E.D. White Cards topple Patterson

The Cardinals set the tone of the game in the first half, and fended off a late rally by Patterson to hold on to a 20-19 victory — avenging a 52-7 loss to Patterson last year.

On the first play from scrimmage, Scott Rodrigue intercepted Brandon Harden’s pass. The Cardinals offense answered with a 10-play, 60-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by Jacob Knight.

Patterson scored on the next possession — capping a seven-play, 74-yard drive when. Jimmy Smith ran in from three yards out. The extra point tied it at 7-7, but that would be all the Lumberjacks would score for the rest of the first half, with E.D. White leading 20-7 at the break.

Cardinals’ coach Kyle Lasseigne said that setting the tone early on was a key aspect of his team’s success. “After a 52-7 spanking last year, this was all I could think about,” said Lasseigne. “Playing this game at our place, and just hoping we could close that 52-7 gap, and give us a chance to win. We dominated the first half, and held on when it got tough. We went out and performed.”

The “tough” that Lasseigne was referring to came in the fourth quarter. With E.D. White holding a 20-7 lead, Patterson started the final quarter with a five-play, 20-yard scoring drive after a short punt by E.D. White. On the score, Kentrall Butler ran in from four yards out. However, Terrence Callais’ extra point was wide left, leaving the score at 20-13.

E.D. White got good field position on its next two possessions, starting from its own 31 and 44 yard lines. Still, the Lumberjacks defense held tight, giving its offense the ball at its own 38-yard line.

Taking possession with 3:19 left in the fourth quarter, Callais marched Patterson down the field in six plays for what could have been either the tying or go-ahead score. The touchdown came on a 39-yard pass from Callais to Calvin Wesley, where Wesley outjumped an E.D. White defender for the score.

Patterson opted to go for two, but Callais’ pass was tipped and intercepted in the endzone, making it 20-19 with 1:28 left in the fourth quarter.

“We went for two to win the game,” said Patterson coach Tommy Minton. “We’re not high percentage kicking extra points, so we thought we had as good a chance with the two point.”

With E.D. White getting the ball back, it appeared that Patterson would have to an opportunity to get a last shot.

The Cardinals had the ball fourth-and-seven at Patterson’s 47-yard line, however, a running into the kicker call negated what appeared to be a blocked punt. After taking a delay of game penalty, E.D. White punted it again, but this time, a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Cardinals a game-clinching first down. “I’m proud of our kids,” said Lasseigne. “We wanted field position in our favor, and we didn’t want to get beat deep. Our defense held up at the end, and our game plan worked tonight.”

Minton said early mistakes may have cost his team. “We were playing from behind, they made an interception on the first play, and they took advantage. Their kids played hard, and they had a great game plan.”

On the night, E.D. White out-gained 330-242.

Matt LeBlanc can be reached at (985) 876-3008 or matt@tri-parishtimes.com.