Eagles can't keep pace with ACHS in district opener

DONALDSONVILLE - St. John the Evangelist High School forced five turnovers but couldn't capitalize in a 34-13 District 8-1A opening loss to Ascension Catholic on Friday night at Floyd Boutte Memorial Stadium.

The Eagles (0-6, 0-1), under coach Oliver "Crickett" Crockett, were outgained in total yardage 187-88 in a defensive battle that featured a total of nine turnovers.

"We had our chances but couldn't come up with a big play when we needed it," Crockett said. "It was a very disappointing loss, especially when we had the ball inside their 1-yard line twice and didn't score but anytime you force five turnovers you have to feel pretty good.

"There really isn't an excuse as to how we played. We just made too many mistakes as a team and staff and I have to do a better job of preparing our kids for the game."

War Eagle quarterback Hunter Schnebelen rushed for 101 yards and one touchdown while completeing 5-of-19 passes for 51 yards.

Gavin Primeaux added 80 yards and one touchdown on the ground.

Bailey Whittington had two interceptions and Brennan Miller one. Benjamin Poirrier forced a fumble and recovered it and Nicholas LeFebvre recovered another.

James Martin led Ascension Catholic (4-2, 1-0) with three rushing touchdowns.

Martin's 2-yard burst put the Bulldogs on the board in the first quarter. Patrick Butler broke free on a 68-yard touchdown run and Martin added a 4-yard score to push the lead to 20-0 still in the second quarter.

Schnebelen scored from 7 yards to put the Eagles on the board before halftime and cut the deficit to 20-6.

But Bulldog quarterback D.J. Latino connected with Cleveland Fefie for a 39-yard touchdown reception to increase the lead.

Primeaux's 6-yard touchdown run and Tyler St. Germain's point after touchdown kick cut the deficit to 27-13 but Ascension Catholic answered with Martin's third score from 4 yards out to reflect the final tally with about nine minutes remaining in the contest.

The Eagles then drove to the Bulldog 1-yard line but again couldn't punch it in. Schnebelen connected with Primeaux for a 9-yard completion on fourth-and-long from the ACHS 29 and a facemask penalty gave St. John a first-and-goal.

Schnebelen's 8-yard run put the ball just outside the goal line but an offsides penalty sent the Eagles backwards and following consecutive runs for no gain by Gavin Landry, Schnebelen's fourth down pass to Poirrier fell incomplete in the end zone.

John Morgan Romig stuffed Martin for no gain but Latino rolled right and connected for a 14-yard completion to give the Bulldogs some breathing room.

A host of Eagles, including Romig, Whittington, LeFebvre, Landry, Brennan Tyson, Andrew Gulotta, Brandon Noel and Collin Crockett converged on Jaquel Wade to force a Bulldog punt before Schnebelen scrambled 40 yards on the final play of the game.

St. John returns to District 8-1A again this week when they host parish rival White Castle on Friday night at COPAC.