Morgan City ends district losing streak

A black cloud loomed over South Terrebonne Memorial Stadium before from Friday’s District 8-4A opener between the Morgan City Tigers and Ellender Patriots.

Was that a sign that Tigers head coach Mark Millet would stretch his four-year losing streak in district contests to 0-24?

For nearly 59 minutes, it looked so.

But with 1:07 left in the game, Tiger quarterback Corey Navarro found a diving Jacobie Brown in the left corner of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown in the Tigers’ 12-8 victory.

“In the tough districts we have been in, any district win is a good win.” Millet said. “I’m proud of the kids. They have been working their butts off. We know every week is going to get rougher and rougher. We’re not stupid.”

The head coach later admitted he never saw Brown’s touchdown catch.

Tigers players, none of whom had ever experienced a district victory, erupted in celebration after the game.

Morgan City’s last district victory came in District 7-3A play over Berwick 35-13 on Oct. 15, 2004.

The win came with some high drama along the way. On the Tigers second to last drive, Morgan City was stopped on fourth and goal from the one-yard line.

On the play before the game-winning touchdown, Tiger senior tailback Troy Smith ran a left sweep eight yards for an apparent touchdown. However, the Tigers were penalized for holding, erasing the score.

“I was ready to whip somebody’s (butt),” Millet said.

On the ensuing kickoff after the touchdown, Morgan City was called for 15-yard facemask penalty, putting Ellender on the Tigers’ 40-yard line.

Patriot quarterback Justin Billiot appeared to have thrown a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jermaine Johnson on the following play to retake the lead, but Ellender was called for holding, wiping out the score.

Finally Navarro, playing safety, intercepted a Billiot pass two plays later to secure the win.

Morgan City’s inability to win District 8-4 games has kept them from advancing to the Class 4A playoffs for the last two years.

In 2007, they jumped out to a 5-0 record before losing all five district games to end the season. Ellender made the postseason that year despite a 4-6 record because they went 2-3 in district.

Last year, the Tigers began 3-1 before going winless in their district schedule.

“In the brutal districts we have been in the last four years, we have to look at it from a different perspective,” Millet said. “This district has produced two state champions, three state finalists, and five state semifinalists. You have to take what you can get.”

Unlike the quick starts of the previous two years, Morgan City’s 2009 season began sluggishly prior to their two game winning streak.

The swine flu swept through most of the team, keeping many players out for the first two games against Walker and Berwick. But Millet feels his squad, especially the defense, has played well the last four games.

“We’re starting to play winning football, and it finally came together (Oct. 2) in the game against Jackson. Now we’re on a little roll here,” Millet said. “We just got to keep it going as long as possible.”

Winless district opponent the Helen Cox Cougars come to Morgan City on Friday. After four years without a district win, can the Tigers make it two in a row?

“I’m old enough to realize you’re going to win some and lose some,” Millet said. “I feel good for the kids and for myself. I can enjoy this win for a little while. I’m going to go into this next week feeling good.”