Patterson advances in playoffs as Terrebonne Tigers fall

The Patterson Lumberjacks survived a muddy, penalty-plagued bi-district game Friday to advance in the Class 3A playoffs with a 27-18 victory over the Capital Lions.

Meanwhile, the Terrebonne Tigers were done in by strong winds and a powerful Archbishop Rummel Raiders ground game in its Class 5A playoff loss 28-14 on Saturday.

The reward for the No. 15 Lumberjacks’ (8-2) win is a rematch at the No. 2 Westlake Rams (9-0) Friday night in the regional round.

Last year, Westlake defeated Patterson 36-7 in the semifinals.

“We’ve been waiting for this all year. It’s revenge time,” said sophomore tailback Kenny Hilliard. “We’re ready to get back and face Westlake.”

The Rams returned 18 starters from last season’s team, which came within a point of winning a state title. They lost to Parkview Baptist 19-18.

Despite the sloppy field and Patterson committing 12 penalties, Hilliard and Johnson, All-State first team and honorable mention selections respectively in 2007, were in top form versus Capital.

Hilliard had 38 carries for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson went 6-for-12 for 104 and one touchdown.

But it was the Lumberjacks’ defense that won the game, according to Patterson head coach Tommie Minton. They kept Lion quarterback Terrance Broadway and his stable of speedy running backs in check.

Patterson finds itself in almost the exact same position as they were in last season’s playoffs.

In 2007, as a 15th seed, Patterson defeated the second-seeded Notre Dame Pioneers 28-21 in the regional round.

Minton hopes memories of the triumph at Notre Dame and the debacle at Westlake will drive his players to victory over the Rams on Friday night.

On the other end of the spectrum, Terrebonne never got in an offensive rhythm.

During the regular season, the Tigers averaged over 37 points per game, but the Rummel defense held them to 144 yards and seven first downs.

Meanwhile, the Tiger defense got pounded for 246 yards and four touchdowns by Raiders senior tailback Jarrell Johnson.

Despite the loss, the Tigers had its most wins (6) in a season since 1995, and made the playoffs for the first time since 2004. Second-year Tigers head coach Gary Hill credited his seniors for the team’s success this season.

“I’m proud of this team. They turned the program around.,” he said. “The coaching staff and the school thanks them.”

Hill has known many of the seniors since their days playing football at Houma Junior High, where Hill used to be the head coach.

“I’ve known some of those kids for seven years,” he said. “I’m getting teary-eyed thinking about this being our last game together. I feel like I’m losing my own sons.”