By Ron Brocato

Coaches often over extol the virtues of their opponent. It’s something that is ingrained in their psyche as they approach a game.

Although the most senior head coach in District 9-5A by years coaching in the league, Brother Martin’s Mark Bonis can’t help magnifying the potential of an opponent as he did last week when preparing this team for their 2026 season-opening game at Southside High in Youngsville.

Bonis was looking for a highly competitive match against a team that won 10 games a season ago. But as the game progressed, his Crusaders took advantage of a quick start to quell their coaches’ apprehensions by handily defeating the host Sharks, 38-19, on Sept. 4.

Now the Crusaders look toward another road game on Friday, Sept. 11, when they hop across the Causeway to Covington to face St. Paul’s, a Christian Brothers-run school that has dominated its district opponent in recent years.

Although St. Paul’s has fielded a team since 1936, by a historical account, it has played Brother Martin just five times, first in the 2006 Class 5A playoffs. The Wolves won that game, 20-7. But since Bonis and former St. Paul’s coach Ken Sears resumed the rivalry in 2022, the Crusaders have won four straight. And all have come on the road.

“It’s beneficial for both teams to the game over there,” Bonis said of why the series doesn’t alternate playing sites. “They don’t have to come over here and we’re guaranteed a Friday night game and not paying the high cost on the front end of renting a stadium and paying officials. I like to make that road trip because, in order to make a deep run in the playoffs, you have to find a way to win on the road. And it’s not a long trip.”

Since 2022 when it was the Division I state runner-up, Brother Martin has won over the Wolves by the scores of 28-14, 23-10, 31-28 and 37-27, always on the second week of the season.

The Crusaders’ opponent has a new coach after 27 years of Sears at the helm. But Joshua Gast, who coached at North Iberville for two years, is no stranger on the Northshore. He’s a St. Paul’s grad and has served as an assistant to Sears from 2013-19.

The Wolves got off to a disappointing start last week, losing to five-time state champion Destrehan, 35-14. Bonis noted that the Wolves are still learning a new offensive system from the packages they had used over the last two decades. And there may be a learning curve.

But Brother Martin was certainly hitting on all cylinders against Southside in its season debut. And that includes all three phases of the game. “There was a playoff atmosphere, and we played with lots of intensity and very physically. And I’m proud of our guys for that effort,” the coach said.

“In all three phases of the game–offense, defense, and special teams–we played as a complete unit. The offense was in sync and the defense swarmed the ball, and everybody on the special teams truly worked together to execute the game plan,” the coach continued.

The Crusaders got off to a fast start, opening a 21-0 lead while the Sharks stumbled and fumbled their way into a deficit. They turned the ball over four times and allowed the Crusaders to execute their game plan to near perfection. And their head coach, Jess Curtis, was quick to notice.

“They (the Crusaders) had a great game plan and beat us in every aspect of the game,” the coach said. “They played great and are well coached. And we didn’t.”

Bonis concurred with his opponent’s evaluation, adding, “Getting off to a good start gave us a big advantage. We were three-for-three in the red zone (scoring touchdowns instead of settling for field goals). We created explosions and protected the football. We won the turnover battle, 4-0, three interceptions and one fumble we caused.”

Bonis used his five-star senior wide receiver sparingly, but Easton Royal made great use of his time on the field by catching five passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. His playing time was part of the offensive game plan.

“We didn’t play Easton much," Bonis acknowledged. "He might have taken a total of 15-17 snaps. We’re methodical on how we use him, trying to keep him fresh.”

Now 1-0 and getting mentioned on the early state rankings, the Crusaders turn to an opponent they’d like to see more of.

“I wish St. Paul’s was in the Catholic League. It would be a perfect fit for all of us. It’s a Catholic school and very talented, and what they have done in the past in dominating their district is remarkable," he said. And lately, the Wolves have provided early victories for his team.