R/L Game Of The Week – C.E. Byrd Yellow Jackets vs East Ascension Spartans

Normally this time of the season you would not see a team from the south play a northern Louisiana team but due to the shake up in schedules and the ever present COVID-19, things are different during the 2020 Season.

One of the matchups that evolved during Week 5 included East Ascension traveling north to Shreveport for what would become a top 5A matchup against #10 C.E. Byrd.

The Spartans were set to play district rival Dutchtown but due to COVID restrictions the game had to be cancelled.  That left East Ascension looking for an opponent for Week 5.  C.E. Byrd was slated to play Benton; however, after COVID issues arose within the Benton program their game was cancelled.  This lead to one of the most exciting and unexpected matchups in the 5A Classification.

Byrd came into the game undefeated and  with one of the most lethal offenses in the state.  Coach Suggs Wing T, run first style, offense is calculating and hard to defend.  It tends to pound on opposing defenses unmercifully.  On the defensive side of the ball the Jackets are very talented and have a lot of speed to the ball.  It is easy to say it is one of the top defenses in the state especially at 5A.  They are led by two very aggressive and physical defenders, senior defensive tackle Carson Bruno (La Tech Commit) and senior linebacker/safety Makarios Brown Jr., (NSU Commit)

Offensively Byrd is led by Sophomore QB Lake Lambert (6’2″ 183).  Lambert runs the Byrd offense with poise and precision.  As a passer, he has a smooth drop and can roll out of the pocket to deliver an accurate, pin point pass to the receiver.

Byrd would jump out to a fast start when junior running back Mitchell Ramsey would return the opening kickoff for a touchdown.  Byrd took a quick lead 7-0 with only 13 seconds ticking off the clock.

East Ascension answered when senior Kael Babin would take the ensuing kickoff and find an open seam to get the ball down to the 44 yard line.  The Spartan offense would set up their first drive but Byrd’s defense would hold and force the Spartans to punt.  Senior linebacker Makarios Brown Jr., (NSU Commit) would make the perfect read on a screen pass and make the stop for a loss on the play.

One the next offensive drive for the Jackets, sophomore quarterback Lake Lambert would find senior wide receiver Kellum Humphrey for a 35 yard pass play for a touchdown. This would be the first passing TD of the season for Byrd, who predominantly relies on the pounding run game with their offense. The extra point was good extending Byrd’s lead to 14-0 1:37 Left in 1st Qtr.

Spartans defense, being put back on their heels, did not break and held on during the next drive forcing Byrd to decide to go for it on 4th down or punt. Byrd set up to go for it but then ran their offense off the field and the punt team on as the play clock rolled down.  They were able to get the punt off with just 3 seconds left on the play clock. Spartans would field the ball and take over at about the 20 yard line.

On the next series the Spartans would fumble and Byrd recovered setting them up inside the 25, knocking on the door for another quick score.  However, there would be a fumble on the exchange by Lambert and the Spartans would fall on the ball to regain possession but the Spartan offense would again stall and give the ball back to the Jackets.

Lambert would go back under center and take the snap, rolling out and pitching the ball to junior running back Mitchell Ramsey again. Ramsey would get to the corner and, with an outstanding block on the Spartan safety, would head down the sideline for a 58 yard touchdown run to extend the Jackets lead 21-0 (Extra point good) with 6:10 Left in Half.

The Jackets looked to be in full control.  However, if you know anything about the East Ascension Spartans like I do, they don’t stop fighting on the football field until the clock is at zero.  On the next possession Junior QB Troy Dunn would find junior running back Kendall Washington on a quick slant route and there was nothing but daylight to the end zone for Washington, as the Spartans would get on the board. 21-7 2nd quarter with 3:00 minutes left.

The Spartans would back that score up with a second score with 2:30 left in the half when Lambert would fumble for the second time in the game and Spartans would recover at the 40 yard line.  Dunn would then mount a series of offensive plays to lead the Spartans down the field which included a 50 yard pass and a dramatic diving catch by senior wide receiver (6’3″ 205) Navell Chopin.  Dunn and the Spartan offense would cap off the drive with a short fad pass to Chopin in the corner of the end zone for a touchdown to get the Spartans back into the game right before halftime and closing Byrd’s lead to 21-14. That would be the score as the teams went into the locker room at halftime.

East Ascension would get the ball to start the second half and on the opening kickoff would bring the ball out to the 26.  Dunn and the Spartan offense would look to continue the momentum from the first half.  Sophomore running back Walter Samuel would break free and weave through traffic, breaking tackles to move the ball downfield.  A facemask penalty by Byrd would tack on more yardage and the Spartans were in business at the 30 yard line.  Samuel would take the handoff again and take the ball down inside the 10 yard line.  It looked as if the Spartans were heading into the end zone but could not capitalize.

Byrd would then take over and on 3rd down and 3, Ramsey, the leading rusher for the Jackets, would take the pitch from scrimmage and go 59 yards to bring the ball down inside the 20 yard line. The Spartan defense, led by a host of players including Thompson, Banks, and Boykins, would stand tall in the red zone and force a turnover.

The defensive struggle would continue as both teams fought hard to keep the other team out of the end zone.  The biggest defensive play for the Jackets came right before the 4th quarter when senior defensive tackle Carson Bruno and senior defensive end Luke Miletello mounted an all out assault as they exploded off the line and broke through the Spartan offensive line to sack Dunn in the backfield to force a 4th down as the 3rd quarter came to an end. (Byrd holding a slim lead of the Spartans 21-14)

The Jackets would then create fireworks to start the 4th quarter when Lambert would hit senior William Berry (ATH, 4.0 GPA 29 ACT) for a 70 yard catch and scamper to the end zone at the 10:51 mark, to extend Byrd’s lead 27-14.

East Ascension would answer as Dunn and the Spartans offense would put together a solid drive.  Dunn would pick up much needed yardage with his legs and get the ball down inside the 10 yard line, 1st down and goal.  Dunn would then go to his top receiver of the night who would again deliver.

Navell Chopin (Sr. WR 6’3″ 205), the BIG MAN, would have the perfect pass delivered in the back of the end zone. Even double coverage couldn’t stop Chopin as he would go up over the defenders and snag the ball for a Spartan touchdown bringing East Ascension to within 7 – East Ascension 20 Byrd 27 with 8:50 left in the game.

With time running out, the Spartan defense continued to work hard against Byrd’s Wing-T offense.  On third and 16, the Jackets attempted to stretch out the play on the speed option but the Spartan defense, led by Blake Thompson, wasn’t fouled and covered the gap well to make a big stop and force Byrd to punt with 6:06 left to play in the game. Spartan would get the ball back but on 4th down Dunn would be intercepted by #15 Sr. FS Brayden Hermes for the Yellow Jackets with 3:00 minutes left in the game.

The #10 Rated (5A) Yellow Jackets would then run out the clock and gather a much earned win to remain unbeaten on the season with a final score C.E. Byrd 27 East Ascension 20.

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