Three of four parish prep teams notch opening week grid victories

Three of the four Iberville Parish high school football teams notched gridiron victories last week to begin the 2009 season.

Plaquemine High ended a regular season losing streak that went back to late in the 2007 campaign by beating Lusher Charter by a 34-0 score Friday in New Orleans. Ameer Deggs led the way with 130 yards rushing, three TDs on the ground, and two TD passes to receiver Reggie Travis.

Single A number two ranked St. John High romped to a 38-0 victory over hosting 4-A Belaire High Thursday night in Baton Rouge. Josh Johnson and Da’Vante Williams scored two TDs apiece, while QB Mike Martinez accounted for 166 yards total offense.

East Iberville High also won big, beating a first-year varsity football team from Mount Hermon High by a 59-12 score. Senior back Mitch Johnson rushed for three touchdowns and returned a fumble for a fourth score. QB Brandon James ran 60 yards for one score and passed for another. The Tiger defense forced five turnovers and scored on three of them returning the miscues.

White Castle High was the only parish club to suffer a defeat. They fell by a 27-6 score to upper classification Riverside Academy. Despite the loss, QB Ronald Johnson had a big game, throwing for 166 yards and a TD and rushing for 90 more yards. Six times the Bulldogs reached the red zone, but failed to score due to penalties, cramping injuries, and mistakes. Riverside scored most of its points in the latter stages of the game.