By LORI LYONS, Journal Sports
Alexandria Senior High took a long trip and came back with a big win, Tioga blew out rival Pineville, Buckeye improved to 3-0 for the first time in a long time, Holy Savior Menard finally has the Bishop Bowl trophy in its possession and Northwood-Lena scratched out its first win to highlight Week 3 for parish high school football teams.
In a battle of Class 5A top 10 powerhouses, No. 7 Alexandria made the trip to ninth-ranked Destrehan and came away with a 27-21 win to move to 3-0. It was the second year in a row the Trojans knocked off Destrehan. Last year’s 45-27 victory ended a 13-game win streak by the Wildcats, who reached the Non-Select Division I state semifinals while the Trojans played for the Select Division I state championship.
ASH won this year’s game with big plays, by capitalizing on Wildcat miscues and behind Kason Williams’ four touchdowns.
After the Wildcats took an early 7-0 lead, the Wildcats helped the Trojans to a tie with a slew of penalties that added up to 30 yards. Williams scored his first touchdown on a 1-yard run early in the second quarter.
Early in the third quarter the Trojans blocked a Destrehan field goal attempt and Kerrick Gaines took it back inside the Wildcats’ 5 and Williams ran in for his second score.
Williams ran for one more touchdown before hauling in a 50-yard pass from Karson Sellers to make it 27-14.
Destrehan staged a late rally to make it 27-21 and had one final possession with 20 seconds remaining, but time expired before the Wildcats could convert.
Tioga tears up Pineville’s perfect record
First-year Tioga head coach Dan Christman was pretty excited about his team’s 56-14 victory at Pineville. The Indians (2-1) broke open a close game by scoring 42 unanswered points. It was the first loss for the Rebels this season.
“It’s a rivalry game and the kids came out, we were a little too amped up, especially early on,” Christman said. “Once we got settled into the game it turned our way pretty good. It’s always emotional when you play a cross-town rival.”
Quarterback Cace Malone passed for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns plus he ran for a score. Wide receiver Kervin Johnson caught two touchdown passes and Jeremiah Hunter caught another. Kenny Ponthier scored on a 34-yard run and a 51-yard run. Kohen Henry scored on a 74-yard return of a fumbled snap on a Pineville field goal attempt.
Pineville’s Kelmarion Phillips scored on a 66-yard run and a 73-yard run.
Beginning to look worthy of attention in the state top 10 poll, Tioga blew out Leesville a week earlier and had a competitive opening loss to state power Sterlington.
Thriller moves Buckeye to best start in a decade
Buckeye running back Preston Willis rushed for 297 yards and two touchdowns on 31 carries to help the Panthers rally for a 27-26 victory over South Beauregard Thursday night. Willis scored the tying touchdown from 30 yards out with 1:47 remaining, then booted the decisive extra point.
Key players on defense were linebackers Ty Curtis and Gage Belgard and defensive back Brayden Paulk.
Buckeye is 3-0 for the first time since 2014.
Trophy time for Eagles, finally
Holy Savior Menard (2-1) won a squeaker Friday night taking a 7-6 victory over St. Mary’s and taking home the Bishop’s Trophy for the first time in the 5-year Bishop Bowl series.
Matthew Hicks scored the lone Menard touchdown and had an interception in the second half.
“You don’t see a lot of defensive battles, but this was definitely a defensive battle,” Eagles coach David Perkins said. “It was almost like from my era in the ‘70s. It was a great game.”
Northwood breaks through, Peabody overwhelmed on the road again
Northwood-Lena got its first win of the season, putting down Pickering 14-6. After opening with an impressive homefield rout of LaGrange, for a second straight week Peabody (1-2) went on the road and was blown out, falling at Fontainebleau 36-6.
Bolton forfeited its scheduled game at Lake Arthur.
Contact Lori at sportslyons@gmail.com