The Edna Karr Machine Rolls In To St. James For A Big Win – 56-14 Victory
Well disciplined, efficient execution of the offense, relentless physical defense, – the definition of Edna Karr Cougars.
St. James came into the game looking to establish an identity for their first home game as the community continued to recover from Hurricane Ida. Due to Hurricane Ida damage the Wildcats had had to play their first three games on the road.
The game started with the Cougars making a humbling donation to the St. James Wildcats, for their continued hurricane relief effort. A great gesture of brotherhood within the football community.
Once the football was on the field, the fireworks were not just for the team entries.
The starting kickoff landed in the hands of LSU Commit Aaron Anderson who took the ball 99 yards off right side and down the sideline with a wall of Cougar players to protect him as he strolled into the end zone. Anderson would end the night with a 99 yard kickoff return for a touchdown and 97 yards in reception yards with one touchdown.
A J Samuel, Edna Karr junior quarterback, was 17 of 24 passing for 275 yards and two touchdowns, he added 42 yards rushing. The Cougars would end the night with over 400 yards of total offense. (TDs – 17 yard strike to Shyves Johnson, 54 yard score to Aaron Anderson)
A.J. Samuel Edna Karr
St. James junior quarterback Marquell Bergeron hit Kobe Brown for a 45 yard touchdown to take their first lead of the game early in the first half 7-6. After a muffed punt, senior wide receiver Shazz Preston scored from six yards out, fighting his way to get across the goal line for the touchdown to even the score at 14 all.
Karr came right back when Samuel hit Shyves Johnson for a 17 yard reception with 53 seconds left in the first quarter to give the Cougars the lead 20-14. The Cougars would not relinquish the lead from that point on.
Karr has no shortage of offensive threats. Karr’s offense used eight different running backs and eleven different receivers in their offensive attack against St. James. They kept the Wildcats off balance all night defensively.
Senior transfer Jaylin Lucas, Tulane Commit and former Terrebonne Tiger, had two scores on the night – a 15 yard run and a 20 yard run. Lucas transferred to Edna Karr after his family was displaced from Hurricane Ida. Lucas is set to graduate in December and enroll at Tulane. “After the hurricane I had a chip on my shoulder. I am praying for Houma and putting them on my back this season during their recover.” stated Lucas.
One of quickest and most illusive offensive threats of the night, Deantre Jackson was almost unstoppable when carrying the ball. The 5’8″ 165 junior running back used his quick moves, sharp cuts, and fast feet to evade tacklers all game. Jackson scored two touchdowns on the night, one from 2 yards out right before the half and then added an 86 yard touchdown run to extend Karr’s lead 50-14 with 9:23 left in the third quarter. He finished with a team high 97 yards rushing.
St. James had opportunities to keep the game close but couldn’t seem to take advantage of those opportunities and turn them into points. Two near interceptions that were dropped or went through the hands of the defenders would have given the ball back to the offense inside the 30 yard line or led to pick six scores. Defensively Karr kept the Wildcats “up tempo and quick strike offense” in check a majority of the night.
Head Coach Valdez was excited about the almost full capacity crowd. The support of the close knit community and hardworking volunteers are a big part of the Wildcats success over the years.
“That was a lesson for us and a comeback to reality for us,” stated senior leader Shazz Preston, “It was a learning experience….we just have to get back to day one.” “I think we did good but we had some mistakes and Edna Karr capitalized on those mistakes. We minus the mistakes and we would have had a game.”
St. James will meet rival Lutcher next Friday night in a District 9-3A contest. The game is known as “The Battle of St. James Parish”
Edna Karr will take on Warren Easton next week at Pan American in a non-district game.
Players to keep an eye on from this game:
St. James Wildcats
Marquell Bergeon
Cyler Christmas (6’2″ 185 3.5 GPA) one of the most versatile players on the St. James squad. Started as a wide receiver, moved to defense as the free safety last year and can also play quarterback if needed. All around tough player that plays hard every down.
Shazz Preston
Jermaine Mitchell (6’8″ 309) Long body frame, good feet and very active hands. Holds his balance well, gets and maintains leverage well, and good focus against more experienced defensive linemen.
Edna Karr Cougars
Johnathon Bax DL/OLB (6’3″ 225) Monster off the edge, fast, physical, long athletic body frame.
Kells Bush DL – solid defensive lineman for the Cougars
Jaden Newton LB – tall rangy linebacker that will get after the ball carrier
Deantre Jackson RB – fast and furious, just like the movie…..
Jawin Newman RB – solid threat at running back and also will go out of the backfield or play slot on pass plays
Shyves Johnson WR – also plays basketball, big long target at receiver that shows good hands. Transfers his basketball skills to the football field very well.
