Brother Neal’s Chat with Coach Bonis #6: St. Augustine Wrap up, Rummel Preview

The Crusaders ran their record to 5-0 last Friday night at Yulman Stadium by beating St. Augustine 27-7. The crimson defense forced six turnovers, including four interceptions by CBs Davonn Moore ‘20, Jaiden Watson ‘20, and Nick Turner ’20 and LB Luke Schexnaildre ‘20. The Purple Knights gained only 62 yards on the ground and 264 total yards.

Jaylon Spears ’21 ripped off 131 yards on 26 carries and caught three passes for 38 more yards. QB Garrett Mmahat ’22 completed only five passes but directed a turnover-free offensive attack. Coach Mark Bonis explained, “We wanted to run the football and take some time off the clock, take our shots down the field. The best way to play St. Aug. is to out-physical them.” He added, “Playing St. Aug. is a personnel matchup problem. We knew that the ways we created explosion plays in the Jesuit game would not happen against St. Aug. So we played the old school game of ball control and field position. Win in the second half by wearing them down.”

The Crusaders have no time to rest on their laurels. Next up on the schedule are the undefeated Rummel Raiders who have yet to allow a touchdown this season. “It will be quite a challenge. It’s the best defense we’ve ever faced in terms of athletic talent and scheme. They have eight Division I commitments on the defensive side of the ball. They’ve played together for three years. But we do this because we enjoy competing. I hope the kids are as excited as the coaches are about it.” Junior QB Kyle Wickersham (#6), son of former LSU signal-caller Jeff Wickersham, leads an offense that boasts three DI commitments. His top receiver is LSU commitment Koy Moore (#2). The leading rusher is Logan Diggs (#3).

Bonis: “Their kicking game is solid. They’ve won the kicking game every week. They play their first string guys on the kicking units. We’ve excelled in special teams too. Jack Landry ’20 has been brilliant all year. People don’t understand how much of a weapon it is to have a kicker who puts the ball in the end zone on kickoffs 90% of the time.”

Turnovers will be crucial. “Our turnover margin is 14-to-1. Our only turnover was an interception on an overthrow by Mmahat vs. Ponchatoula.”

Bonis doesn’t make predictions, but he does expect “an old school Catholic League football game. Low scoring.”

Crusader fans are encouraged to cheer on the Crusaders to see if Bonis’s prediction comes true on Saturday, October 12th at Joe Yenni Stadium. Kick-off is at 2:00 p.m.

The game will also be live-streamed by Crescent City Sports and will air on NASH ICON 106.1 FM in the New Orleans area.