonis said, “We did some really good things in all three phrases – offense, defense, and special teams. The only negative was giving up the touchdown on our kamikaze team. We had the opportunity to sky kick it, but we’re working to improve our deep kick. We knew their #12 (Lucas) was a very good player. With everything going on this season, we have spent the least amount of time on special teams. We have a lot of catching up to do. The rest of the season into the playoffs, we’ll have to kick deep at some point in a game to the opponent’s best player. We want to play our best football at the end of the year. We have new faces on special teams. We’ve got to continue to work to get better.”

The Crusaders now prepare for their clash with another Tiger team, Holy Cross. Our Gentilly neighbors have a 1-4 record under a new coach in Nick Saltaformaggio, including losses to two opponents in common with the Crusaders, Jesuit and Rummel. “They’re a very dangerous football team,” says Coach Bonis. “They have five players who have been offered Division I scholarships with at least one more likely. RB Jaden Handy (#3) has an offer from Tulane. The quarterback, senior John Dade Wooton (#14), throws the ball very well.” Wooton’s top target is WR Jalen Johnson (#1) with almost 600 receiving yards.

The Crusaders know they can count on a spirited crowd at 7:00 p.m. Saturday night at Hoss Memtsas Stadium in Marrero.