E.D. White still in the hunt for Dome game

Two years ago, the E.D. White Cardinals were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by Independence High School in dominating fashion.

Friday night, the two met in Thibodaux again with a much different result.

This time, it was the Cardinals who proved they belong, advancing to the semi-finals and moving one game away from possibly playing in the Superdome for a state championship.

Following the season’s script, the Cardinals ran their way to a 51-21 victory over the Tigers, advancing to the semi-finals of the Class 3A state playoffs behind a 128-yard, four-touchdown performance from quarterback Grant Chiasson.

Chiasson also threw for a score in the win.

In addition, Dylan Ledet rushed 19 times, gaining 133 yards and a score.

The win ends a 27-year semi-final drought for the Cardinals, who travel to Parkview Baptist in Baton Rouge Friday night. The winner will advance to the Superdome.

The Cardinals also upset Parkview Baptist in the first round of the 2007 season.

E. D. White head coach Kyle Lasseigne credited the win to his team’s hard work and believing in themselves.

“It’s just a great feeling,” he said. “This is what you play for – the opportunity to go to the Dome.”

Parkview Baptist 33, Patterson 21

The Patterson Lumberjacks saw a lot of junior running back Kenny Hilliard Friday night, just not enough of him in the end zone.

All while watching their opponents move the ball all over the field.

The bruising back racked up 171 yards on 15 carries with one score and added another 94 yards receiving with one touchdown in the Lumberjacks’ 33-21 season-ending loss to Parkview Baptist in the quarterfinals of the Class 3A playoffs.

It was a sour ending to an otherwise great season for the Lumberjacks, who finished as runner-up in District 8-3A.

“You are not going to win if you turn the ball over three times like we did,” Patterson head coach Tommy Minton said, “especially against a good team like Parkview Baptist.”

Despite falling behind 26-7 at halftime, the Lumberjacks fought back to cut the game to 26-21 in the third quarter.

Hilliard, whose 65-yard rushing score provided the Lumberjacks’ only points in the first half, added his second score of the night on a 67-yard reception in the third quarter.

But a potential game-leading drive was stalled when quarterback Nick Nolan fumbled on a quarterback draw.

From that moment on the Lumberjacks failed to regain any of the momentum.

“We couldn’t stop them on defense,” Minton admitted. “They gave us problems all night. They were a real physical team.”

The Lumberjacks will look to use this game as something to build on heading into the off season, the coach said.

During the post-game huddle, Minton told his team to “remember this feeling, and how it feels to get so close.

“I hope the underclassmen got a lot of this loss and it makes them work that much harder,” he added. “It’s going to sting for a while and I’m sure they don’t want to feel this way again. I hope it makes them hungry and they build on this for next season.”

West Monroe 45, Thibodaux 21

Thibodaux’s Trovon Reed’s spectacular high school career officially came to an end Friday night in Monroe.

The West Monroe Rebels’ fire power proved too much for the Tigers to handle.

The Tigers’ season ended with a 45-21 loss in 5A quarterfinal action.

After falling behind 7-0 in the first, Reed broke on a 63-yard scoring run to tie the game at 7-7.

It was the closest the Tigers would get the rest of the night.

The Rebels scored 28 unanswered points and carried a 35-7 lead into halftime.

Reed finished the game with 108 yards rushing with one score and 110 yards passing with one score.

Terry Ausama hauled in an 83-yard reception from Reed. And Trent Granier’s 16-yard scoring pass to Karmicheal Green accounted for the Tigers’ final score of the night.

Parkview Baptist’s Brooks Godberry (16) eludes Patterson’s Shaquille Austin as he runs for a first down Friday night. The Eagles defeated the Lumberjacks 33-21 in Class 3A quarterfinal action Friday night. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER